Fantastic. I've written a GREAT script I promise and I could really do with an American's perspective (I'm from the UK). It's a thriller and actually is a thriller, not a drama with thrillery bits. It's about a single mum whose fiance dies in a car crash and a predatory male nurse worms his way into her life. Concept-wise It's kind of like SLEEPING WITH THE ENEMY, with a bit of DIE HARD thrown in. I've just done a major rewrite on it, so I'd like to hear people's thoughts.

Fancy reading it?

Thanks and best wishes, Lucy

PS. (I can dig your POV and the other guy's. I like to help aspiring writers 'cos of the help I got - I'm still not *there* yet but I've got along as far as I have with some great pointers from professionals. But also a script reader I do get wound up by people randomly sending me scripts and expecting free feedback!)

Oh - might help if I leave some contact details. My email is Bang2write"at"aol"dot"com. No worries if it doesn't sound like your thing though.

So I should let Olson contact me first?? Fair enough.

Scott,

I have a new blog I thought you and some of your readers might like:

http://cineacraze.blogspot.com/

I was the guy who asked Josh Olson to read my script. I can't believe he was such a jerk about it! It was about a man who discovers that an old friend from his shady past as a coke dealer is actually a shark -- literally! -- and has to teach him to fit into the high society of 17th century polynesia. It was kind of a thriller-comedy-drama-murder mystery-science fiction musical. Basically, the next Jurassic Park.

Fuck you Olson!

Scott, thanks for this post. I went into the original article, and enjoyed a good laugh. God bless Josh Olson. I can't believe he melted down like that. Dude's a pro with credits to his name. He should KNOW how people on the outside think, and gate his exposure to them. Melting down like that... Funny. Very funny.

Scott, if you ever have time and are WILLING to read any of my scripts I'd love to get your feedback. I TRY to be professional about knowing when is the time to ask, and when is the time to hold back. BUT if you're opening the door... willing to read... well then by golly I'm ALWAYS going to take my shot. My hope is that after reading of my scripts that you REFER it to someone in the industry who can champion it on in the process of becoming a movie.

E.C.'s scripts he wants to get in Scott Myers hot little hands:

1. "Indians of the Ancient Plains": why, because its a triller with a great message that I think you will personally respond to and like.

2. "A King for God's People?": why, because you went to seminary.

3. "The Rival Kings of Israel": why, (same as #2)

4. "Cowboy Alien Diaries": why, because this has roles for Naomi Watts, Liev Scriber, and Hugh Jackman in it. How cool is that?!

5. "The Judas Project": why, low budget, low risk. I've always kinda thought this was a good "breaking in script."

I've written a bunch of other scipts, comedies and the like, but I'm not sure if you'd be into them. Maybe they're a conversation for another day...

- E.C. Henry from Bonney Lake, WA

Ok - so I am not a writer - although I do blog on occasion so I will not ask you to read my screen play. I am however a graphic artist who constantly gets this one - my cousin, neighbor, son, daughter, you choose, likes to draw, wants to be an artist, looked at an oil painting once - would you hire them? But I also was lucky and had an artist be kind to me and help me discover my path. So I do offer to look at most portfolios and offer advice including - do not quit your day job.
Thanks for a great article. Hope at least a few of them are gems.

I'm so glad you posted this because I thought it was kind of shocking. The piece actually brought up a completely different issue for me: I'm an aspiring writer living in Los Angeles and I have friends who are successful writers and I have worked in film production for years and I swear there is an epidemic of narcissism among the writers who actually make it. Honestly, if you dont want to read the script, don't read it. But don't write a self-congratulatory Op-Ed piece about what a tortured genius you are. This whole piece just made me think of the "99 percent perspiration" quote and how the perspiration of blind arrogance and entitlement can get you very far in Hollywood.

Great post! Like anything in life, it is all about give and take. I heard great things about the late Blake Snyder and how he was so giving of his time.

I also understand the frustration when you're giving feedback and you don't get the same kindness back. But like most people in the industry know, it is also about handing down knowledge that has been passed down to you (for free).

As for me, I like helping people too. But over time, I think I've developed a 6th sense as to who is out for the take and who genuinely needs help.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts! :)

The shark guy's comment may be one of the best I've ever read.

Gotta love the unintended irony of the response to the linked piece that entirely missed the point about bad writing.

Scott, after this it's even more important to thank you for reading my script. Guys like you and the late Blake are very generous, and I hope we all keep in mind that we need nothing less than a GREAT script to even consider asking.

I actually know Josh Olson through some common websites, and we've exchanged many an email ... he's been supportive and given me good advice when I've asked.

I've never asked him to read a script, though ... I think that's a delicate thing to do, given the time a person has, and so it's not something I'd do off the cuff, I'm always sure to ask respectfully and also understand, respectfully, if someone cannot read my work at that time.

And I've noticed many other beginning writers don't really have that mentality ... their mentality is, I have the winning lotto ticket right here, you just gotta read it!

And I've witnessed them be rude when a person politely declines.

So it happens.

Me, I just want to improve what I do as best I can, that's what I want.

I've definitely had pro writers read my scripts and give me feedback, and it's been invaluable. I'm always sure to ask as politely and respectfully as I can, and also to return the favor if asked.

I also think that some writers just aren't suited for giving feedback to others ... while others seem to enjoy the challenge ... perhapit's in part a temperment thing, as well.

I'm pretty sure Anonymous was joking.

Yeah giving notes is always tough. I read a guy's entire novel once, gave extensive notes, and he came back saying that the novel was pretty much finished and he really didn't want to change that much, then made a big deal about how he doesn't want random people ever reading his work because they don't know anything and he's been at this a long time.

On the other hand, sometimes people have taken the notes and run with them and appreciated the effort.

Any time somebody gives me notes, whether I agree with them or not, I at least thank them profusely for the effort.

Great post, Scott. While I can appreciate Josh Olsen's frustration, it's good to hear from a pro with a more sympathetic point of view...

I saw this earlier on another site and thought it was a funny rant. The way you'd yell about that guy who's going fifty-six and a half in the left-hand lane. Or about how they always screw you in the drive in. Or how popular movie X is a total piece of shit.

I thought the work 'fucking' in the title was a good tip off.

I'm surprised at how many people seem to think it's supposed to be a well-reasoned logical and fair argument.

Reminds me of a joke:

A doctor and a lawyer are golfing. The doctor mentions that whenever he goes to a party, people ask him about their rashes, stomach problems, that burning sensation, etc. He asks the lawyer if he gets that too. The lawyer says it happens all the time. The doctor asks him how he handles it. The lawyer says he gives the advice, and sends them an invoice for legal services the next day.

A week later the doctor gets a four-hundred dollar invoice for legal services, which he promptly pays.

I definitely understand both sides and, Scott, thank you for your approach - which I hope to emulate someday (I'm already doing the self-education part, with a good dose of professional classes).

What I really appreciated hearing though is that you have piles of reading! Between professional reading for work, scripts for reading, items of other personal interest and the things I'm asked to read by family and friends (mostly school papers) I don't feel so alone with my mountains of tinder (although I do get occasional visits from the Fire Marshall at work).

Call me naive, but I love "low brow" art. When I walk down the street and hear a couple of kids banging out shitty rock music from a garage it makes me smile. When I see a person who clearly has no talent in visual forms putting a brush to a canvas, I feel giddy. And when I see that somebody has spent hours, days, or even years living in some kind of fantastic alternate reality and put that to a page, I fucking love it. I absolutely fucking love it.

We live in a world that is rigid, carnivorous, and requires that everything be appropriated based on purpose. The fact that any of us would choose to write is pure insanity as it works completely against every natural instinct we have. So anybody who is choosing to write over becoming the next AIG executive, the next plant potted in a cubicle farm, or the next who-wants-to-be-a-filthy-fucking-millionaire is a person that GETS IT.

The reason a person would feel like a name writer would read their script is that they believed that writer also "gets it". That being said, there are plenty of carnivorous, shady, rigid people out there who only write because they want a quick buck. They churn out crap because they think it's easy and will either make them rich or get them laid. Those are the dirty bastards that shouldn't be read. But then again, how do you tell them apart?

As someone who runs a screenwriting blog and has a few credits I get a fair share of people asking me to read their scripts. I've read a few but in most cases I feel like they're hoping that I'll read it, love it, and somehow sell it for them. When really all I can do is offer notes. But it seems like a lot of times people are not really interested in criticism or improving.

Scott,
I am a huge fan of your blog and read it almost daily. It teaches me so much.

Sorry to imposition you, but if you wouldn't mind and take the time to read my script, I would forever be in your debt.

anonymousscript@gmail.com

Thank you so much for reading this,
Anonymous.

I read your response to Olsen's article. Both points of view are valid for the individuals that said them. I am a third year film student that knows he isn't a great, or even good writer yet. I can see the stories in my head. And if someone can take dictation of my thoughts and turn it into a script, then I would be grateful. I've taken some screenwriting classes and I've been stuck on the same story for a while. Putting it aside and working on lesser passions is hard, but it has to be done sometimes. And keeping a "Day job" and life in general is tough nowadays, so I'm taking time to enjoy the processes of writing. Do what you love and the work will come...

That was really well put, kgmadman.

I was just thinking. I know a couple of pro writers who I would LOVE to read my material. They know me well and see me regularly and are completely aware of what I'm working on and what I hope to accomplish.

They know I want them to read my script. I never had to tell them, but they know, and for some reason they don't want to. One day maybe if I'm patient they'll decide I'm ready.

A friend and I were discussing this article and he told me about an assistant to Tom Hanks who worked with him for two years before one day Tom turned and asked him if he had anything good. He did. You'd be impressed if you heard the credits that guy has gotten because of that read.

Sometimes we just have to wait.

I think his "ugly truth about many aspiring screenwriters" is pretty near the mark: a lot of people who want to write but can't write think they can screenwrite instead - especially by just cobbling together bits of other films they like.

I think it's similar to the billions of people who DJ down their local pub 'cos they're "musical" and "creative" but can't actually play anything.

I saw a chilling statistic the other day: in London, you're never more than 14 feet from a DJ.

I second that one, Emily.

I have found that the more patient I am about being read, the more often I'm asked by other writers if I have something they can read.

Thanks for the article, Scott. Soooo missing Snyder.

Nice post - I hope that if I make it big through the help of a professional that I would extend the same courtesy to other aspiring writers.
It's like what Spielberg talked about at the Oscars, mentoring is the foundation that hollywood used to be built upon and is something that he still believes in.