Reviews and Feedback

[Matt]

At MZP, we strongly encourage readers to leave feedback on any written work they have read. After all, the stories we share here are the whole point of the community.

Both readers and writers should be aware that there are two styles of reader feedback: general feedback and reviews

General feedback
This is the type of feedback a reader leaves when they are reading for fun. They turn off their inner critic, give a free reign to their imagination and just enjoy the ride. It's usually free-written and is mostly positive.
Results: writer motivation; possible skills growth

Reviews
Reviews are a lot more constructive. They point out the positives as well as the negatives. Sometimes, the criticism can be quite critical, so writers are advised to keep this in mind. They are most often accompanied by a score out of 5 or 10 (or 100 for the really ambitious reviewer).
Results: skills growth; possible demotivation

Writers:
Reviews are far more common than general feedback. If you know you have a thin skin, then perhaps note this on your show thread and ask that any negative reviews be PMed rather than posted in the thread. Also be aware that many reviewers have their own review sites and may post these negative reviews there.

Reviewers:
Please be mindful of the experience and sensitivities of the writer. Try and also post something positive, preferably at the beginning and end of your review. Like a constructive criticism sandwich. Meat on the inside, fluffy bun on the outside.

Readers:
If you have read an episode and don't have time to leave a review, please consider leaving at least some feedback. Tell the writer what your favourite moment in the script was, who was your favourite character, was there a particularly memorable line of dialogue?

The stories here are free of charge. Please let the writers know you appreciate their hard work and that you want them to continue.

We thank you for your time.

[Matt]

Review templates:
Episode title:

Writing
Style:
Structure:
[ / 2]

Plot
What worked for you?
Niggles?
Favourite moment/s:
[ / 2]

Characters
Who shined? why?
Niggles?
Favourite quote/s:
[ / 2]

Bonus points
Originality/creativity: [ /1]
Effective use of a theme: [ /1]
Dialogue: [ /1]
Overall composition: [ / 1]

Total: [ / 10]

[Matt]

Here's an interview with one of our most prolific reviewers, Dino - master ninja.

How does it feel to be the most prolific reviewer on the board?

It wasn't something I set out to do, it just happened. I started reading the premise behind shows that were starting back in 2005, and I liked what I read.

Soon, the snowball I was on, started hurtling down the mountainside, and an avalanche was heading for the sleepy town of MZP...

Seriously, I probably read a lot more and didn't review when I first got here, (Buffy Season 8 & 9, Angel Season 6 and Faith Season 1.) before I started reviewing properly.

And I'd like to add, that the term Ninja Reviewer wasn't coined by me; it was sort of created by Ian Austin. He PM'd at the old BVC forum once saying something like, did I ever consider becoming a Ninja, because I come out of nowhere with reviews...

At the time, I think I read a few Desperate Screenwriters episodes, and I did a few capsule reviews at once.

I'll say a couple of things: one of the main reasons at the time I reviewed a lot, was to increase my post count.

But mainly it was to see how a script was actually laid out. Though my writing is nowhere near as good as some writers here, I can positively say I learned from the members here, and not from a book.


Did you take special vitamins?

Vitamins? Some would think I take some form of stimulants. But, no; no vitamins for what I do here. I do take vitamins, but that's just for my normal everyday life.

I just enjoy the environment. It's something I like doing, and I like speaking with friends I've made here. Considering in real life I'm actually a quiet and introverted person, unless you really know me, and even then I can still be quiet.

I guess the idea of a forum and having to face anyone is appealing, but that could change at the drop of a hat, with some members here!


Do you remember the first show you ever reviewed?

Wow, like I said, I was reading a lot before I started reviewing, so it's kind of hard to say. There even was one show I was reading that was actually cancelled by Lee. (We know which one...) So I never got around to posting anything for that, but I did glance at some posts for it...

I'd have to say without being 100% positive, that it would have to be Slayer Academy. After reading Sofia's character in Buffy I fell in love with Emily Browning, so I was curious to see how she'd translate in SA. Also seeing Skye show up was a nice touch as well.

From there, well it snowballed...


Have you developed a best approach method when reading and reviewing?

Staff members have asked me how can I read so much so quickly. I suppose the best way I can say, is that I download the PDF's as normal.

What I then do is the most environmental friendly thing I could possibly do: I print out the episodes to read. Terrible I know, but I wasn't going to waste my own printer paper, when I could use the one at work! (Terrible again, but hey, I'm evil. :P)

(I now have a laptop, so my slaughter of trees will stop. For now...)

Then as I work, I'd occasionally read parts of the script. I mostly have the time to read on the train, as I had a good hour to and from work. At home, I just read off my computer, though it hurts my eyes if I stare at the screen too long...

So generally speaking, that was the reason why I returned with a review so fast, as I started reading the episode as soon as it was online. (Though that is not always the case, some shows have suffered of late, due to commitments of my own, but when I'm freed up, the ninja reviews will strike again... [image] )

After having read the episode, I generally posted what I liked. Early in the piece, I liked everything, and I really couldn't pick up on any faults. Mostly they were grammar, but some were so trivial that I let them slide. I did find a few faults which I happily posted, and they were treated well.

I think a lot people actually liked my reviews, as I wasn't that harsh. So I had to be a little more methodical in my approach, and now that I have a little more wisdom, (I hope... ) I can be a little thorough.


Any advice for someone who has never reviewed before?

None. Just read and tell the writer what your thoughts are. A simple, this episode was ace and I really liked it, is a sugar coated way of saying things. Personally, if I was the writer, I would want to hear more.

If the episode was good, say why. If it was bad, say why. If writer sucks and doesn't know what he/she is saying. Tell them why! But do it nicely. Some writers may not take criticism well. And there would certainly be some newer writers who will feel this.

Especially if they get a scathing review from someone with a high post count. The imagery can be quite scary.

You can be nice, yet firm in the same context. In the end you're going to do two things, give the writer something to think about, and you'll enjoy the series more. Who knows? You may even end up writing for your favourite series, or develop a winning show of your own.


I thank Dino for his time, and incredible reading and reviewing skills.  I hope to have more interviews from prolific reviewers here in the future.

In the meantime, if you have any advice for reading or reviewing, feel free to share it with the rest of us.