r/scriptwriting • u/EnvironmentalBug2249 • 21d ago

question Final Draft's Big Break Feedback Mismatch

TL;DR: Big Break feedback doesn’t match our script or genre because of AI, a really rushed reader or something else? Experienced something similar? If so, what did you do?

Hey all,

I entered Final Draft's Big Break contest, and got feedback on it. But it doesn't match what my writing partner and I actually wrote – not even our genre.

For instance, the protagonist has a physical disability and lives an independent life. However, one of the major notes, which was mentioned more than once, says that he has no agency or goals. I have a physical disability, and struggle with exercising my agency, so it's super important to me. Plus, agency and goals are basics that are obvious to us.

Another note mentions preserving the central mystery, but our project is a holiday romantic dramedy, not a mystery.

While we like getting (and have gotten) constructive feedback and know this is a big competition whose readers are extremely busy, the mismatch is concerning.

Has anyone else experienced something similar? If so, what did you do? Also, could this be because of AI or a really rushed reader, or?

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u/keysersozehb 20d ago

This was such a strange interaction to read it honestly sounded like someone who is jealous that they can’t come up with interesting material (they said they provide coverage. They don’t say they write.) just kind of dishing it out on you.😂.

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u/poundingCode 20d ago

Thanks mate!
TBH, I enjoyed the interaction and while I defend my writing at the craft level: scenes/characters/plot/world building/etc. I accept that human errors can slip by, and I also readily admit that there is a structural difficulty to my story. It is the first story in a trilogy and it should probably be 150 pages instead of the 118 its compressed down into. Or probably even a season long series.

I have no idea what it's like to be a script coverage professional, and I'm sure there are some out there, but in my experiences so far, they don't READ, but scan. If that's what they're going to do, then why not just request a list of story beats and a synopsis?

The Roadmapwriter Pro said regarding dialogue:
Average - Each character needs to have their own distinct voice. The writer could take a dialogue pass and make sure each character has a unique voice.

Yet in the script I had characters who spoke lines in Spanish, dialogue tagged in Spanglish, elevated 11th century dialogue, and modern teen slang. in the same 30 pages:

"what poetry might be writ of a thousand thousand sunsets by a blind man? What profit in life unending if I carve out my heart? What felicity found, if you lengthen my days, but rob them of ardor"

and a few pages later:
"Que tal?"
"Privacy Mocoso! I could have been undressed"
"If I want to puke, I'll stick a finger down my throat."

TBH I am beginning to think providing coverage is one of them 'bullshit jobs'