A friend of mine contacted me this morning via IM and left me a message that clearly indicated that she upset about the negative script notes she received from a paid professional. Holy moly, if you want to pay for script consulting and notes, that’s great; and if you receive some benefit, or the notes are consistent with what several other reader’s are saying, then you may do well to take stock in those consistent evaluations. But don’t let one opinion rock your world. Every screenwriter who reads your script will probably will have thoughts on what they would do different or better. This reminds me some dialogue I love about having some other writer read your work. It’s from the whimsical comedy Midnight In Paris. And I believe Woody Allen hits it out of the park with this passage of dialogue:
GIL:
Would you do me the biggest favor in the world – I can’t even ask.
HEMINGWAY:
What?
GIL:
Would you read it?
HEMINGWAY:
Your novel?
GIL:
It’s only about four hundred pages – If you would just give me your opinion.
HEMINGWAY:
My opinion is I hate it.
GIL:
You do?
HEMINGWAY:
If it’s bad, I’ll hate because I hate bad writing and if it’s good, I’ll be envious and hate it all the more. You don’t want the opinion of another writer.
GIL:
But there’s no one I really trust to evaluate it.
HEMINGWAY:
Writers are competitive.
GIL:
I could never compete with you.
I've printed this quote in the forum before and will do it again. Remember to believe in what you're doing and don't always change something because a reader, consultant or even your mom doesn't like it.
1 person likes this
Okay, I find that cynical (Hemingway and Allen). And, personally speaking, I'm no Hemingway fan. Lol! I certainly don't feel that way nor have I experienced anything like that from any other writer or artist. Most creative people enjoy talking about and sharing all things creative. And it's not so much about stereotyping writers as a group, but rather specific individuals and their individual issues. Personally, I could care less about competitiveness. If someone seems "competitive" to me I walk away. Whatta waste of time. I have no patience for negativity or cynicism. It gets in the way and certainly is counterproductive. Now instead of focusing on the work some person is distracting with their arbitrary issues. What's helpful is finding people who can be objective. Most "pros" I have encountered have been helpful, generous, and can easily separate the work from themselves, be objective. To me it's not just "having thick skin," which helps, certainly, but also learning to detect the toxic from the constructive and always ignore the toxic. If the reviewer mentioned above is a person whose opinion has much weight of experience behind it, perhaps they work in a specific genre, etc, and the notes were given constructively, then I would suggest after giving it a few days for the emotional sting to settle to then come back to those notes and consider them again as objectively as possible. Could those comments make the script better? Or not? A perceived "negative" note might be the very thing that helps push the writer to go further, to consider something in a new light, to produce something better, to get the script where it was intended to go. Getting a negative note is upsetting, constructive or not, but what you choose to do with it is up to you. ;)
That is such a great film. Corey Stoll as Hemingway nails it. Speaking of Corey Stoll...I watched Non-Stop last night. Man....that is one crazy good film, and that script maximizes all of the elements of a great action-thriller. If you haven't seen it, you should.
Regarding script notes...great consultants understand drama, and utilize the elements of objective criticism and effective communication. Bad ones don't.
Here is that clip between Hemingway and Gil in Midnight in Paris. I love that film.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wM06z5lA74
Beth: not to try to influence your opinion on the writer who probably influenced more American writers than any other writer in the history of American writing...heh-heh...okay, so maybe I am just a little...but that portrayal in that scene of Hemingway was an absurd portrayal of him, based on some of his truths. Other scenes in that film portrayed him quite differently. But Hemingway did in fact share very graciously with his peers, and also in writings about writing that were shared with the public.
1 person likes this
Yup. Still not a fan. ;))))
2 people like this
Who do you ask to read your screenplay? ;)
2 people like this
Roxanne:
I don't pay for script coverage. I'm looking to sell scripts and not pay folks to read them. However, I have three or four writers that I trust to exchange work with and they're all exceptional at what they do. Beyond that I trust my instincts and don't change my work for anybody who doesn't have skin in the game and even then unless their idea is better than mine. I recently rewrote about 40 percent of a script that was optioned and being shopped by a director. His ideas were good.
2 people like this
Laura
I'll be sure to notify Woody Allen about your opinion of his work, as I'm sure he'll spend hours deliberating about it. Woody's awesome career accomplishments include directing 66 films and winning these awards.
Among his many competitive awards, he has won four Academy Awards, ten BAFTA awards, and two Golden Globe Awards. Allen has won three Oscars for Best Original Screenplay for Annie Hall (1977), Hannah and Her Sisters (1986), and Midnight in Paris (2011), and one for Best Director for Annie Hall.
The guy is fantastic!
My bottom line is doing just fine. But your concern is touching and a wonderful indicator of your kindness as a fellow/writer consultant. As far as my notes or any other work, you may assume anything you like, since it won't affect my life or career trajectory in any way. And, since it's more than highly unlikely we'll ever be working together or exchanging services, I wish you the greatest success with your endeavors. Thanks for your free advice and counsel. I'm sure with all your experience folks in this thread would love to hear about what you think is helpful instead of focusing on me.
1 person likes this
Bill C: Thanks for fixing my typo Bro. Next time I'm in Vegas I'm paying for coffee and a sweet roll.
1 person likes this
To be honest, I'm surprised and skeptical, and based on my own personal experience with my mentor and working folks who have been incredibly helpful to me, I also disagree with the notion that writers are competitive and jealous. It truly boils down to individuals and their own personal issues and attitudes. And to add, I'm no Woody Allen fan either. Lol! :)
Phil, yeah I gotta agree with you - Woody's starting to get the hang of it.
Yeah, I have not seen any Woody Allen movies in years... And won't.
1 person likes this
Everything I have ever read from any other writer is crap and I let them know! Along with telling them to look for a new profession! More opportunities for me!
2 people like this
Okay, that's not jealousy that's just mean. Lol! ;)))
1 person likes this
Beth, what John said is pretty mean spirited for sure. But let me add that during the past couple of decades, i've read a gazillion so called "scripts" and the VAST majority are crap! As a rule, I try to be not judgemental about the writer but some are so bad and obnoxious about it that I'd like to strangle 'em or at least tell 'em to look for another line of work...I try to keep my cool (but some make it hard.) I love working with/mentoring newbies who show a creative spark and the determination to follow through. I doubt that I've recommended more than half a dozen scripts that have gone on to be greenlighted and only a couple have ever made it to the silver screen. But hope springs eternal.
1 person likes this
I was totally joking about my comment btw=)
John, I assumed you were.
1 person likes this
Reviewing this thread Note to myself: Dear Lord, you have asked me to bear this burden and I will carry it to the best of my ability. But why me? Rhetorical question. I pray nobody else cracks wise.
If I got script notes like this, I'd immediately fire that person. These are more like directors notes, and are not helpful to the writer. He(she)'s a wanna be scriptwriter who can't see the forest for the trees.
Greg: If you're referring to the picture I just found that online somewhere. I'm not sure if they're real or not. I could be a shooting script but can't be certain.
Oh editors...of any shape and size. :)