What’s up with The Unknown Screenwriter…
Posted on May 4, 2008
Filed Under Screenwriting
Okay… Here’s the scoop. Too many hackers trying to infiltrate my server. The server’s only a couple of years old but because some of the modules on the server are old, some of the things I’ve attempted to do with the server to upgrade the security haven’t worked.
Got a new server with all kinds of bells and whistles and a hell of a lot more security.
Tried migrating the site over and the database was not only way too large but the new version of WordPress wouldn’t take all the tables.
So I am having to download each table to my computer and then upload it to the new server. But wow, WordPress 2.5.1 is a huge improvement. My spam has gone down from literally a couple of thousand comments a day to several and I haven’t even entered any blacklist info.
Unfortuntely, the OLD theme design wouldn’t work with 2.5.1 and the ONLY reason the site looks like this now is because I already had this theme laying around. Never really liked it that much so it could definitely change.
For those of you with feed readers… Apparently, some or all of you are receiving information from completely different sites i.e., NOT The Unknown Screenwriter.
I also subscribe to my own feed so I can see what happens and as it turns out some of the sites that showed up were sites I am hosting for a friend of mine while a couple of others must be sharing my IP address because I sure as hell don’t know where they’re coming from.
I’m sure once the site is fully migrated over and everything is working, all that should subside.
I’m also considering taking the site PRIVATE. I’m just in the “thinking about it” mode. I don’t have the time nor the inclination to deal with all the email and the bullshit. The site was simply supposed to help those fledgling screenwriters that felt they needed it.
Now… If I take it private, what the FUCK does that mean?
It means exactly this… It means I have to approve you for you to get inside and poke around. It means I will have a HELL of a lot more stuff to share with you that I don’t here and I do have my reasons.
No… It ain’t gonna cost anything. LOL. I’m not in this to make money. I truly am in this to get people to write better screenplays and NOT my way but to help you find YOUR WAY.
If that sounds interesting to you… Let me know. If you hate the idea, let me know. If you have suggestions, let me know. My intention was never to let this site grow traffic-wise as much as it has. In fact, I just figured it would be a cool place to talk about what I like to talk about the most.
Screenwriting.
Unk
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56 Responses to “What’s up with The Unknown Screenwriter…”
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If there remains a way for newbies to come and take a look, perhaps join up, then sure.
With Wordpress you could have the blog posts public, but still keep some stuff private, as well as commenting, and control the registration process yourself.
Would be sad to see such a great resource driven off the web by a bunch of fucking cunts. But fighting them isn’t easy either.
Going private would be very cool. Anyone who wants to enter can ask you personally, or if we know someone who’d like to join, we can pass their name onto you.
It’ll be a nice little network of cool people, with all the losers out in a ditch.
I like it.
Tip: What you could do is have 5 or so free posts that anybody can read, but not comment on. It’ll be like a limited resource for people who haven’t joined yet.
ps. I was having fun doing pseudo-coverage about your site on my blog. Lol
By the way, if you keep it open, you should install a word entry thing for comments to avoid spam from those evil robots.
Unk,
I’m just glad you’re back, public or private!
I agree - very sad to see a bunch of assholes driving the site into private territory.
That said, I would certainly join. Perhaps keep some content public, though, so people can get an idea of what they’re missing out on by not joining? I know I lurked here for a long time.
Either way: what you’re doing is very appreciated, and thank you for keeping at it despite a few internet assholes make it difficult for no reason.
Glad to see things starting to roll.
You should write a book… People can’t give you shit if it’s in a book. Well… They can, but you don’t have to deal with it like this.
Then we all can enjoy Unk’s knowledge…
Ha! You are using “Vertigo Blue” as well. I even kept the big “V” and worked it in. :) Be sure you have the most updated version, as the author just updated the three column version very recently.
I was going to suggest what Carlo did - keep some good articles public but don’t allow comments. Then, have people join to get full access where they have to verify their email address - and maybe use their email address as a login, so you can track and cut off anyone who gets out of hand.
I am fully behind any movement to make the blog private.
But I would suggest what others have — to keep part of the site public for people to get a taste. Another site I know of went completely private. For a while, the existing members did pretty good to keep the community thriving, but after a time no one was talking, so they went to a partially private, partially public version and the community started growing again.
Unkle Unk.
Private would be a good thing. For you. Which is great. Less time spent wasting your time, more time spent creating great screenplays.
One way to do it is maybe have only members able to log in and lay comments down, or even private email you, while also letting in people to be “guests” but they can not post or private email.
That way, you still let people have access to the wonderful knowledge you have laid out here, while cutting down the bullshit you have to deal with today.
Not sure if that will work, but just an idea.
I would just hate for someone who has stumbled upon the site miss out on the same stuff I was able to see which literally transformed the way I write today.
Glad you’re back and not dead.
Scottie screenwriter.
Glad to see you’re still around - for a minute there, I thought perhaps you’d deleted the whole thing in a fit of pique.
Private could be fun. I’ll keep an eye out for more info
Hey Unk
I pick up your posts in a reader (bloglines) and have had no funnies, although I wouldn’t know if I had missed anything, natch.
It is a few months since I stumbled upon your site and have happily devoured much of it. It would be a shame to think that new people wouldn’t at least have access to the archive of that material, but if going private encourages you to post more and share more with us, then, sure, bring it on.
Whatever you decide, thanks for all the work you’ve shared with us so far.
Nigel
I like the site and if private means we can be more intimate then private is good.
Clay
I’ll echo Josh’s comment… don’t really care if it’s public or private, just as long as I can access it.
By the way, I like the new design. I much prefer the black on white text and think the sidebar is a lot easier to navigate.
Privates are fun, yes, but Privates in Public are certainly the way this big old world is headed, methinks.
Hi Unk,
Private or Public…that’s your call. Either way, I’d like to be a part of it.
Mostly, because I need the help!
Keep up the good work!
Thanks God you’re back!!! Do what you must do UNK.
Private! Private! Private! I’d rather the open discourse rather than you answering emails all day.
First of all, it’s good to have you back.
Second, I’m sure people will follow you to a private site!
-Marilyn
Just happy to see you’re up and running again. I’d vote for whatever is easiest for you and saves you time. Private sounds like more of a pain in the ass to set up but if it saves time in dealing with hackers later on go for it.
Thanks for all your great articles and insights.
Reading black font on white background is much easier on the eyes, so I prefer it this way.
Congratulations that you are big enough to be having these problems. On the flip-side, it sounds like a big hassle. Spammers, spoofers, hackers, and all of those people, WHO are they? From where do they come? So frustrating!
My friends just recently made their movie website private, which to me is a bit of a hassle as a reader to sign in and all that, but if it helps your site to function better and expedite your time, you have to do whatever you have to do.
Good luck! I’ll be interested to see how it all goes.
I understand the concerns about going private… I’m dealing with similar questions regarding a writers group I’m looking to start. How can I keep it open enough to allow free discussion, creativitiy, and fresh blood while keeping out (or kicking out) the bad seeds?
I think the site should go private…mainly for the sake of your sanity (don’t want to imagine a mad Unk running rampage through Hollywood!)
However, as a community of writers, who are also pretty much all bloggers as well, perhaps we could disseminate some of the less “occult” secrets to the larger public, via our own sites. Sort of like the scribosphere in reverse! LOL
Well I guess Private is the way to go…
I really wouldn’t know the difference…only if I am not invited, which then I will be well aware of them.
But go for it.
Elver,
From looking at WordPress, it looks like I can definitely leave whatever posts I want, public so that shouldn’t be a problem.
My whole deal about taking at least “part” of this private would be to hopefully kick some ass on “some” writers and help get them buffed up to SELL their wares.
On top of that, with a group of people you trust, networking is easier — getting others to read your stuff is easier. Referrals are easier.
Everything’s easier. LOL.
Still comtemplating…
Carlo,
Right… Going private wouldn’t be to exclude anyone but maybe if there were some things we committed to — screenwriting-wise — it might just be the kick in the ass some might need to get to the next level.
I used to be part of a message list group YEARS ago that I have to say — really helped improve my writing… Once you joined the group (there were about 50 members), you had to send out an email to the group, pledging your commitment and understanding that IF you did not meet your commitment, you were going to be booted. Funny how that affected me. I’m one of the biggest procrastinators around so of course, I waited till the night before to submit 10 pages to the group… LOL. But the entire experience made me a much better writer and I learned a lot from the group… Especially from newbies with possibly a little naivete and looking at something from a completely inexperienced perspective can help big time.
Josh,
Thanks!
Austin,
Welcome… Again, I wouldn’t exclude anyone who wanted in. Going private would simply make the site a little more secure. Right now as I type this, I am undergoing a service attack… LOL. Of course this time around, they can’t do shit to the site and there’s some “other stuff” going on in the background that these idiots aren’t even aware of.
Ryan,
A book… LOL. Maybe someday.. But do we really need another screenwriting book? And mine will be so full of cussing that it would probably turn some old lady in Niobrara, Nebraska off. LOL.
neil,
Yeah, I should check the version but I don’t really like the theme that much… Still looking for a compromise while I move all the categories over and get everything back in order.
Christina,
Great suggestion… I was even thinking of calling those that might be interested in a private section to see if they are REALLY interested or just yanking chains. The only real reason to go private would probably be to have a group of “screenwriting dedicated souls” who want to help others and of course get some help as well. Build a network and help each other out whenever possible.
Nick,
Agreed.
Scott,
Exactly what I’m considering… I’m open to suggestions!
Laura,
We shall see…
terraling,
Even if it goes private, eventually everything would go public… So no worries there.
Clay,
I would HOPE that’s what would happen…
Tom,
No problem. Access will be easy if we go that way.
Spat,
Sounds like a short film to me… LOL.
WoodySr.
Thanks!
javisiete,
LOL. So I watched THE LOOKOUT again and… LOL. Just kidding.
Christian,
Your vote is noted…
Marilyn,
I’d love to get you in there… LOL. Because you know so much about this stuff I mean.
jeff,
Danka.
Jaden,
I hear ya… In fact, that’s MY problem with it too… Still “thinkin” on it.
John,
I wish I knew… The old list group I was one required everyone to somehow participate or else. I find that rather rigid because sometimes, you just gotta bring home the bacon and screenwriting be damned — except in your head.
$1000,
Absolutely.
Unk
You Suck,
Shit… Everyone will be invited IF it goes that way. No discrimination at all.
Unk
As an aspiring screenwriter, I find your site one of the most helpful out there, so as long as it’s open to people who are interested, then do whatever you have to do to make the site more manageable!
Thanks for all the info you provide.
Ally
Hey Unk, you have some good ideas.
I’m on a site like the one you were on before. The Writer’s Building. Great site. Good solid bunch of writers that you know you can trust to be honest, and know their feedback is worth listening to because you have read their work. You also have to submit a writing sample to prove your worth, and there are scene workshops and story notes boards to really help each other get better. Kicks in the ass and all!
It has definitely been a blessing to have a group of writers that got your back, and are all as serious about this stuff as you are.
Looking forward to more of this from you. You rock, buddy.
I hope I can be in the club!
You should go private as this helps you and doesn’t hurt those of us who want to continue to benefit from your blog. I also liked the suggestion made above for you to put your knowledge into a book. Isn’t everyone else? And ain’t they makin’ some big cash doing it? That way, you keep this blog free, but still make money doing what you’re good at: teaching screenwriting to the masses! Keep up the awesome work…it is appreciated…
I just wanted to say I’ve been reading your site for over a year. Your insight is invaluable. I drop by almost every day to see if there’s any new knowledge you’ve dropped that will inspire me to push my scripts that much further. I never commented before because, well… I don’t really know why. Too busy writing, I guess. When the site went down for a day or so, I was freaked out. I thought you had decided to call it quits. I was ready to hold a memorial service. When the site came back up, I was relieved to say the least.
That said, I think the site going private could be cool. I’d love to be a part of it if it did.
Thanks for all you do, Unk.
you show me an empty slot to put my password name in and I’ll shove it anywhere you want, baby, because I am not NOT going to keep reading your tips n tricks… rock on UNK and either way, we support you
I’d like to make the cut.
I don’t get idiot hackers. Why, why, why? What’s their deal?
Going private and inviting everyone would be incredible. I’ve been reading this site for 5 months now and it is incomparable. This site itself rivals or exceeds the quality of most (if not all) of the screenwriting books I’ve read, classes I’ve taken, DVDs I’ve watched… you get the idea. I can’t even bear to think of what I’d do if I couldn’t access the amazing archives anymore. Go private, but don’t forget about us!
I’m a lurker who loves checking out this site every now and then (definitely has helped along the way for me with this feature I’m rewriting). If you feel like you need to make the site private so you can share more information and keep things under control, I totally understand. BUT, I hope I can make the cut!
ALSO, I will say that the site loads much faster now, so now I feel more compelled to browse around through it.
Thanks again!
Long-time lurker, first-time poster… Sorry about that!
1) WordPress 2.5 is, admittedly, the dog’s bollocks.
2) I love this design. Much more screenwritingy and clean. I, for one, say “Keep it!”.
3) Though I’ve rarely posted, and you are sometimes a little aggressive in your teachings (yes, it’s needed but the harsh lessons are sometimes a bit TOO harsh :-p), I find this an invaluable resource of ‘regularly updated chapters’ of information that books simply cannot replicate.
Thanks for the work.
Private sounds like the way to go. Hopefully, those of us RSS fiends will still be able to use our readers to check out the latest and greatest on your site.
I like the idea of setting up a writers group (or various writers groups) within the site - similar to Trigger St, but on a MUCH smaller scale… as I’m sure I’m not the only writer who’s way too paranoid to post their shit on Trigger St. for EVERYONE to read. Perhaps you could require a writing sample from anyone who joins, and use those samples to segment us into various groups (each group consisting of some newbies, some intermediates, and one or two professionals). I know Scribosphere.org tried to do something similar … but I donated 120 bucks to those guys and didn’t even receive a thank you email, let alone a progress report as to whether or not the project was moving forward. Oh well, one more tax write off …
Of course, setting all that up would be a major time suck on your part. And you’ve got scripts to write. But if you’re looking at steering it in that direction and want some assistance, I’ll volunteer…
I don’t like this template/layout. The text is slightly garbled and it’s too white.
Not to mention everything is on the left side of the screen for some silly reason.
I agree with Zane.
I’ll gladly volunteer and do whatever I can. Just to let you know… My wife always tells me I’m good for nothing. She’s usually right 97-98%of the time, too.
So… Be warned. LOL
Let us know what we can do.
Whatever you need to do to keep this great site and resource going!
F
Hear, hear Zane and Ryan! I tried to make a feedback group from a screenwriting course but the response has been underwhelming. I’d love to be able to kick stuff back and forth with my screenwriting peers. I love to give feedback, but find that others, though good at it, are loathe to give some more than once. And, since re-writing is what I do everyday, my stuff changes and there’s no one to read it and opine (not that I want daily feedback, but neither is once yearly going to do it for me)…anyone feel the same way? Or am I just a pain in the…
I’d join, if you went Private. You’re a regular blog-stop, for me.
Kattai,
Either I wasn’t around or I didn’t see your attempt. I’m all for learning and doing whatever it takes to become better and help others within my power. Beware… I’m not good at all. I in my rookie year. But will help out as much as I possibly can.
Hey Unk, just found your blog. I’m switching from novels to script writing and have found your site to be blunt, and informative. Thanks for taking the time to share your experience with newbies.
Jamie
As long as this doesn’t devolve into Stonecutters type of shenanigans, your plan only seems fair and reasonable.
Can we get wrist watches?
Jack,
I hope I didn’t approve spam… LOL.
Shit… I don’t even wear a wristwatch. It would just fuck up my internal clock.
Still thinking it over as I finish migrating the rest of the sites over to the new server. New server is FAST!
And cheaper. I like it when it works that way.
So…
It sounds like most everyone would be cool with it as long as all the archived stuff is still available which it would be.
On top of that…
What I’d want to do is let anyone who’s cool go ahead and invite anyone in that is interested.
There wouldn’t be any requirements or anything like that but I would really hope that lurkers get involved.
We need hardcore discussions about the craft. All perspectives would be MORE THAN WELCOME because often, it’s a newbie’s perspective that makes me really think about this stuff in a way that I’ve never thought about it before because of that perspective.
We can pretty much do whatever we want…
Unk
Hello again Unk. I would like to ask you a little favor. I don’t know what’s your next post it’s going to be. But if possible, I would like you to talk about rewriting. I’m recently finishing my first draft of my first screenplay and I want to make a good job… and rewriting is obviously the only way to make a great script. The problem is that I don’t know anything about how to begin the rewriting process for a screenplay. Can you give us tips or examples of how you rewrite your scripts? I’ll appreciate your help.
Thanks, Javi.
Just wanted to let you know I won an Emmy Saturday night. She’s so pretty.
I feel like someone important in this world now. I’m really someone!
You can read about my night on my blog. If you also go to the about section, you can also see my pretty Stang!
WTF???
What are you talkin’ about??? Was this Emmy in la la land?
“I’m really someone!” Uh… Of course you are. Just a… A little stumped is all.
Hey, Unknown -
I just stumbled across this amazing place and it would break my heart to miss out on exploring it further. Wanted to add a link to you on my blog, but if you’d rather I didn’t… :)
I can understand why you’d want to go private, there are so many incredibly annoying people out there (they seem to gather in heaps at urbis, for some reason), and if you do go private, please, consider granting me access.
Much obliged,
Annie.
I didn’t realize that my email response would be automatically posted!
For those wondering what I’m talking about -
I won for best newscast - evening - smaller markets for Reno.
So it’s a regional Emmy award - a smaller version than the national one, but still the real deal!
I don’t care what you do or where you go as long as I ride shotgun.
Congrats Kellene,
An Emmy is an Emmy! I’d be grinning so much my cheeks would hurt.
Jamie
Hi Unk,
I am about to graduate in Media Writing & Production (majouring in screenwriting, at the university of Bolton, in Lancashire, England.
My last assignment of these 4 years of mixed feelings (has it been time wasted?) is a report dissecting the third circle of the scriptwriter’s life (http://www.scriptwriterslife.co.uk/) and doing a bit of online research, I’ve stumbled upon this gold mine of orientation for screenwriters wannabes such as myself.
I am doing my best to commit to the craft & business of screenwriting, but I’m still not “out there”, as I wanted to make sure I graduated first and survived in general. I’m working two jobs and I’m dreading the fact that I might never have the time that this profession demands. But time will tell.
I hope you resolve this attacks situation, and that I am still able to consult this source of knowledge and resources for all of us writers.
Sorry for the long comment, I’m off now to devour your blog (in the good way).
Cheers,
Rob