Uploading scripts

[bushhippie]

Okay, so I'm not saying that I'm GOING to upload a script as I'm kind of terrified of putting my work up for criticism (even if it's constructive). Yes, I realize I have to get over that one.

But, I have thought of it and was wondering how you get your script onto the thread?

My scripts are already in pdf but I have no idea how to get the pdf onto the thread?

Any help with that....just in case....would be great.

Thanks, Z.

[Jeff Messerman]

One of the flaws of this particular message board is that it limits the size of attachments to a mere 1mb. Okay for partials, not so okay for full scripts.

So far, most people have utilized an offsite file hosting service and seems to work like a charm. My preference is a joint called www.sendspace.com . Pretty easy to use, just sign up, upload your file, then put the link to the file here on the board.

Now come on and share your work! We don't bite! ;D

Jeff

[echomusic]

I find mediafire works really well.

[echenry]

Brushhippe,

Try to think of it as advancing the art. What people say here will give you ammo to make your next draft stronger. Better you find-out what's wrong now, than to send an inferior script out to people in the business, and have them disappointed by your lack of professionalism in your writing.

You need to make your script bulletproof. IF you have all the discipline to do that, more power to ya. BUT sometimes you miss things... and the criticism of others helps you find that... AND other writer maybe skilled in areas you're not so strong in: finding creative twists, ninja-class spell checkers, formatting gurus, etc.

EVERYTIME someone criticizes your work it hurts. If it really hurts when you receive it, I suggest you walk away for a couple of days and let things settle BEFORE you respond. I've had to do that MANY TIMES.
Some of the best advice I EVER received in how to handle criticism came through a blogspot. Billy Mernit's 2 week series, January 17, 2007 and January 21, 2007. "Notes on Notes, Part 1 and 2. Here's an except from "Notes on Notes, Part 1":

"... the experienced writer comes to understand that the basic rule in taking a note is simply to take it, no matter how outraged one may feel about it; you write down the note, and if necessary you say something noncommittal that sounds amenable ("That's an interesting idea" is a time-honored, fail-safe thing to say that says nothing, while inferring potential agreement).

Then, after the fact, after you've had a stiff drink and/or gone to the shooting range, i.e. done whatever venting exercise you deem necessary to regain your sanity, it's a good idea to put on the shoes of the reader, so to speak, and determine -- unless this has already been made explicit -- what the reader is really asking for and why."

Billy Mernit teaches screenwriting at UCLA, and is a story analyst for Universal. AND more importantly -- dude has style! He's also a former serial romance novelist, and has written a book entitled, "Writing the Romantic Comedy" which is an excellent resource to real get into what makes romantic comedies tick. Anyway, you can find "Notes on Notes" here:

livingromcom.typepad.com/my_weblog/2007/01/index.html


As per Jeff's and echomusic's suggestion. This is all new to me too. I haven't tried mediafire. Curious to know if that's a free service. Sendspace is. And speaking from experience I found it very easy to set-up and use.

- E.C. Henry from Bonney Lake, WA

[bushhippie]

Okay, thanks. I'll experiment with those programs.

Thanks E.C Henry, I'll have a look at the link. I'm working on it.

Hell, I'm in Australia and probably going to the Austin Film Festival this year so I'm dedicated to working on it!

Thanks, Z.