Reviews of Call Time (Revised) 21

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  Call Time Review
  A review of Call Time (Revised)
  by Zingarese on 02/27/2005
  First off, such a bold statement to make when you suggest that this script is not everyone. No script is for everyone. My first suggestion is in the future (at least when prepping us for the script) do not tell me I might not like it. Just tell me what I will like and let me decide for myself. Apologetic writers only succeed in looking amatuer. That being said I liked the script... First off, such a bold statement to make when you suggest that this script is not everyone. No script is for everyone. My first suggestion is in the future (at least when prepping us for the script) do not tell me I might not like it. Just tell me what I will like and let me decide for myself. Apologetic writers only succeed in looking amatuer. That being said I liked the script. And for all the wrong reasons. Yes it was a good character study, no it was not a comedy and definately not a drama. The problem is that the character arc wasn't about the character study but the quick repartee that happens between the characters. I could only find one word to sum up the script: Frantic. There were so many characters in each scene the dialogue repartee never lets me rest and enjoy each person. That makes for a bad character study. In short it was way too talky (pages 45 to 48 was all dialogue). this felt like someone was writing a play to be shot as a film. I didn't think it was visually strong enough to be a film. I liked that you try to experiment with reality but it had no pay off so it slowed up the pacing. I would say this needs another draft and not because I did not like it. Good start. read
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  CALL TIME REVIEW by TW
  A review of Call Time (Revised)
  by **DELETED ACCOUNT** on 12/22/2004
  This light drama-comedy is about a novice(professional) actor who was recently dumped by his ex-girlfriend whom he shared a relationship with for over a year. Unknown to are lead guy MIKE is that his best friend NEIL is seeing his ex behind his back until the end in ACT3. Basically Mike's friends all share the common passion of theater acting which the majority(99.9%) of... This light drama-comedy is about a novice(professional) actor who was recently dumped by his ex-girlfriend whom he shared a relationship with for over a year. Unknown to are lead guy MIKE is that his best friend NEIL is seeing his ex behind his back until the end in ACT3. Basically Mike's friends all share the common passion of theater acting which the majority(99.9%) of the premise and dialogue of this story takes place. I really wanted to see guy gets girl -guy lose girl-guy gets girl back formula but if he(the writer) was trying to do something differently than the old system, he definitely pulled it off. One thing's for sure, the dialogue was very entertaining regardless how one-sided the story came across. At the end of this piece(material) Mike ends up getting with Laura who's a fellow actress. Mike and Neil's relationship remains on good terms regardless of the friendiship cardinal rule was broken. Mike ends up finding himself and basically took chances of becoming more than he settled for in life(getting out the comfront zone) . I found this SP funny and this writer got so much potential it's almost scary to see this guy interact his character dialogue in a big budget piece. Keep writing Chief! read
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  not for me
  A review of Call Time (Revised)
  by DinoM on 12/20/2004
  Definitely not my kind of movie. I could go on with why I don't like this SP, but that would not be constructive. However, I can appreciate a well written script - and this is one. The dialogue is good, characters are fleshed out nicely, and each different from the other. Very few typos (I think only 3). I just felt that Mike was not pro-active at all. I understand most people... Definitely not my kind of movie. I could go on with why I don't like this SP, but that would not be constructive. However, I can appreciate a well written script - and this is one. The dialogue is good, characters are fleshed out nicely, and each different from the other. Very few typos (I think only 3). I just felt that Mike was not pro-active at all. I understand most people dealing with heartache will have a hard time "moving on", but it would've been nice seeing some progression. He kind of sits back and lets things happen until the very end. What's his goal? To get Jen back? To move on to bigger and better things? I thought we should've seen plot points where he gets closer to his goal, but is denied.. until the end. Of course, you said this doesn't follow what's learned in screenwriting books/classes (and I respect - and love -that; break those rules!)... However, I would've routed for Mike more if there was a lot at stake. As it stands, I could care less if he stays in his chicken outfit, moves on, or flips burgers the rest of his life. But that's just me. Best wishes to you. You guys are good writers. read
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  Call Time
  A review of Call Time (Revised)
  by arby on 12/19/2004
  There's some good stuff here. I like Mike seeing Jen(s) in the audience, and Ragan is a good character. The dialogue is also well done. My overall impression though, is that too much time is spent on backstage goings on and banter. Taking the main focus off of the show, and putting it on Mike and Jen's relationship- would help us feel his pain. Let us see their breakup... There's some good stuff here. I like Mike seeing Jen(s) in the audience, and Ragan is a good character. The dialogue is also well done. My overall impression though, is that too much time is spent on backstage goings on and banter. Taking the main focus off of the show, and putting it on Mike and Jen's relationship- would help us feel his pain. Let us see their breakup and hear her reasons for it. Then when his dialogue mirrors his life, it really resonates, because we've seen it. , Mike's relationship with Lindsay should also be given more time-- maybe through flashbacks. There seemed to be quite a few characters to keep track of. Maybe consider combining or dropping some. And I never could really get a handle on Stuey, he was a distraction-- sometimes he seemed normal, other times he appeared "special." And in the end, when he explains himself,it seems tacked on. The premise is interesting enough, I would just think about the focus. read
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  A very funny character study
  A review of Call Time (Revised)
  by StevenHack on 12/17/2004
  I think this is the perfect example of a writer who knows how to create loveable and memorable characters and fleshes them out with great dialogue that will make you laugh out loud and thoroughly care about their lives. Mike is an "everyman". He tackles obstacles that your average guy can relate to. The scene in the car is very well done and can be a very memorable scene on... I think this is the perfect example of a writer who knows how to create loveable and memorable characters and fleshes them out with great dialogue that will make you laugh out loud and thoroughly care about their lives. Mike is an "everyman". He tackles obstacles that your average guy can relate to. The scene in the car is very well done and can be a very memorable scene on film. This is ideal for a low budget feature and could be easily done if the writers could secure their own funding. Scripts like this rely on the actors to completely flesh it out and if you get the right people, you'd have an incredible film. I had to really think about what Aphrodite and what she had to do with the film, but after I realized her symbolic role, I loved the script even more. I thought, at first, this was a typical romantic comedy, but quickly came to realize it wasn't about love. It was about getting out of a rut and moving on. Its a simple plot and story but that allowed for the writers to add their own unique voice. Good luck with this script and look forward to its future. read
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  Call Time or Fishbowl?
  A review of Call Time (Revised)
  by bmdcowan on 12/15/2004
  Whatever the title, it's an enjoyable read. You have a good voice and style of writing and an excellent feel for characterization. However, I would recommend that you proofread this script. It has many spelling errors that are not caught by a spell-checker. (ie. "its" instead of "it's", and "too" instead of "two") There are also a few incorrect verb tense. I know it sounds... Whatever the title, it's an enjoyable read. You have a good voice and style of writing and an excellent feel for characterization. However, I would recommend that you proofread this script. It has many spelling errors that are not caught by a spell-checker. (ie. "its" instead of "it's", and "too" instead of "two") There are also a few incorrect verb tense. I know it sounds nit-picky, but it definitely detracts from the overall impression of the script. I liked all of your characters and you came up with some very insightful passages. The dialogue felt very realistic and natural. The hallucination scenes were well done, but I began to tire of them. Maybe taking even one of them out would eliviate that. (just a suggestion but how about loosing the one with Aphrodite and Snapper that turns out to be a film shoot?) The only thing I didn't like about the third act was the catalyst for Mike's big realization. Thanks for the good read. read
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  LITTLE THEATER
  A review of Call Time (Revised)
  by **DELETED ACCOUNT** on 12/11/2004
  Caught my interest right off. I once stage-managed and acted in a group. Memories. Fast, easy read, but really did not grip me. There's a lot of chit-chatty dialogue that doesn't move the rather thin story line. Mike pining over the loss of Jen and his search for Aphrodite becomes somewhat tiresome. I think you did capture the little theater mentality of would be stars... Caught my interest right off. I once stage-managed and acted in a group. Memories. Fast, easy read, but really did not grip me. There's a lot of chit-chatty dialogue that doesn't move the rather thin story line. Mike pining over the loss of Jen and his search for Aphrodite becomes somewhat tiresome. I think you did capture the little theater mentality of would be stars sitting around talking about motivation and reading "An Actor Prepares," while waiting for lightning to strike. More action/conflict needed. Less chit-chat. Good luck. read
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  Good Idea....but all over the place.
  A review of Call Time (Revised)
  by Clinton2511 on 12/09/2004
  As I read this screenplay, I thought to myself....where is this going? What are the authors trying to say? "Call Time" has inspired moments throughout. Mike, the main character, is pretty well written. In the first act I was very entertained by his quasi-nervous breakdown, we learn that he has just been dumped after a year long relationship. His inner turmoil, coupled... As I read this screenplay, I thought to myself....where is this going? What are the authors trying to say? "Call Time" has inspired moments throughout. Mike, the main character, is pretty well written. In the first act I was very entertained by his quasi-nervous breakdown, we learn that he has just been dumped after a year long relationship. His inner turmoil, coupled with his self doubt, makes for good drama and a few laughs. However, my first question remains. Is this screenplay a comedy or a character drama? I did laugh at parts, but the tone seemed more serious than that. In the second act, the story lost its focus and moved away from the main character. The scenes involving the Mike's actor friends were necessary, but could have been trimmed down. Lindsay and Ragan were well written characters, but I felt the others (Gary, Steve, Stuey) were very one dimensional. The twist around page 75, were Mike realizes that his friend (Neil) is dating is recent ex-girlfriend was a nice twist, but could have been developed more. Overall with a rework, this could serve as an interesting story, but Mike should get most of the attention. read
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  It needs more work
  A review of Call Time (Revised)
  by sparask on 12/09/2004
  A pleasant read, a good idea but to me it read more as a thetre play rather than a film script. There is something missing - I am not sure what though. Mike is definitely a likeable character but he seems to be passing life in oblivion. But not an extra funny oblivion but rather a politically correct New York type of oblivion. There needs to be more dramatic "action". Maybe... A pleasant read, a good idea but to me it read more as a thetre play rather than a film script. There is something missing - I am not sure what though. Mike is definitely a likeable character but he seems to be passing life in oblivion. But not an extra funny oblivion but rather a politically correct New York type of oblivion. There needs to be more dramatic "action". Maybe the God's should actually interfere in Mike's life and push along his actions. I also feel that we never really discover the inner workings of any character. I think this can work but it needs more work read
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  Thought this was OK
  A review of Call Time (Revised)
  by neilg117 on 12/09/2004
  I thought this was OK. It was quite an easy read, well presented with reasonably differentiated characters. I just did not find particularly funny or dramatic. The truth of it really was that I did not really care enough whether Neil or Mike discovered fame/fortune or love. Neither of them were really trying hard enough or seemed passionate enough to make me want to support... I thought this was OK. It was quite an easy read, well presented with reasonably differentiated characters. I just did not find particularly funny or dramatic. The truth of it really was that I did not really care enough whether Neil or Mike discovered fame/fortune or love. Neither of them were really trying hard enough or seemed passionate enough to make me want to support them in their goals. Both of them just seem to unhappy because everything was not being handed to them on a plate. This itself is an interesting theme, but the writer never seems to explore this aspect of their character. It is a harsh comparison perhaps but this follows the same themes explored in Tootsie. But the lengths Dustin Hoffman goes to get that job and then the difficulty he gets into balancing his love life makes you care/laugh about his plight. The dialogue is reallistic but not overly memorable. The only character I enjoyed was Stuey, who was sufficiently offbeat to come off the page, with a nice twist at the end. I would suggest abandoning the realism in favour of comedy. There is bags of potential is say the opening scene for piling some really cruel humour onto Mike, but you choose to leave this off-stage. Best of luck with this. read