Why post in Critique? Page 2

Quote: chipolata @ September 25 2008, 12:51 PM BST

Can I just ask what other websites there are out there similar to this that feature a critiques forum? And how they compare?

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The only other place I have regularly posted is the 4laughs testbed which was not bad for the first year of 4laughs (but not as vigorous as BSG critique) but is very, very quiet now.

Also, the mods delete any post they consider not suitable for a 10 year old which means that some of my stuff has either got the chop or I had to edit the feck out of it to get it on there.

Quote: chipolata @ September 25 2008, 12:51 PM BST

Can I just ask what other websites there are out there similar to this that feature a critiques forum? And how they compare?

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On the 4laughs website, from Channel 4, they have a forum on which you can post sketches for feedback from other users. But that's a rubbish website these days, you're far more likely to get more people looking and commenting on here.

Quote: Matthew Stott @ September 25 2008, 1:18 PM BST

One thing Critique has done for me is bring to my attention a couple of writers who I like and want to work with. Without it I obviously would never have made the connection with them.

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Likewise, and also with the 4laughs testbed too.

As I write on my own and have few writer colleagues or producer contacts (and even less I'd want to bother with my sketches) I find the critique forum a great way of gauging reaction to a sketch. I wouldn't post anything I personally thought was terrible but there is always doubt in my mind as to whether what I've written will appeal to others and critique can go some way to allaying those fears (or not, as the case may be).

Having said that, not all critiques can be terribly useful but after a while you can judge for yourself which comments are best trusted.

Also I'd be lying if I said there wasn't an element of excitement and anticipation of posting something new. Sometimes it goes down well and that's a nice feeling but sometimes it sinks without trace and it's back to the drawing board. That's the risk I suppose.

Obviously I'd rather it was a television audience of millions making that judgement but what the hey, critique will do for now.

Bo.

Quote: Bohannon @ September 25 2008, 2:00 PM BST

Obviously I'd rather it was a television audience of millions making that judgement but what the hey, critique will do for now.

Bo.

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Quite.

Incidentally, I am not sure what audience figures you are enjoying for your podcasts, but you have gained another listener. Good stuff.

I've answered this one so many times,

1 People aren't polite about my poor spelling etc (that's a good thing).
2 I tend to burn writing partners out, quite quickly.
3 A person who's never met you, and is unlikely to meet you, is going to tell you your shit stinks.
4 It's fun to get feedback, and there's so few places to gey our stuff read.
5 It's great to grow as a writer, and see other writers grow.
6 I like writing, I find writing with out an audience is comedic wanking.
7 Over a year of writing I've got a big bunch of stuff to choose from for spec scripts.
8 I can see if some ideas work for me (silent), and those that don't (pun based humor)
9 It's cleaned up a lot of my rudery in my work.
10 An alien race accessing our human internet has contacted me. It turns out their warp engines are powered by unfunny wanking gags. I am their equivalent of Saudi Arabia.

Quote: Timbo @ September 25 2008, 2:33 PM BST

Quite.

Incidentally, I am not sure what audience figures you are enjoying for your podcasts, but you have gained another listener. Good stuff.

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That's most kind of you, sir. Thank you.

Bo.

I find writing with out an audience is comedic wanking.

But you have an audience, you write for NewsRevue, send your stuff to prodcos, etc etc. Why do you have to post to Critique for it not to be comedic wanking? Does that mean that everyone not posting to Critique is indulging in comedic wanking?

There are certain people on this board that I have come to trust. I feel quite confident when I see their feedback as I know it comes from a balanced perspective and a willingness to help.

I tend to swap scripts with people behind the scenes as you tend to get a more indepth feedback that way. I find you get a different perspective on something you are trying to achieve, but from a source that understands the mechanics of what you are actually trying to do.

I have only had one experience of the critique forum. I posted a first draft sitcom extract to get some feedback and the end effect was that I came away with some good advice. You need to be prepared to wear a hard hat though. I think I had something like 17 replies. Of those; a few were just niceties, quite a few were dismissive, one in particular was plain horrid, but amongst all those, a few gems from people who offered some contructive advice. Some of the advice was so good that I felt it actually moved my craft forward. So, yeah you may get a mixed bag in critique but I feel that if even just one person gives you some food for thought that helps you then it can be a worthwhile exercise.

Def.

Quote: Griff @ September 25 2008, 3:33 PM BST

But you have an audience, you write for NewsRevue, send your stuff to prodcos, etc etc. Why do you have to post to Critique for it not to be comedic wanking? Does that mean that everyone not posting to Critique is indulging in comedic wanking?

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Don't knock wanking.

Don't knock masturbation — it's sex with someone I love.

Quote: JohnnyD @ September 25 2008, 4:04 PM BST

Don't knock masturbation — it's sex with someone I love.

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Pah! Even my own hand turns me down these days...

Quote: Griff @ September 25 2008, 3:33 PM BST

But you have an audience, you write for NewsRevue, send your stuff to prodcos, etc etc. Why do you have to post to Critique for it not to be comedic wanking? Does that mean that everyone not posting to Critique is indulging in comedic wanking?

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Well I said to me it's creative onanism, with my tiny ego and endless need for the aproval of others.

Writing for NR/TS preBSG it was always depressing to see them vanish into that vast endless swamp.

Don't e ven get me started on prodcos, but in BSG I can look forward to feedback fairly snappish.

I'm just sending onto prodcos now, I certainly wouldn't have without feedback from my fellow writers.

Some people need to post in Critique, some people don't. As for comedic wanking: What the hell is that?

Use your hand. It hurts less than criticism.

I would say that 90% of the sketches what I've written has been seen by somebody. I could of made more look as many I have forced to read by trickery and dubious methods, nevertheless I consider them all, especially those forever glassy-eyed, my audience.