When you finish your script what do you do first? Submit it? Show your family? Probably, but what you should be doing is submitting it for feedback. You could have a great idea, but feedback will help you make it stronger.
Recently on the show I am working on (until the end of this month when we break), I got notes that not only made the script stronger-they will ultimately tell the story better in many ways, as well as helped me become a better writer. Sure it’s hard to get those notes that change everything, but it’s such an important part of the process, so you must do it.
And kill your favorite scene. My partner and I were attached to a certain idea and this morning I killed it completely and it now works better. Sometimes we have to do this, because the idea was great and the execution was not.
On my screenplay I got notes this summer from a production company who was generous enough to give me such detailed notes and they said it was their opinion and I could take it or leave it. I took it of course and even though some scenes were hard to cut out, the script is now better for it.
Don’t be upset when you get strong feedback, it means you have something great there and you just need to tweak it. It’s a good sign, not a bad one.
“This is perfect” is the kiss of death in this town because it means 100% the opposite.
Steph Olivieri Bourbon ~ Writing Coach 