Thread by @davidwappel

!!THREAD ALERT!!

Fellow screenwriters!

A thread about shoutouts, boosts, suggestions, and support!

#specscriptshoutout #prewgaboost #PreWGA @TheWRACGroup @SpecScriptShout
(1/16)

It's been wonderful to see all the support everyone's been giving the past few months, at all levels of the community.

I wanted to highlight TWO things I think we should keep in mind as we continue this work.
(2/16)

FIRST. I'll start with an anecdote. I received many read requests here (after @SamWritesMovies gave me a little boost) and most gave a generous #SpecScriptShoutOut after their read (3/16)

There was one reader, however, that didn't, and he told me he wouldn't, in an email along with many notes on my script, and many words of encouragement, as well as adding, "This is all subjective. I could be wrong."
(4/16)

In my opinion, this is absolutely WONDERFUL. If we give a shoutout to everything we read, then they become meaningless.

By only boosting those scripts that really connect with us as both writers and humans, we are giving those stories value.
(5/16)

And the way this reader communicated to me his decision and reasoning was incredibly supportive. Notes weren't even something I was expecting, but because he felt it wasn't sharp enough to shoutout, he provided ways to get it there.
(6/16)

Just wanted to remind everyone, that is an option available to us. Now, say you read a script that you adore. A great story. Sharp writing. Full characters. That brings me to my next point...
(7/16)

SECOND. When you give a shoutout or boost, be as specific as possible. Specificity is what helps us separate from each other, and find the gigs that suit us. (8/16)

All of you have wonderful stories. But they are all different. Let's highlight those differences in each other's work. (9/16)

Saying something like, "Really cool characters in such a neat setting!" doesn't tell us much other than you liked it. That could be Little Miss Sunshine or The Matrix.
(10/16)

The sharper the shoutout, the more useful it will be for the writer.

The more specific the praise, the more useful it will be for producer, showrunner, director, manager, etc
(11/16)

Speaking of the writer, make sure to highlight their strengths that go beyond this one script. If you just talk about the story, you're talking about one part of their task.

Talk about their style, their characters, their voice. That's what finds jobs.
(12/16)

A spec can be sold. A writer can be hired. Remember, it's the long game for us. So while it's great to include the original set piece in Act 2, and the great 3rd Act twist, remember to talk about the writer, too.
(13/16)

"economically introduces fully-fleshed out characters" is a useful skill to have in a room.

"writes fight scenes with momentum and visual acuity" can help someone land their next rewrite gig
(14/16)

In short, don't just say you loved the script. Say why you loved this script, and what this writer does well. That can help us all!
(15/16)

To summarize:

You don't have to shoutout everything you read. In fact, if you don't, it gives more weight to those you do.
And when you do boost something, tell us why. As specifically as possible.
(16/16)

If someone boosted your script, what would you want them to say?

Please Retweet/Like if you found this useful or interesting.

I'm constantly buoyed by all the support on here!

Keep on writing and reading and writing and reading and...