Screenwriting : When to use feedback... by Katie Overstreet

Hi there. I struggled with this exact thing for awhile while I found my script voice. In my opinion, ALL feedback is coming from a reader's personal preference (unless it's about formatting which should probably be followed, though sometimes it can be a preference). There are no exact rules to tell YOUR story. From the moment your script's first letter is on the page - the possibilities are endless no matter what story you are telling.

If you get a note, you don't agree with then ignore it. You're the writer. It's your story, not anyone else's (well until a prod company is attached and a director and you get sequels ordered, blah blah blah... then it becomes less of yours... but that's a different article lol) We all have ideas on how to make a produced film better (they should have done this or they should have cut that - but it was their story to tell... and yes some suggestions would objectively make a story better, but at a certain point we just have to accept the direction the writer/filmmaker took).

Notes are all suggestions and if it doesn't make you go "Ohhhh that's a great idea! I can't wait to rewrite and work that in" - then don't use it. Or maybe just use it as a jumping off point for an even better rewrite later <-- this is typically what I do when getting feedback.

Trust what you are writing is going to connect with people the way you intend and pick up pieces here and there when they fall.

I hope this helps and good luck!

Perfectly stated Charles. I struggle with the same thing. If more than one person points out the same issues, then I usually make the changes but sometimes other readers see it "their way" which doesn't make it correct either. That's just how they would write it. If it's formatted correctly and moves the story forward, then keep it in there. It's all subjective. With one of my scripts, I've had it read by 4 different coverage sites. Two people ripped it apart and two loved it. And it also advanced in a contest. Go figure. So go with your gut! Good luck!

I'm not sure if there's a way to know when feedback is coming from a reader's personal preference and when it's not, Katie Overstreet.

If you're ok with me giving you two tips:

#1) Each reader will give different feedback. Take the feedback that you think is useful and leave the rest.

#2) Getting feedback is great, but it can feel like you're stuck in a cycle (as you mentioned). At some point after getting feedback a number of times, you should be confident that your script is ready to pitch or make, which means no longer seeking feedback. Sometimes we can get so much feedback and change our scripts so much, the scripts get worse, or we lose our stories in the rewrites.

I do that too, Charles Valentin-Stulck. "Or maybe just use it as a jumping off point for an even better rewrite later <-- this is typically what I do when getting feedback."

Some people just don't like flashbacks in a screenplay. Personally, I don't care either way but I only use them if there is a reason to do so. I never get feedback on my screenplays so I never get conflicting opinions.

I've been having a similar issue lately too. All readers are ultimately coming from personal preferences. I have a script that when execs read it they love it, but when I have industry readers take a look at it, they don't like it, and all differ on what should change to make it work. I'm to the point now where I trust in my voice, and I'm not changing anything unless I'm getting something in return. I actually spoke with a bunch of script readers recently, and there were certain things that everyone used as a guide (three-act structure, formatting, character arc). But readers can favor different genres or writing styles. I think if you're getting the same note repeatedly, then you need to make a change. For notes that are different, it becomes the "what is the 'note' behind the 'note.'" And I always try to look at it through the filter of "does that change support my theme? my protagonist's arc? Does it push the story forward?" OR "is it adding in something new that doesn't go anywhere" If you like this script as is, then maybe set it aside for a bit and come back to it later. You might feel differently, or you might stand by your script even more. I hope this helps!

I like that, Emily J: And I always try to look at it through the filter of "does that change support my theme? my protagonist's arc? Does it push the story forward?" OR "is it adding in something new that doesn't go anywhere"

Rule of the Socratic Method: The more the Reader / Evaluator / Critic can reasonably explain their criticisms / issues with details, facts, evidence, and logic to back up their opinions, the more credibility they have.

Trust your gut. If they make a poor argument as to why something needs to change, ignore them. If everybody listened to every Reddit / Youtube comment nothing would would ever be good.

I hope this metaphor lands.

You will outgrow it like advice from your parents.

Unless a piece of advice jumps off the page. Unless a piece of advice informs you of something YOU realise you have missed. Unless a piece of advice informs you of the audiences reaction.

Ignore it.

All these notes/advice are someone’s opinion. Unless that opinion rings a large bell in your head, ignore it. If you take it as a “must follow” you are surrendering your autonomy to someone else.

Agree with everyone here.

I’ve gotten notes that completely made sense, and a few that didn’t. Sometime the ones that don’t make sense are the ones that make me take another pass through my script to see if I may have written something that the reader didn’t get as clearly as I had intended it. In a couple of instances, I could see that the reader might have been confused by something I wrote that just needed to be reworked a little better.

More often than not, the notes I get have been constructive and helpful, even if I don’t agree with all of them.

"In a couple of instances, I could see that the reader might have been confused by something I wrote that just needed to be reworked a little better." Rosalind Winton talks about that in a blog, Jacqueline. https://www.stage32.com/blog/how-to-constructively-receive-script-feedba...

My "favorite" feedback (being sarcastic here) is when the reader is like, "Why did you write this story; you should have written a different story" !!!!

@Michael David I had some feedback that was similar and I actually liked it, “it is boring. It a fight or something in the middle”.

Craig D Griffiths ... No, that's not what I mean (sorry I didn't explain it properly!) What I mean is feedback that says, "Why did you write a story about high school kids solving crimes... you should have written about their teacher who becomes a drug dealer, instead!"

I've found one of the best things with notes is: does the note speak to you? Meaning, does it speak to your story, your intention? It's an answer that comes from your gut, and if the notes aren't something your gut agrees is right for the story, then don't take it.

One common answer is to look at the note behind the note. Meaning, if they say "I don't like that he does this... what if he did this..." You don't necessarily have to take their suggestion, BUT it could be indicating that you didn't sell the reason your character takes a specific action. If you get different notes but always in the same spot, it might be telling you that something about that spot (or the moments leading to it) isn't clear.

In terms of implementing notes, there are a couple of ways to go. You can get feedback from a couple of people, knowing you're going to do a new draft. Once you get the notes, you can see what notes you agree with, and kind of make a game plan for tackling the next draft. Or you can get notes, make changes, and get notes from someone else.

I don't know if you're working on a pilot or a feature, but when it comes to structural notes: those can be pretty objective. Like a person can say, "your act two wasn't clear to me." Notes on the character's actions or emotional motivations are more subjective. What one person may find obtuse, another may see as obvious. Again, the biggest note I would give is: if it resonates with you, take it. If it doesn't, then don't. However, keep in mind if you keep getting the same note or notes in the same place, it may be time to look at the note behind the note. What's not being translated between your intention and what's on the page? How can you better convey what YOU want to convey?

All u need is minimum of two different source feedbacks...see if they merge on things, pay attention there...if they're completely sideways, most probably their personal bs...

...also don't take people seriously not commenting the story but only technical aspects...u got SW for that...mostly free btw...

Charles Valentin-Stulck thank you, and solid advice. I'm pretty much at that place. I usually only make changes if I feel it works in the story I'm trying to tell or if I get similar feedback from multiple people. I guess I had different expectations from the process and now that I see many writers experienced the same feeling, I know that I'm not alone!

@Christine Capone, thank you! It's good to know that so many have felt the same way and had a similar experience. I like to go with my gut in other areas of my life, so I'm happy to hear that advice and practice that in my writing, too!

Couple of drafts, feedback and a final draft to check for typos and formatting, and thats it! Every script has issues- that is what development is for. Employers pay for ideas and then tell you what they want fixed, or hire someone else. A writer-peer created a tv series airing this year and it took her 6-years from paper to production, multiple showrunners & execs fired, they even reshot the pilot. I cant imagine the feedback she got from bosses fired and hired. Sheesh.

write a lot, keep submitting "finished" specs for job auditions, win over peers for future favors.

Maurice Vaughan Emily J Dan Guardino B A Mason Michael Deahn Michael David Craig D Griffiths Jacqueline Sandee Valle Thank you for the advice and words of wisdom. I feel better about what to do with feedback now!

Heather Ostrove and Kiril Maksimoski, it wouldn't let me tag you but thank you also for the advice and words of wisdom!

Dan MaxXx, thank you! It's good to know that keeping at it can pay off.

You're welcome, Katie Overstreet. Hope you find success with your script!

Hello, Katie! Always keep an open mind. I always try the feedback, whether my initial impulse is to ignore it or not. I have so many versions of my scripts, I can play with suggestions. Some I keep, some I throw away, but I always try to listen.

As a former script reader, when I wrote coverage and gave feedback I always gave detailed explanation on how my suggestion would move the story forward, how it would affect the dynamics between all the characters as well as how the audience would perceive this change. If the feedback you're getting doesn't give an in depth analysis as to why a change is necessary, just keep that feedback on hold and maintain the script as you envisioned it, because it could be the reader's personal preference and they didn't really think about the bigger picture, the domino effect of this change.

Think of it this way, 50 people can witness the same incident, however there will be 50 different accounts of how it happened (like the movie "Vantage Point" (2008)).

You could also write several versions of the same script, there's no law that says you can" do that :-D

Yay! Katie Overstreet This was a really useful posting with lots of helpful feedback. Best of luck with your script!

Great advice, everyone. I liked "Vantage Point," Elizabeth.

Matthew Parvin thanks! I do try to keep an open mind with suggestions but if a suggestion is too far away from the story, I'll give it some consideration as to if it would work, but if it doesn't then I'll just ignore it.

Elizabeth Francois, thank you for your insight! That's very helpful to hear from a former script reader!