A TALE OF TWO SCRIPT READERS

A TALE OF TWO SCRIPT READERS

I've recently purchased two evaluations from The Black List, about roughly a month apart. The difference between the two drafts of the same script was after the first evaluation, I implemented the suggested changes, meaning the second evaluation was on a new, improved draft.

Below is a screenshot of the two different evaluations. Remember; the newer evaluation is on a new draft with suggestions from the older evaluation.

How does that make any sense? I have no problem with the ratings, per se, but it's sort of confusing to think a previous draft could get 7 out of 10, while a newer one that takes the notes of the older rating and uses them could get 5 out of 10. It's like getting silver in the Olympics, then working harder than ever before, and getting bronze next time.

It raises a question; how valuable are readers opinions and ratings if they aren't objective?

Don't get me wrong, I understand people have different tastes, and, let's face it, this is exactly how bad scripts get through; someone with the connections thought "well, I think it's good". But how is it that two similar readers, working for the same company, both reading the same script (albeit improvements) could give different ratings. Look at the difference in the ratings on plot; 6 versus 4. You're talking about two opposite sides of the mean of five. Then look at dialogue and setting; 8 versus 5. Again, 8 is something of a "good", 5 is a "meh/ok". It's scary to think maybe getting your foot in the door has little to do with your talent and more with whether or not a reader is in a good mood or not.

But then there's the flip side. Was I wrong for making the suggested changes in the script noted in the first evaluation? And if so, what's the logic there? There's improvements to made, but don't do them?

Reader evaluations on the Black List is something of a "pay-to-play" scheme, where ratings over a certain average will get featured in the top list of the website. I was featured due to my first rating, and it was noticeable, in the form of views and downloads. It's a good way of gaining traffic and helpful criticism. But, this has made me question the service slightly. On the website, the Black List explain they stand by reader ratings, though are vague about how they manage and oversee them, leading to the suspicion the website lends a lot of trust to the reader that they are able to make fair and concise calls on rating.

The ironic thing is, the feedback on the second rating was also helpful. So much so that it only heightens the harsh rating of 5/10. To summarize the second evaluation feedback, my favorite line has to be "This show could work on major broadcast or network". Not exactly something you would expect someone to say about a 5/10 script.

The funny thing is, this has only made me want to improve the script even more. If not for myself, than at least to prove Mr. X wrong.