Recently, I went through a Stage 32 script analysis program and found the analysis justifiably devastating.
First off, she asked, "Why does that (sexual abuse) always have to be a thing?" I get it. Yet, it's there bc I've been close to many women who've had that in their lives. I'm still considering whether to axe it from the script. Maybe it's always a thing bc, it's so prevalent in the world and still, or forever needs to be talked about.
But then she made a more crucial observation about the victim's weak and unequal response to the crime. Ok, so she kills the guy. But into the future, she doesnt carry his crime against her with anything substantial. Thats absolutely not going to happen in real life, nor should it appear in any script. It's going to be a lifelong struggle for the victim. Forgiveness is a thing I've heard in advice from others, but I never would think of suggesting it. And yet it's right there in my own script!
This is where getting objective analysis for me at least becomes essential. What she pointed out was obvious. I should've caught it. When I showed the script to my close relative who has sexual abuse in her history, she didn't catch it either.
This made me realize that people who know me aren't always going to divorce that awareness from the text I've written. My relative and I talk about her history all the time. A former girlfriend even over the last few days, even today has been texting me about her history with it. Additionally all the other conversations through my life with friends, girlfriends, even former wife. Being a willing, pissed off and sympathetic ear is a part of my DNA at this point. And yet I failed to see the obvious in my own writing about it. Really unconscionable.
Objective readers don't bring any of that prior awareness about you to the table.
Objective analysis is invaluable. No matter how awful it makes me feel about myself. Just get back up and fix it. Thats all there is to it. Isn't that the point of life anyway? Make myself better? Let others try to make me a better person? And if I'm able, try my best to make others happy?
For providing the service, kudos to Stage 32 and to the reader.
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Alan Kelley - I have goosebumps reading your post here. First of all, my sincere sympathy goes out to the people close to you in your life who have experienced sexual abuse. It says a lot about what a great person you are to be there for them through such a difficult circumstance. As hard as that is, it's raw, it's powerful and the passion you feel for their horrible experience has clearly found it's way into your script. That's what being a great writer is. I once heard a quote that I love that "Writing is purification of all that is sick in a person" - that's what getting your emotions, feelings, experiences on the page is for. Conversely, it says a lot about you as a professional (read: professional, not artist) that you are able to divorce your personal feelings and experiences on the subject and listen objectively to an industry professional who is only giving you their feedback because they know what it's like to be in rooms and they want to give you the best chance to succeed in a room. Now, you get the exciting task of taking those notes, taking your emotions/passion/feelings and marrying the two to make your script even better. That, my friend, is pure growth. I hope you kick ass at doing a polish on your script draft. I can't wait to hear you come on the other side and say how much better those notes made it. You inspired the hell out of me from this post. It embodies the very reason why RB created the Stage 32 community and our script services - it's to help you learn, grow and continue to get better. Keep us all posted on how your polish goes, and thank you again for sharing.
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Thank you, Amanda. I'm still a bit shell-shocked about myself to start in on it yet. It's going to be more than polish. Fixing will require a major re-write. Plus she mentioned other things that need fixing, from formatting to the rendering of themes. All useful stuff to be sure.
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Alan Kelley I'm glad you're happy with your script analysis. However, that's something I would never pay for because I prefer to write my screenplays my way. The only person who has ever given me feedback is my agent, and I only make changes if I feel they will improve my screenplay. I'm probably a lone wolf when it comes to this.
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What is the world & plot? Thats what script readers need to read on page 1. We're crafting stories with the tools of the trade: setups & payoffs, mcGuffin, twists, misdirection, conflict. This personal stuff you mentioned is your backstory, not the characters. This spec screenplay must show you can execute a story, real or fiction, with a central theme from beginning to end.
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Alan Kelley - being shell shocked is okay and it's normal. Take all the time you need to digest the notes and think clearly on how you want to apply them. Step away from the script for a little while - go paint a painting, take a camping trip, hell, do a puzzle. Allow room in your mind to open up to approach how you want to do your polish... and I will keep calling it a polish, because rewrite may seem daunting :) I promise you - absolutely promise you that your next draft will come out even better. And, when you are ready to tackle the script again I have a webinar for you to help you approach it, How the Pros Rewrite & Polish. I'm going to DM you a coupon code so you can take it for free, I hope it helps in your process: https://www.stage32.com/education/c/education-webinars?h=how-the-pros-re...
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Wow! Thank you. Major rewrites aren't daunting. I do them all the time. I get to spend more time with the characters. Yet it would be great to get to some kind of finish line.