Hey guys! Just curious to find out if there's a standard approach to passing on a script (especially if you were the one who reached out to the writer in the first place). It's got to be one of the most common things in the industry but is there a right way to do it? Do you give them a reason why? Do you just say no thanks. Do you even need to say anything at all? Just curious to find out what some of you have come up with?
Filmmaking / Directing : Thanks, But No Thanks by Dylan Kress
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It's a difficult thing. I've done it and I have felt like crap because I was the one who asked for the script. I felt obligated to tell them something. Something like, "I enjoyed your work but I need this story to go in a specific direction. " "I commissioned several writers and I have already picked the best script for this project in particular". Rejection is rejection...no matter how nice you are, it's gonna hurt a bit.
First, yes, you should respond. For a writer who has sent material out (particularly on request), it's a bit like being an actor on an audition. You go in, do the audition and, if it went well, you get a callback. If not, you never hear anything... but writers, unlike actors, expect (and, in my opinion), deserve to hear back one way or another. How you respond depends on several factors - do you think the writer is talented but just didn't have a strong reaction to this particular script? Or is the script, in your opinion, just... not good and neither is the writer. Ultimately, you can use the standard "unfortunately, this doesn't fit in with our current slate," or, if you feel like it, go into more detail. Bottom line is: There's no way to let someone down or crush their dreams. Offer a bit of feedback and keep it simple.
Dylan, it's a tricky one. Personally I only like to hear back if someone is interested in taking things further.
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I think there may have been a bit of confusion about my question. I haven't asked someone to write something and then not like what they've written. My question was about finding a writer who already had scripts written and I've simply asked to read what has already been written. Nobody has specifically done work for me in this situation. Sorry for the confusion. Perhaps I could have worded my question better. Thanks for all the good advice guys! Cheers, Dylan
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Well, the usual way people handle "passing" on a script that they themselves requested to read is silence -- no response. However, a quick thank you with maybe something nice about the script and a short reason why it just didn't work would be kind. The person did share their work, right? Show a little respect. Be courteous. Be better than the norm. Who knows, that writer may have something much much better in the future. Why burn bridges? :)
Alle - based on Dylan's post, I'd guess that he requested to read a script from the writer, not offered an OWA, hired the writer and then decided to pass. That'd be a little odd, no? After all, if he (Dylan) owned the underlying material, he would be free to (after fulfilling the terms of whatever contract was negotiated) bring on another writer and the question would be unnecessary. A simple, "I feel like we've gone as far as we can. Thank you for your work" would suffice... Right? Right. But, you know, thanks for trying to tell me how things work... By the way? How many of your feature films have been released? Would love to watch one. Are they on Netflix? Showtime?