We've all read posts by writers who express frustration about how they feel like they've "addressed all the notes" and were surprised that they continue to receive more notes and notes on different topics. Obviously writing is an iterative process, and more obviously, this is a reductive post! But I thought I'd share something I wrote to a new writer this morning: It’s common sense, but please know that many changes a writer makes will result in a ripple effect (for your Brits/Aussies, a knock-on effect) across other parts of the story. The important point is that revisions are not made in isolation or in a vacuum. That’s a chief reason why notes “change” from one draft to the next. If you add a bunch of oregano to spaghetti, maybe you need less salt and more pepper than you expected. Don't be frustrated if you keep getting notes and suggestions. Peyton Manning and Tom Brady still need coaching too.
Screenwriting : "But I did all the notes..." by Regina Lee
"But I did all the notes..."
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Great words, Regina! I find that regardless of the spices on the spaghetti, if you have enough (fresh) parmesan (cheese) on top, there's a good chance that what you have is palatable.
Getting feedback and being able to effectively apply it is an art in itself in my opinion.
After a sale many of the notes you get will be "experimental" - the Devo or production executive or director or star or star's dog walker will have an idea, but they are unable to imagine the screenplay with that idea in action. So you get the note, execute it, and now they are able to see whether the note works or not. Usually we can see all the way down the road and see that the note will not work at all, or will not do what they may imagine it will accomplish; but they can not see that. So we often write drafts only so they can see whether that note works or not. It's frustrating at times, but just part of the biz. Though I think anyone who lacks the imagination to see where this note leads doesn't have the imagination to be in the business and should be taken to the city limits and banished from Los Angeles and the business... that is never going to happen. So "What if they are cowboys?" gets a draft. Hopefully a paid one.
Hello Regina, I just passed by to say hello, I'm working in many scripts, I'll contact you as a script consultant, when the times come, any way good pints here. I'm also developing a documentary about my sculptures. Cheers, Joaquin.
Cheers, Joaquin. Thanks for your message. Good luck with your doco!