I'm going to open a can of worms here. Don't get me wrong, I recognize the value of some of these script analysis programs and would like to take advantage of them and have in the past several times. I used to enter script contests just to get the feedback, because I always feel like another set of eyes can benefit my work. It's not that I am not confident, I mean I write novels and have no worries about what the novel is when I am done with it and when they have gotten published, I have had to do very little editing. That's something I am particular about and have strategies to make sure the editing is as clean as I can make it.
The problem I find, though, is I have had script analysis done, even had coverage a time or two and entered contests, placing in a few, but not the prestigious ones. I have gotten some analysis done that has contradicted other analysis and feel pretty confident that if I send it out again, I will get more contradictory analysis. I have no problem fixing the issues raised during the feedback and usually feel like the script is pretty tight after analysis. I try to write tight scripts and re-read and re-write them. I know how to re-write, I have to go through a novel several times before I feel it is what I want it to be.
So, that's kind of long-winded to ask these questions: What sort of analysis is worth it? How often should I have to submit it in order to feel like I have gotten the script into shape? Do I need a budget for analysis?
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Download the Stage32 webinar on script notes. It gives you the tools to analyze your own work the way pros do, so you can hunt for things to change on your own rather than pay someone. If the nagging question remains, “Is this story good enough?” then you’re paying someone for their subjective opinion and there’s no ceiling for that. People will keep commenting as long as you keep paying. There has to come a point where you decide to trust your work and no payment threshold can tell you when that is. That’s all a long-winded way to say: If you have to ask, you’ve probably already spent too much.
Stephen, I think that's what I was getting at. I haven't sent anything out for a while, because I trust my own ability, but I wanted another opinion.
Ok. You’re ugly, too.
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But to be serious, there’s a lot of forum users who would be glad to help for free. Just issue an all-call for assistance.
Where can I get that webinar? I looked around through the webinars. And, thanks a lot for your help. I hope I didn't sound ungrateful. I just try to be very conscious of people's time.
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The word analysis is a good hint. Art is not a standard. Therefore the concept of analysis isn’t legitimate.
Let’s compare Jackson Pollack to Rembrandt. Seems silly in all art forms except writing.
Feedback is good. Things like “the story got slow around page 39”, or “the scene at the picnic, you made that point already, you could drop that scene and it wouldn’t matter”. Things about story and character.
Why a character did something is a great question. Or that a reader feels a character isn’t believable or they’re just to serve a plot point. This is all feedback, not analysis.
The most valuable feedback is based on how the reader feels or felt.
People charging you money want to use the word “analysis” as it gives authority. Feedback doesn’t sound as impressive and is much harder sell when they want to charge you money.
http://email.mg.stage32.co/c/eJxNj82KwzAMhJ-mvm2QJcuRDz6ELn0Pt3Z-oE5C4iX...
Craig, all good points. As a novelist, my work is not as subject, nor am I too interested in hearing subjective input into my work, but I recognize a screenplay as a collaborative effort from the get go and so am more willing to hear from other people. Also, having worked as a producer, I understand how the process needs to be supported along the way. I have had limited success writing screenplays, but I would like, to get something to stick.
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Personally I never spent any money to have analysis done. Know a lot of people who do it and from what I've heard them say it really depend on who the person is that is doing the analysis because all you're paying for is that someone's opinion. Obviously if you send it to two different people for analysis you'd probably end up getting two different opinions. I am not planning on have analysis done on any of my screenplays but if I did I would just find one person who I trust and only make changes I thought would help my screenplay.
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Is it 'worth it'? Worth it to who? Remember that what's treasure to you may be trash to another.
The analysis you have received is completely useless. You are not being read by gatekeepers, rather readers. Stop paying for that crap. Don't waste your money on small contests. If you want good, valuable feedback for free, I recommend joining The WRAC Group on twitter. @TheWRACGroup
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JJ, thank you. I am primarily a novelist, so highly isolated and sought something valuable. I will take your advice. I have never put a lot of stock in it, though they were right a number of times, I still always looked to whether I thought it was valid or not.
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You will come across good notes in these contests, but the problem is they'll get lost in the contradictory notes. It's tough out there, but you don't have to pay for anything.