tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8496585120938599514.post7467465021148870680..comments2023-05-04T03:37:04.200-07:00Comments on The Rouge Wave: Lessons From American Idol: Part IIJulie Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14690487940378619749noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8496585120938599514.post-82156628798248009852009-04-15T12:52:00.000-07:002009-04-15T12:52:00.000-07:00I agree and disagree. It's an apt simile but the m...I agree and disagree. It's an apt simile but the major difference is that you don't need any skill level to judge "notes that should never have happened."<br /><br />But screenwriting - o my GOD - three people see three different movies. I'm not sure if I'm really any good, I haven't won anything but I also haven't read any winners, so I can't examine for character relationships, level of growing conflict, etc.<br /><br />Judging from the feedback I get from my Writers Group I'm pretty good. I think good enough to make a moderately successful film. <br /><br />I have gotten reads but some were in the midst of the strike, and afterward mainly the known names got the calls.<br /><br />I have a ProdCo with my family comedy in hand, so who knows, maybe my first option is in the offing. I'd so love to have my first actual entry in a screenwriting resume.<br /><br />But I am confident that I will make it. I've managed to succeed at every other career track I've tried.Christian H.https://www.blogger.com/profile/16847810167041864292noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8496585120938599514.post-40687678297254590212009-04-15T11:57:00.000-07:002009-04-15T11:57:00.000-07:00@Shepherd - THAT is the genius approach. It's not ...@Shepherd - THAT is the genius approach. It's not about YOU, it's about the story. It's not personal. <br /><br />@Nicholas - my comments are not binary ala if/then; that's not what I meant to imply. However, being defensive about your writing does indicate you have not yet reached the level of professionalism necessary to cut it in this industry because feedback and sometimes bad, infuriating, frustrating, stupid feedback is part of the deal. Trina is right, it's not about YOU it's about the STORY.Julie Grayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14690487940378619749noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8496585120938599514.post-114624684560626452009-04-15T10:47:00.000-07:002009-04-15T10:47:00.000-07:00I'm not defensive at all anymore. I take the Pixar...I'm not defensive at all anymore. I take the Pixar approach -- if it improves the story, I'll listen to it. I have a system I go through.<br /><br />1. Evaluate the note -- if it makes sense and improves the story, use it. Don't really care who it comes from, as I'm going to get credit for it anyway. If it doesn't make sense, scrap it.<br /><br />2. If the note is scrapped, evaluate who the note is coming from. If it's coming from studio reader 1B I won't revisit the note, but if it's coming from Steven Spielberg, I'd go over the note a few more times. Just to make sure.<br /><br />Though I'd still hold my ground if I thought the note hurt the story.Dave Alehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03474450946075032613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8496585120938599514.post-21324352488830357122009-04-15T10:37:00.000-07:002009-04-15T10:37:00.000-07:00I think Nicholas makes a great point, even as he u...I think Nicholas makes a great point, even as he underscores yours. It's true that writers are individuals very much affected by their personal histories, but that same defensiveness must be overcome and set aside, no matter what the endeavor.<br /><br />I tend to be pretty mellow when getting notes on my writing. I tell myself from the beginning of each project that I will not cling to a single word of the finished piece, and when it goes out for notes, the phrase, "I'm not married to any of this" becomes a sort of mantra. I actually hate it when someone reads my writing and says nothing more than, "I loved it!" Why? What made you love it? What would make you love it more? GAAH!<br /><br />Until you learn to let go, you'll never understand the distinction between, "This is not a commercial idea," and, "You suck."<br /><br />For all the time we spend in quiet rooms, in front of our computers, asses in seats, writing is a risky profession. You have to say "screw it" just enough to bare your soul to your readers, but care deeply enough to want to know why they respond the way they do...and then work harder and take better risks the next time.Yodahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05519302504766718908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8496585120938599514.post-26247780138004317122009-04-15T09:50:00.000-07:002009-04-15T09:50:00.000-07:00Julie, your analysis of the sorting process for wr...Julie, your analysis of the sorting process for writers is totally on point and all of us have our personal weak spots on that list.<br /><br />But a bit about defensiveness in particular...<br />The thing about handling notes with defensiveness is that it turns producers off. They're building a relationship with a writer. They don't want to have to deal with that extra barrier at every script meeting/with every set of notes, even if the writer does eventually go back to the script and turn out something that addresses their concerns. In an industry as competitive as this one, they'd, generally speaking, sooner just get in another writer who makes them more comfortable and is easier to work with.<br /><br />I've found that losing your defensiveness as a writer is a process. The more you write the more you become focused on the success of the "work" as a thing distinct from yourself.Third World Girlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10998943340944452416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8496585120938599514.post-17489536098295133802009-04-14T16:04:00.000-07:002009-04-14T16:04:00.000-07:00Crap. I guess this means that because I am defens...Crap. I guess this means that because I am defensive I am a bad writer.<br /><br />Well, unfortunately I have to disagree with that, simply because all people's backgrounds are the different. Some people become naturally defensive after years of being tortured by their peers in grade school. *raises hand* It's something that I am getting better at not being, but some people are just naturally defensive in all aspects of their life because of the circumstances in which they grew up. Couple that with a lack of having validation at a young age, and it causes a need for it when your older.<br /><br />I think stating that defensive writers, especially the loud ones, are bad...is quite a fallible statement. Correlation is not causation. <br /><br />And here I am defending myself. Crap.<br /><br />Although, I am only defensive to a point in a kind of quick draw kind of way. Then after a little bit I tend to see the other person's side. I'm really complicated. I'm a walking contradiction (and I say that while sitting down).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8496585120938599514.post-75406994922128407542009-04-14T12:15:00.000-07:002009-04-14T12:15:00.000-07:00I like your comparison to "American Idol" and I ag...I like your comparison to "American Idol" and I agree about Lil Rounds. She won't make it any farther if she doesn't learn how to take notes and find her voice. She used to have such confidence and now it's nowhere to be found. She takes the judge's notes too far and just seems to be following what she thinks the they want.<br /><br />It's like taking notes on your script. You have to learn how to listen to people's opinions and advice with an open mind, but somehow still trust your instincts to figure out what to change and in what way.Trina0623https://www.blogger.com/profile/05595720400137644628noreply@blogger.com