Screenwriting : Is weight loss a taboo subject for a comedy in America? by Gareth Mollison

I guess it depends on the approach you're taking. It is certainly a fraught issue in the US. Even more so in LA, where your readers are likely from. Residents of LA are not permitted to have body fat.

I'm on a fat watchlist here in LA and only allowed in restaurants at certain times on tuesdays. Yes, it's somewhat of a taboo subject, especially if you're not American (or fat) but insulting obese people in America. It's kind of like the N word. Black people can say it, but if someone on the outside says it - it's offensive. You have to realize - 50% of the population is overweight and if you offend 50% of the population, no one is going to see your movie. And you have to think of casting also. Does it require fat actors or thin actors in a fat suit? It's probably a hard sell either way.

Hey, I could lose a pound or two... fifteen actually but Danny, you made me laugh straight away and don't most woman want to lose weight for their wedding day? My screenplay requires quite a big budget, couldn't CGI manage my heroine's weight changes ? I just thought the Obesity Policity Company could make us all laugh but... sounds like this one is doomed!

From the Brits I know I would say they are possibly less easily offended by that kind of humour (I'm thinking of the fat men and women on the old French and Saunders sketches, and some of the Little Britain stuff about the weight loss club) but it's hard to judge without reading it and knowing what angle you're taking. Is weight loss the theme? How are the obese characters portrayed, and how are they treated by the other characters? Any chance of you posting it for us to see?

Gareth, no man should ever write a script about a fat girl trying to lose weight for a wedding. ever. if anyone is going to read that script, its gonna be from a female writer. And no, you can't use CGI for something like that! Besides, if its a comedy about weight loss it can't cost more than $15-20M anyway because it would be very cost prohibitive and wouldn't have much overseas potential. so, if its big budget you'd be sunk anyway. My gut (no pun intended) says this might be 1 to walk away from...

Oh somehow I missed the part about needing to lose weight for her wedding! In that case maybe no.

Woah! Its a comedy and this 'character' wants to lose weight. Is that ok? Apart from that, nothing is as it seems in my screenplay. It's not the screenplay people think it is. It would be good if one were to judge the screenplay rather than their own idea about what I might have written. But I guess I've learnt that this is a highly emotive subject. Feel like I've offended America. Imagine the shit storm if it ever got made! ..... I know.... it won't. Danny, thanks for the humour;-)

First rule of screenwriting: show don't tell. Previously you were told. Now you've been shown. :)

Oh come on Gareth (fine Welsh name btw) I'm really keen to know how you've handled it now! How about a log line?

That's the thing, a log line gives people the wrong idea. The moment I mention weight loss, its deemed offensive. The heart of my story is revealed through the journey my protagonist takes and the characters she interacts with, both in NY and South America. I'm moving on to other screenplays. Thanks for your interest.

Good luck then, Gareth,

That’s ok Beth, its been an education. You know, when I was writing this comedy my wife warned me against the subject matter. The writing was flowing freely, like taking dictation and I thought, I’ll finnish to see where it’s going. When it was complete my wife read it and loved it, found it funny but really she was right in the first place. Sometime things have to write themselves out, I don’t regret the time I spent on it. I used Bridesmaids as a reference for where to pitch the humor (it grossed over $250mm from a budget of $32mm). I was surprised by the humor through humiliation, found the food poisoning scene disgusting and tasteless and thought if I didn’t stoop so low, and gave my protagonist the upper hand, I’d be ok. I didn’t count on weight being such an emotive issue, to the degree that my work wouldn't be read. As I said, an education.

Well, Gareth, you certainly are brave!

BTW, there are some overweight actresses out there presumably looking for good material. Going directly to their people might be one route for this script. If it's good, don't write it off entirely.

Send it to Melissa McCarthy's agent. She seems intent on milking every bit of her fat for money while she can.

Weight loss should be a good topic considering the high obesity rate in this country. But it does touch on a lot of personal, sensitive issues. I'd be curious what you said in your pitch that folks considered offensive. Films about the food industry have bombed here, but more likely because we all know that fast food is bad for us, we don't want to be lectured or grossed out. Also, people have this weirdness about a fat character who feels they have to change. Hollywood seems to automatically place overweight characters into the comedy bracket, comic relief, comedic best friend, tragic loser, etc. How much can you expect from a business where so much is based on looks and film creates these fantasy worlds where everything is pretty. I am curious if this story makes fun of the crazy extremes some go to, modern body shaming, the feelings of inadequacy and perhaps a final 'I'm okay with myself' resolution. I could see someone desperately flailing and failing but then realize that their weight issues stem from something deeper (as they do for many people) and the character works through that and starts having some modest but healthy improvements at the end.

If people have loved your script, don't give up on it. There is nothing offensive on the surface about having a female character who wants to lose weight to look her best for her wedding day - that is something that happens, that you see quite often in society - and why shouldn't a man write about that if he wants to. If not, we could then say a woman can't write a movie about a guy who's 5'2" who wishes he was taller or something. HOWEVER there are ways of treating that subject that could potentially range from misogynistic and disgusting and cruel to enlightened, inspiring... actually come to think of it using that starting point you could even write something beautiful that would inspire people with weight issues IF you wanted to take it in that direction. So there might well have been something in the way you handled the topic in your pitch that turned those people off. Also, Like Danny said, if half of America is technically overweight, that's a lot of audience right there! People don't like having their insecurities reflected back at them for their $12 or be reminded of their shortcomings.

Well, I'm fat, not too sensitive about it. Just wish I weren't. There was a marvelous Dom DeLuis movie about his falling in love, maybe Fatso, just a beautiful, sensitive film. Another film that worked and was funny was about the guy who was brainwashed to think his fat girlfriend was thin and beautiful. Cannot remember actor or film title.

Gwyneth Paltrow and Jack Black (?) - but I can`t recall the title either

Shallow Hal. and it was horribly offensive and awful.

Offensive? I'm really curious what is in your pitch. I recently watched a movie on Netflix -- Korean "200 Pound Beauty" which is also about weight loss/cosmetic surgery. It was a romantic comedy. And it really touches on some things about how we perceive people based on our experiences. Much like "Shallow Hal" did. Anyway... if you want to, please email me a copy of your pitch. Maybe I can help?

Strange! I think Shallow Hal took the bull by the horns and CHALLENGED the offensiveness of taking only a superficial view of people and made one think about "inner beauty" in a positive way. It was not the best film I have ever seen, nor the funniest but I certainly did not think it was offensive - offensive to whom and why? I speak as one who has always carried a good few kilos of extra weight even as a kid at school - thankfully I managed to develop a sense of humour that made people laugh WITH me rather than at me!

Shallow Hal must have started out as a screenplay. I wonder how it got read. It attracted talent, had a budget of $40 and grossed over $140mm worldwide. Does success mitigate offense?

SHALLOW HAL (and that title tells us who has the problem in the story) was written/produced/directed by the brothers who made DUMB & DUMBER and a bunch of other hit comedies... so they had the connections to just get it made. Also, the story was not about the woman being fat, but the man thinking that was a problem. In the end, her weight is not the problem, his attitude towards her weight was the problems.

Gareth don't forget many beloved movies that went on to gross tons of money were rejected at first.

I'm told "Harold and Maude" was a flop when it first came out. Some still consider the bed scene offensive.

In my opinion, comedy usually touches on sensitive subjects... that's what makes it funny. Don't give up... maybe your market is in England. I wouldn't rule that out! Best of Luck.

You should send your script to get coverage. Also send it to a few people who don't know you and that will give you an honest feedback. It's the best way to get honest advice. Fat comedians...make a ton of money making fun of being fat.

I have heard British and American senses of humor are very different, so it could be this general variance in taste that has limited your success in the States. Given that being overweight is often fertile ground for comedy in America, I would hope that losing weight should not be taboo. Obviously never having seen the script, I think the concept would be strongest if you can use potentially offensive situations to get at the truth about obesity and weight loss and deliver a powerful message in the end. I have to say I really like the idea; it sounds like it has a lot of promise.

Shallow Hal. I thought it was one of Jack Black's better efforts. He can be so annoying but lovable. I liked the film.

America is on the 'no bullying' rampage and the First Lady is pushing to make America eat healthy so there are no fat kids. So it may be what you have in your pitch that gets that response. If you would share your logline, maybe we could help in some way. Good luck.

If it's funny, I'll laugh; if it's cruel, I won't.