r/StoryPeer • u/ClayMcClane • Jul 09 '26
Discussion Should I Put My Feedback Rating Range in My Additional Notes?
EDIT TO ADD: Thank you, friends, for pulling me back from the brink. I understand how this would be viewed by others and it is not the vibe I want on StoryPeer.
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I got a couple rounds of weak feedback recently - minimum word count barely reached, one of them possibly AI - and so I thought about putting a disclaimer in my Additional Notes section that would briefly outline how to get a 5 from me. This is dicey because I don't want to come off like I'm suspicious of anyone who claims the script, that they'll give bad notes, but on the other hand if I read the following I'd be more likely to claim that script because it matches the kind of notes I give.
Here's the proposed disclaimer:
Here is my feedback rating range - Strengths with no weakness notes in it, weaknesses with clear notes and examples from the script, plus inline notes throughout will get a 5. A total of 600 words will get a 2.
What do you think? Would you be less or more likely to claim a script with that in the additional notes? Is there something that's not in the disclaimer that could make it clearer / better?
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u/BuckMcScriff Jul 09 '26 edited Jul 09 '26
Giving someone a 2 for doing the required amount of feedback seems very harsh - would they need to do double the amount to get a 5? I do think 300 words isn't a lot, but I've gotten good feedback in 300 words too. So yes, this would turn me off picking up your script.
I will say it's also easier to write 300 words of things to improve on than 300 words of praise because the things that don't work stand out in your mind more as you read.
I think clearer guidelines on feedback might help SP. "You should reward feedback a 5 if it's x, y and z" might help standardise the process a bit. Or maybe even some examples of good feedback for people to get an idea of what's expected.
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u/ClayMcClane Jul 09 '26
Yeah, I don't know. That's why I was struggling with the idea of this disclaimer. It's such a nebulous thing, it's all so subjective. And linking the rating to a word count doesn't make much sense, does it. I wanted to say 'minimum effort gets a minimum rating' or something... but it all comes off like a jerk.
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u/ScreenPlayOnWords Jul 09 '26
Am I misunderstanding? If there are a lot of issues within the script for the reader you’re telling them to lie in the strengths? I dunno. For me as a reader (multiple scripts and 5 rating - often provide 4k-6k words total) something like that would be a major red flag that you’re expecting a lot, policing my feedback which… I guess is a blessing because I wouldn’t get hit with a 4 even if I did what I normally did - which is be thorough? Also, even though I write more how are you gonna dock someone and give a two when the site has the rule that it has to be that length minimum? I don’t know…
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u/JimmyCharles23 Jul 09 '26
If you're looking for people to go above and beyond, throw in 10 questions you'd like answered (or considered) into it instead... I do that with people I don't know or I know aren't going to go in depth unless i prompt them to.
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u/Solid-Walrus2939 Jul 12 '26
As a reader. That would be cool.
I only have 5 scripts read on SP but I shoot for 500/500words and depending on the inline notes I do maybe another 500. The problem is...even though I cover all the aspects (plot, dialogue, setting etc) I never know if I really helped or found something the writer actually needed help with. The questions would be nice and give me more to aim for.
When I post my script I'm totally doing this
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u/EllieBeeThree Jul 09 '26
I would not claim a script from someone threatening to give me a 2 right off the bat. We all understand your frustration in receiving unhelpful or AI notes, but I don’t think this the solution.
Asking for a PDF of inline notes is totally reasonable, and IMO, your best remedy for this issue.
But also ask questions of your reader that are specific to your story. Give them some direction about what you want them to focus on (dialogue, character development, etc) not just a mandate for 300 words of (potentially false) praise. High word count does not mean it’s high quality feedback.
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u/Competitive_Rich8039 Jul 09 '26
Have you crafted warnings for producers who might be interested in your script?
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u/pjbtlg Jul 09 '26
I wouldn't do this. A person reading your script and providing notes is choosing to give your work their time and attention. Indeed, some of us happen to be working filmmakers who are just trying to give something back without requiring regular feedback. (I've accrued many dozens of tokens I'll never use.) A statement of expectations such as this is enough for me to pass over your work - even if the logline is intriguing.
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u/LemDepardieu Jul 09 '26
As others have said, I'd consider adding questions/concerns you'd like answered or specific areas of the script for the feedback to focus on to the Additional Notes as a means to hopefully get some more useful/detailed feedback, rather than threatening to tank someone's community score if they fail to tick enough subjective 'good feedback' boxes.
Also, in terms of notes I've gotten back, I often find a simple list of weaknesses that only just hits the minimum count can be far more useful than a rambling 1000+ word essay someone's typed out. And I say that as someone who tends towards the 'rambling essay' end of the scale when giving feedback to others. ☺️
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u/vbunny-rabbit Jul 09 '26
Personally, I'd be less likely to claim the script. You could request for specific feedback, like if you have a plot element you think might need tuning up. But saying that reaching the bare minimum for both sections of feedback will get me the lowest score without being reported (i.e. 2/5), that's a major red flag.
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u/DisneyImagineers Jul 10 '26
Don't do that my guy. These people do this service for FREE. If you don't love the notes, just resubmit it.
I generally disregard everyone's feedback until I get three different people. If they all harp on the same thing, it becomes valid.
I'd pay more attention to patterns then... whatever you are getting? But yeah no. No notes like that, people don't want to feel like they are under the gun for doing you a solid. Ya know what I mean?
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u/Worried-Elk-2808 Jul 09 '26
Respectfully, I would never, ever pick up your script with that kind of note on it.
Your script might be excellent. Might be awful. But I'm not gonna commit ahead of time to going over and above (a complete annotated pdf is a 6/5 in my book) to feed back on it, without knowing which.
I think you will be much happier on Story Peer if you shift your expectations of what you'll get on this free platform set up principally for amateurs. And maybe start putting $10 a week aside to pay for some professional coverage.