I joined TriggerStreet.com awhile back. Founded about 5 years ago by Kevin Spacey, the site allows writers to post screenplays for review, provided they review other writers' scripts. Initially, you had to write two reviews before you could upload your own script--one assigned to you, the other, one of your own choosing. I didn't participate because that requirement seemed too burdensome.

I finally decided to participate and now it's even worse: You have to read four scripts, all of which are assigned! I'm just in a masochistic mood, I guess. And make no mistake, these scripts are bad. They're not even written in proper screenplay form, which kind of annoys me, since it shows laziness. It doesn't take long to learn--not if you're willing to make an effort.

There's a great book, David Trottier's "Screenwriter's Bible," that tells you everything you need to know: Write the character's name in all caps when he's first introduced, write all caps for sounds, the difference between a series of shots and a montage is, etc. You can learn it all by looking at the example screenplay he provides in the book. It took me about half an hour--no exaggeration. I just read a script form a guy who's been a TriggerStreet member for four years and the script wasn't close to being written in proper screenplay form.

The screenplay contests must be full of these kinds of scripts. That's why it pisses me off that my own scripts are overlooked. They may not be artistic masterpieces, but they do tell a story and they are in correct screenplay form.