MY TIP TO SERIOUS SCREENWRITERS: Once you find an exec/professional who gives great feedback that clicks with you, return to them for more, until they say your work on that script is done. I used to get professional feedback by bouncing from one exec to another who specialized in the genre of the script I was working on. But one exec's feedback could conflict with another's. So I would then move on and write a new script.
Last year, I took a class from a terrific literary manager whose feedback clicked with me. I started using her exclusively for feedback on my outlines and scripts. When she expressed interest in sending out one particular script when it was ready, I decided to devote this year to working on that script with her until she says it's ready. The early revisions required some major rewriting. But last month, she said my 4th version was getting very close and gave me only small notes.
It's been an education working with a single mentor throughout the revisions. She really knows my characters and the story. I appreciate the way she's encouraging, yet very honest. She makes me excited to do the revisions, and I can see how all my work is raising the quality in each revised version.
MY NOV. WRITE CLUB UPDATE: Yesterday, I finished the 5th revision (one of my November Write Club goals) based on our mentor call 3 weeks ago. I feel really good about it (I cried reading two scenes!). Fingers crossed my mentor agrees when we discuss it on Wednesday!
3 people like this
Great tip! Congrats on getting to your 5th rev! Fingers crossed for you.
4 people like this
That's fantastic advice, Martha Caprarotta! Congratulations again on reaching one of your NWC goals! Hope your mentor agrees with you!
5 people like this
Couldn't agree more with this advice! A lot of times I see scripts from friends, colleagues, clients that I've given notes on come back looking completely different and not in a good way. It's real that you can have too many cooks in the kitchen when re-writing, and often times hearing differing styles of problem solving and ways to improve things can lead to adverse results. Some chefs like searing, others like braising, frying, grilling, baking, or even parboiling! The styles don't always fit together and lead to the perfect dish (script). When you find someone you like, you should absolutely work with them again. The best creative collaborations come from deep understanding of you, your voice and your material and it's harder to get that from a series of separate one offs in my experience.
4 people like this
Pat Alexander , Maurice Vaughan , Joo Lee , Thanks for your encouragement. Best wishes to all of you with your projects!
4 people like this
You're welcome, Martha Caprarotta. Thanks.
5 people like this
Martha Caprarotta well done, Martha, on reaching one of your NWC goals. Keep us posted on how that meeting goes.
3 people like this
Good words that I know are true Martha Caprarotta . I did this with one of my fav execs and went back to him time and time again. He saw through the work and made it so much better and used scenes from movies I love as examples. Got some recommends from him as well. I've often said that if I could work with him on a full-time basis I absolutely would and wish I could.
4 people like this
my scripts shred me too. i feel all the pain I put my characters through.
4 people like this
Martha Caprarotta That's really great advice. Congratulations on finishing your 5th revision.
3 people like this
This post of yours is so true, Martha Caprarotta. Connecting with a professional, using their notes, and then continuing to build that relationship is so critical on a writer's journey. Well said. Nice progress on your NWC goals too.