The Word Cloud

Hello.

This is a query I put on the front page when I joined last night
"I have just come across this site and forum. I have never joined such a thing so am utterly unfamiliar with the format. I have 2 questions I want to put out - maybe I am in the wrong place - but they are: 1 I have sent a first draft of a radio play to BBC Writersroom - sent on 1 April - ie April Fools Day. Has anyone any experience of the response/feedback? 2. I am waiting for delivery of SCREENPLAY WRITING FINAL DRAFT SOFTWARE ALTERNATIVE via ebay from USA which has cost £4.33 and is said to be as good as Final Draft, which is about £150. Has anyone used this software? Is it any good?"

As you see my first interest is radio drama. Is there a forum for that on Cloud? I am also interested in TV drama so wonder if this forum is the right one. Any help would be appreciated!!

Okay, I'm not a member of the screenwriter's club but I'll pitch in an answer based on what I think - feel free to ignore it if you don't agree :) 1) As is probably clear from my above statement, I've never submitted anything to the BBC, therefore, the feedback they give is unknown to me. However, if they are anything like literary agents, to whom I have submitted, and I imagine they are alike, then I wouldn't expect a lot of feedback. If people, literary agents or BBC agents, don't want to take on what you've sent them they don't tend to waste their time giving feedback - I know that sounds harsh but it's the truth. All you can really do is hope. You may have reached a person who genuinely likes what you've written and so will give you some constructive feedback but, again apolgies for being blunt, don't set your heart on it. Also, be prepared to wait a while for the response :) 2) For this question I can really only give an answer based on sense rather than experience. If something is described as being 'as good as' something else but is a heck of a lot cheaper, I'd be dubious. The £150 product is clearly good - that's why it costs so much - so I'd be doubtful that someone could make something just as good and sell it for significantly less! That's just my opinion. You may find that it is a great product and extremely helpful. In that case, good for you, you found a bargain :) Anyway, I hope this helps a little. Jess

Hi Tomcat (great nick),

Welcome to the forum. And on that note, let me direct you to another :op

I'm in danger of sounding like a stuck record, but if you want answers to questions such as those you'd probably be better asking in the Celtx forum, which is full of people who have tested just about every software out there and talk about nothing else but script writing all day. They also have a version of their own formatting software, which is free.

The BBC Writersroom seems like a very sane place to start. Although, given the budget cuts in recent years, their intake may be reduced. But the words 'BBC' and 'drama' have been long associated and they have to deliver what the license fee payer demands. So, go for it - I'd love to know what the wait time's like. I think I may follow your lead :)

I'm in danger of sounding like a stuck record... Yes I agree. Sorry Kasubi -
I'm sure you're are being very helpful - and I do apologise.

Why not post some of your output on critiques, clearly you know what's what - let others share your knowledge.

Again, I do apologise - your feedback has been brilliant, and I'd like to be the first to add a critique...

Hi Tomcat,

ST: You like my feedback so you want to critique my work? I don't really follow that logic, but you do rather illustrate why I don't post for appraisal ;)

What Barb said - for that price, why not. And it would be very interesting to know. Although it's hard to compare it to something you don't have. Ultimately it's the print-to-PDF function you want as you're likely to be posting hard copies on spec. People tend to request the floppy if it's a 'yes' and they want the original file - which will then need to be compatible with whatever they're using, which is usually FD.

Hi Tomcat,

Just looking through the Beeb WW info - they say they don't accept first drafts, only completed proofs, and the feedback time is:

"We aim to consider and return all scripts within four months from the date of acknowledgement. The length of time the assessment process takes depends on how far your script progresses..."

But they do say they're not a free script reading service and only provide feedback if the script 'progresses' to a full reading. Looks interesting though. Also no multiple submissions.

Looks interesting though - nothing ventured, nothing gained :)

WW.....

WW!!!

Writers woom....?

Christ, I need sleep more than I need air right now.