Screenwriting : Sifting through by J.M. Gulmire

I think it is allright to ignore feedback that does not feel right for you. Being honest to yourself is the most important thing imho.

We should value every feedback, because people had given their personal time to think over our texts, but we should also trust our own instincts what is right.

The feedback I dont like most is the feedback that is showing me the true weakness of the text. This is the most important feedback.

Jessica, sometimes I take a break from reading feedback, then go back with fresh eyes. It helps me see which notes are useful and which aren't.

You've got to believe in yourself, but recognise when it can be improved. I break it down, comment by comment, and use more than one set of feedback to work with. Some comments will totally resonate. They are tackled first. Then there are comments which initially I recoil at, but after further thought decide to act upon. Lastly there are comments which make me wonder if they read the script properly. The other reason is I’ve made it too difficult to follow. Those comments I find the hardest to deal with. If I feel the core story is being compromised, then I’ll probably ignore it, otherwise I’ll adapt the script.

Listen to folks invested in your work, like to reps & filmmakers. Everyone else (including me) is just guessing, and even pro writers dont know... or just "fix it in post"... but we gotta get to the starting line first to get to post! :)

As above, the feedback to listen to as a spec writer is that which stems from people who genuinely appreciate what you're trying to do and want your voice to be better represented. There's plenty of people out there more than happy to give an opinion but many of them won't be able to put subjectivity aside and will try to paint over your work in the process.

A lot of aspiring writers think this is all a game of trying to please everyone but it's more like the opposite - you have to have the strength to stand by your artistic convictions.

Everything changed for me when I STOPPED listening to what everyone thought about my work and focused more on the theory surrounding the craft.

I never have a problem with feedback because I don't get it unless someone is paying me or I am working with them. Most people you pay for feedback aren't successful screenwriters so take what they say with a grain of salt. If you really do want to get feedback check the people out first.

I am a big fan of trying to figure out why they are saying what they are saying. People describe this as “the note under the note”.

Go with your gut and listen to a theme or repeat of people's CONSTRUCTIVE criticism. If it's not working for a handful of people there in may lay the rub. Always be open to change, but yes changing things to appease everything will have your changing more things than lightbulbs on a city block! Gut is always the way to go and asking follow up questions and seeking their ideas might have of how to fix something and/or might spark other ideas.

Hi @marymihelic. Have you contacted Stage 32 and asked for assistance with folllow-up questions. Jason Mirch (j.mirch@Stage32.com). He is very helpful.

I've found this process is so much like ballroom dancing it's not funny. Our Italian coach advised us to "take what you need to improve your dancing" and leave the rest. What one coach sees as right for you might not actually be. For example, I had a hip replacement some years ago and need to be careful with certain dance moves because of it, so I take/adapt what I need and simplify, simplify.

I've found with feedback on my writing/screenplay there is always a nub of something useful, something that can be developed, something that can be written another way. If the same theme or comment is repeated by different readers, take note. They are probably onto something! Our dance coach's advice stands here too... take what you need to improve, but stay true to your story. After all, it is your story.

You have to balance it out, too. Sometimes people just don't get it.. I have a pilot script with November in the title, it begins on a date in November, and a character named November is introduced in the first scene. "Does this November have anything to do with it?"

Sorta like what Forest said - it's 'like a box of chocolates, you never know what you'll get'. Most of the feedback comes from the peanut gallery and the pollywog puddle and is of no value whatsoever. Occasionally you'll get some valuable and helpful feedback but it's nearly impossible to pull it out from all the junk. My advice is to never ask for advice - bury yourself in the learning and go your own way. Pretty soon, they'll be asking for your advice. You know that you've made it then. Help those that follow you.

Loving all of this! I never pay for feedback, it just seems weird to me so most of my readers are pretty solid. Def have to rely on intuition and trust the repeating criticisms haha

Thanks everybody!

You're welcome, Jessica.

Hey J.M. Gulmire if you have folks that you trust to give you quality feedback then that's a good thing.. And it's true that ultimately it's your project so you have to choose what you will and won't use. I've had feedback that had suggestions with what changes to make. Some I agreed with and some I didn't.