Post by songswithoutwords on Mar 30, 2010 12:04:35 GMT -5
Hi everyone,
I'm in a bitchy mood so sorry about this post.
I just gotta get something out ----
Just noticing the tone of some of the interactions in the Completed Drafts section and thought I would propose some principles for providing feedback. Before doing that, I want to tell you what kind of a place I hope this board will continue to be.
We all know what happens when a reader gets an incomplete, incompetent, or uninteresting script. They write a single line of coverage, Pass, and make anything else from that writer a low priority. Readers and producers and industry types are brutal because they have so much shit to filter through.
How can we make sure our stuff isn't shit? How can we learn without paying consultants or joining expensive screenwriting seminars?
We can learn by posting here. And here's what I would like. I would like it if here, screenwriters can get a different kind of feedback than the brutal rejections we get outside. Here, I see a relationship between writer and reader which goes something like this:
and potentially,
I think the following principles, which I adhere to, are a way to make this board a useful place. I am specifically not calling these ground rules, because as soon as you set up rules, people feel restricted, lose interest, and stop posting. So I am sticking with principles and I would ask each to consider these when posting feedback.
The reader should make an effort
Our friends will always tell us our script is great, and industry readers will always throw it in the bin. This requires zero effort from either one of those groups. Let this be a place where readers make every effort to understand the material so they can offer useful suggestions on how to bring the writer's vision to life.
Feedback should be honest
We don't have a problem with this here yet. But it remains an important principle and we should keep to it.
Feedback should be actionable
Simple feedback like "I don't get it", "Didn't like it", "Don't think anyone would buy it", or "It's confusing" is only of limited use to a writer. The reader should indicate specifically what they don't get, didn't like, are confused by. Specificity is the minimum. Some loose suggestions on how to fix it -- even better.
Feedback should bring new insight
This is my nice way of saying, we all know already that our screenplay sucks. Telling us that doesn't teach us anything. Try to help us break out of our bad habits and make a change for the better. Each screenplay is born of some worthwhile idea, or the writer would not have put in the time to produce 90 pages. Find that idea and help us to make something out of it. In other words, tell us what the best part is, too.
Trade feedback, not karma
I think Scott wrote about this in an earlier post, and it bears repeating as a principle. When people give feedback, they give a part of their life to you. 2 hours, 3, or more. If someone gives you feedback, there is only one way to repay them: Read something of theirs, and provide them feedback too.
Don't be defensive
This one is for the writers. When someone gives you feedback, and your initial internal emotional response is that they don't understand you, then an alarm should go off in your head: They don't understand you. A screenplay is a 1-way communication channel. It is your responsibility to make them understand, and not in a retort to their feedback, but rather in your next draft.
Damn, I feel better. Thanx all.
I'm in a bitchy mood so sorry about this post.
I just gotta get something out ----Just noticing the tone of some of the interactions in the Completed Drafts section and thought I would propose some principles for providing feedback. Before doing that, I want to tell you what kind of a place I hope this board will continue to be.
We all know what happens when a reader gets an incomplete, incompetent, or uninteresting script. They write a single line of coverage, Pass, and make anything else from that writer a low priority. Readers and producers and industry types are brutal because they have so much shit to filter through.
How can we make sure our stuff isn't shit? How can we learn without paying consultants or joining expensive screenwriting seminars?
We can learn by posting here. And here's what I would like. I would like it if here, screenwriters can get a different kind of feedback than the brutal rejections we get outside. Here, I see a relationship between writer and reader which goes something like this:
- Writer takes the risk of posting and asking for help
- Reader feeds back as usefully as possible, taking the time to think about his/her response to make it actionable
and potentially,
- Writer creates a better 2nd draft which we all get to enjoy.
- Cycle repeats, with each draft having fewer problems.
- All of us learn.
I think the following principles, which I adhere to, are a way to make this board a useful place. I am specifically not calling these ground rules, because as soon as you set up rules, people feel restricted, lose interest, and stop posting. So I am sticking with principles and I would ask each to consider these when posting feedback.
The reader should make an effort
Our friends will always tell us our script is great, and industry readers will always throw it in the bin. This requires zero effort from either one of those groups. Let this be a place where readers make every effort to understand the material so they can offer useful suggestions on how to bring the writer's vision to life.
Feedback should be honest
We don't have a problem with this here yet. But it remains an important principle and we should keep to it.
Feedback should be actionable
Simple feedback like "I don't get it", "Didn't like it", "Don't think anyone would buy it", or "It's confusing" is only of limited use to a writer. The reader should indicate specifically what they don't get, didn't like, are confused by. Specificity is the minimum. Some loose suggestions on how to fix it -- even better.
Feedback should bring new insight
This is my nice way of saying, we all know already that our screenplay sucks. Telling us that doesn't teach us anything. Try to help us break out of our bad habits and make a change for the better. Each screenplay is born of some worthwhile idea, or the writer would not have put in the time to produce 90 pages. Find that idea and help us to make something out of it. In other words, tell us what the best part is, too.
Trade feedback, not karma
I think Scott wrote about this in an earlier post, and it bears repeating as a principle. When people give feedback, they give a part of their life to you. 2 hours, 3, or more. If someone gives you feedback, there is only one way to repay them: Read something of theirs, and provide them feedback too.
Don't be defensive
This one is for the writers. When someone gives you feedback, and your initial internal emotional response is that they don't understand you, then an alarm should go off in your head: They don't understand you. A screenplay is a 1-way communication channel. It is your responsibility to make them understand, and not in a retort to their feedback, but rather in your next draft.
Damn, I feel better. Thanx all.