Here is what I’m learning in my journey of Screenwriting: everyone is going have an opinion of your work, and everyone is going to want to have a say in it. The question is: whether or not you listen to it.
Let me preface by saying, I actually value people’s opinions and I do believe that suggestions to alter or change your script can be invaluable, especially if the suggestions are coming from people you admire and respect. However, there comes a certain point in your script where you know it’s at its best possible draft for where you want it to be, and I’m writing you all here saying: Don’t lose your vision– stick to your guns.
Getting notes for many writers is hard. You spend countless hours on your butt, sipping various caffeinated beverages, pouring your heart and soul into a piece of work, that you feel very proud of, and then you excitedly give it to someone to read, who tears it apart. WTF? “Are you crazy? This was brilliant and you just don’t see what I see!!!” After a big mental temper tantrum, you take a deep breath and realize you’ll do what it takes to get your movie made and surrender to inarguable fact that “Writing is re-writing”.
Several people have asked me: how do you cope? How do you deal with notes? The 3 mantras I have always stuck to and has kept me sane during the years and years of rewrites are:
- “Am I still telling the story I intended to tell by applying this note?”
- “Does this note make my movie better and further my story?”
- I was always told: Write the movie you wanna watch. So I’ll ask myself “Do I still wanna watch this movie, after applying these notes?”
I’ll look back at older drafts and cringe at the thought that I once thought that was a perfect script, and be grateful I rewrote it. Script development can be a long arduous process, but in retrospect, I can say I am grateful for all I have learned and experienced along the way. I have had countless notes and meetings with various people, a lot of industry professionals, whose input truly has made the script better, so I cannot deny that. But I digress…
The REAL reason I am writing this article today is I believe I have reached that point of no return with my first script. I’m very happy where it’s at and I have a very specific vision for it, and I have to stick to it at the moment. Nobody I collaborate with now can tell me I’m not a team player and I’m not willing to do what it takes to get this movie made. I have been working on this piece for 6 years, and have gone through 25 drafts. It’s now to the point where the only notes and adjustments I’m willing to take on the script are from my director, my producer, or the studio that is making my picture.
You’d be surprised at how even now, people are still festering their opinions on me. The script is about to go to market and everyone has an idea of where they think my picture should go, or who they think should star in it, and who we should attach, and maybe if I altered the script here or there it would be better.
Here is a list of everything I have heard said to me in the past month when it comes to my script:
- “Studios aren’t really making teen movies these days, unless they are fantasy trilogies adapted from books”.
- “Can your film be made into a TV series?”
- “Maybe we should pitch your film to TV networks first, more people watch TV nowadays”. It could be a TV movie.
- “Make your script PG-13, buyers won’t buy Rated R, cause it limits an audience”.
- “You need to make sure your cast is filled with stars that have a big overseas audience”.
- “Can your film become a trilogy or franchise?”
- “Maybe the film should be more relatable to adults”
- “Maybe the film should have more stuff in it that boys can relate to”
- “ Can we make your film low budget, maybe reduce the film to 5 locations?”
- “You won’t be able to act in your own film, considering you are a first time writer”
- “Once you sell your script, the are going to hire another writer and rewrite the whole thing”.
- “Maybe we turn your movie into a web series and then if you get a popular audience from there we can make a movie”.
- “The script needs to be more sensitive to the economy because we are in a recession”
- “Go to smaller production companies, and fund the movie yourself, because studios aren’t looking for this at the moment”.
- “ The script is a better read, than a movie” (What the hell does that mean?)
The list goes on…
Opinions. Opinions. Opinions. All of the above mentioned are valid and a lot of it I’m sure is true. People are saying this stuff to look out for me and I think prepare me for what’s ahead.
However, my whole way of thinking is: “Can’t we try for the Top? Can’t we try for the ultimate vision first before any of the above have to be applied? Since when were we not allowed to dream big” I’ve always been inspired by the people who were passionate about something, and got a million “no’s” to get that one magic “yes!” I’ve always believed in being the exception.
I think a lot of people in this Industry are jaded and filled with fear. Rightfully so, it’s a frickin’ tough industry and people go based on their personal experiences, and they project them, onto you, thinking your film and your experience will be the same as theirs.
However, this industry still holds a lot of magic. And small miracles happen every day. Films get made that nobody believed in, and they go on to win Oscars. Films get distribution and end becoming widely successful and go on to have sequels etc. So why can’t that film be mine?
I’ve heard the opinions. I acknowledge them. I chew on them. I understand and Value them… but you know what??????
I’m sticking to my Vision and my gut feeling of where this picture should go. It’s a Feature Film. It’s meant to be in theatres. It’s not a TV show, a TV movie, or a web series. It has the potential to be widely successful, it just need a champion. I will always regret it if I give into everyone else’s thoughts and don’t at least try to aim for my exact vision of this film. If I try for the top and try every option of what I envisioned and we still haven’t gotten a big YES, then maybe I’ll revisit… but why should I give up on my vision based on what everyone’s opinion of it is, before we’ve even gone to battle?
I’m learning that scripts are like children. Everyone is going to have an opinion of how you should raise it, and what you should do, but at the end of the day it comes down to maternal instinct. My maternal instinct says “F-you” to all the fear and the rules out there, that are not based in any truth except other people’s opinions and experiences.
I’m going to raise my creative baby the way the way I envision, and I encourage any of your writers out there to do the same.