it's a lottery and it's all super subjective

[Kolstad]

I've only submitted three or four times, years ago, and as far as I recall, each one got good marks and feedback. I think matching the listing is important, but thats only a minimum. Lots of submissions nail that. Beyond that, submissions can be classified in style, even within the framework of the listing, and further more the quality of the composition and production can be graded. I don't know how many of the submissions that meet the criteria that is forwarded, but I doubt all of them are. So, while I agree with subjective, I think that "subjects" have a lot more in common than we usually imagine. It's still possible to differentiate between submissions in a coherent way. Hence the category "universal" is possible

[AmandaJane]

Casey - please can I steal your quote for my blog ?????



Amanda

[HectorRContreras]

A very interesting Topic, thank you everyone !

[LittleRedChurch]

Matt hit it, IMO.

Been there. I've graded stories for Language Arts classes. Please know, NO two teachers grade the same way. We may be looking for the same things, structure, flow, organization, etc. but when marking you can't control the way your past creeps into the thought process. You have your own idea of, 'exciting', good, bad, moving, etc. Unfortunately, with the arts we're not judging a skier's form or landing, or a gymnast's number and quality of tumbles - we're judging sunsets. Some we may unanimously agree are duds, but for that huge swath that are on the cusp, I think they are ultimately in the eye of the beholder...

This is NOT to fault the process. Taxi is as good as it gets. It's simply to state we can't take the human element out of this equation. We can't escape our taste. Our past.

That said, back to the marking of stories, I do know that there was an occasional story that was simply amazing. Where the only debate for teachers is do you give an A or A+. Unfortunately most of our songs, or mine anyway, don't fall into that camp, (we all can't be Paul... unfortunately... though I'm working on it..) till then, yes, I say there's a bit of luck, as there pretty much has to be.

LRC

[kclements]

I agree with what has been said in this thread. It isn't a lottery, but humans are what they are and that can come into play.

I think the beauty of Taxi is not just in the screening process - which has helped me become a better writer. The beauty lies in the complete taxi experience. I see it as three separate but equal parts; the screeners and submissions, this forum, and The Road Rally. Combine all three to increase your movement forward.

Other services offer listings and opportunities - and some do it very well. And you should take advantage of opportunities outside of Taxi if they fit your goals and are reputable. But I haven't found anything that comes close to the complete Taxi experience. It takes time - and sometimes it feels like nothing is happening. But believe me - there are things going on behind the scenes that you may not know of and may not show up for years.

I think the best way to "rig the lottery" is to build relationships here on the forum. Grow those relationships at the Rally. Submit to listings and learn from the feedback, the returns and the forwards. And always keep doing the work. It eventually catches up with you.

cheers -
kc

[sguiles]

Kayle +1.


Rig it as much as you can, people!
Also, Taxi TV!

Collab with other Taxi Members.
Win the lottery.

[Casey H]

+1!

Lottery Ticket3.jpg (80.27 KiB) Viewed 1684 times

[AmandaJane]

Love it Casey !

[HectorRContreras]

Ah yes, I so miss my Hector, this is what I was going to look forward to after Hector won his Legal Case and became rich, COLLABORATION !

http://forums.taxi.com/topic126845.html

More Music Collaboration between Hector and myself, as together we were twice better.

I feel lonely, I am not composing anymore. By the way, Hector's big money is going rightfully to his Son, so I am poor.

So I help the Musician here at the Forum. I am on a Mission : to help and cherish all the Musicians of the World !

[LittleRedChurch]

We're better off for it, Catherine. But don't forget, you write! You have a voice. A voice I particularly like! It's avant garde. Completely unexpected. Convention defying! Good on ya!!

Sincerely

Graham