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Hey Dustin, almost didn't see your post here. The OWCs push things down the portal fast.
The film is missing large pieces from the script which makes the film not clear, IMHO. So, it gets frustrating reading reviews where the reviewer says things like, who wrote this crap, the writer needs to get a thesaurus. To be honest, it crushed my writing spirit. The good thing is that I think, it came back to me with this OWC, so I thank Don for that.
The reviews talking about writing are probably from fellow writers, so there may be some hints of jealousy and extra low scores unfairly attributed. Watch out for people that smile a lot Film viewers tend to blame the name on the case, which is Hacker.
I checked into you a little more (one of the benefits of a pro account) and I was actually very impressed with your achievements so far. It's not important if the films made money or not... not at this stage of your career. What is important is that you are building those credits... you're doing stuff. If you look through anyone's IMDB and check out their early careers you will often find that they have similar credits. Maybe even stuff they'd rather forget about now.
Glad to hear you're not losing heart... keep up the good work.
The film is missing large pieces from the script which makes the film not clear, IMHO. So, it gets frustrating reading reviews where the reviewer says things like, who wrote this crap, the writer needs to get a thesaurus. To be honest, it crushed my writing spirit.
I understand.
I read the IMDB reviews, both in the discussion and those culled from critics, and while reading them I always thought of both what I know you would have written vs. what got shot - and why, and what got edited in or out - and why, an what viewers saw vs what you wrote - and why, and how helpless writers are once they agree to let anyone else touch their screenplay from script to screen.
That last line you wrote in above quote broke my heart, as well.
Writer to writer - I'm sorry. Sincerely.
It's good to have Don and the SS Samurai here to help you and each other when we can in whatever capacity we can.
Pia, you of all people should have nothing to hang your head about. You have several of your features produced which is several more than 99.9% of the people who write reviews on the IMDB or this and other sites. I remember reading "Dead Ringer" and writing up liner notes for you and thinking: Man, she really knows how to craft a story. That takes talent and you have it. And as long as producers or directors see that, I wouldn't give two shits about what some hack reviewer has to say.
As you know, I've been lucky enough to work with a director these past three months on a feature film he's directing (financing should get done this week!--knock on wood!) and I've learned more about writing for features in that time than in all the time I've spent writing and posting my shorts here. Most of my shorts get savaged by people here, and I once mentioned that to him. He laughed and said: "If you take your reviewers too seriously, you'll never accomplish anything, because you'll spend the rest of your life curled up in your bed sucking your thumb in the fetal position." He then told me to ignore the reviews, because (and I stole the number above from him) 99.9% of the negative reviews come from people who haven't produced anything of substance. If they do haven't something produced, it's usually the occasional student film thesis production or short that shows up on YouTube, but because of that they're suddenly experts in screenwriting.
I used to live and die on what people thought about my writing, but after he gave me this opportunity with this feature film (for which I'm getting paid and getting an on screen writing credit), I knew that his was the only opinion that mattered. Caring about any of these other opinions will just be an albatross around your neck. You're a helluva writer, Pia, and the people who understand that are the only ones that matter. Not get outta here and go write something!
All the best, Gary
Some of my scripts:
Bounty (TV Pilot) -- Top 1% of discoverable screenplays on Coverfly I'll Be Seeing You (short) - OWC winner The Gambler (short) - OWC winner Skip (short) - filmed Country Road 12 (short) - filmed The Family Man (short) - filmed The Journeyers (feature) - optioned
Who gives a rip whether this film was good or bad. What's most important is that you've got another credit to your name and to keep moving forward. It's better than nothing.
What's the total # of people who have rented or bought this flick so far? 100? 1,000? Do you know?
The reviews talking about writing are probably from fellow writers, so there may be some hints of jealousy and extra low scores unfairly attributed. Watch out for people that smile a lot Film viewers tend to blame the name on the case, which is Hacker.
Yeah, regular people never seem to notice the writer.
Quoted from DustinBowcot
I checked into you a little more (one of the benefits of a pro account) and I was actually very impressed with your achievements so far. It's not important if the films made money or not... not at this stage of your career. What is important is that you are building those credits... you're doing stuff. If you look through anyone's IMDB and check out their early careers you will often find that they have similar credits. Maybe even stuff they'd rather forget about now.
I actually have quite a bit more produced. Everything doesn't make it onto imdb. There's a guy I know who's a great writer and a bunch of people brag that they know him, I checked out one of his films and it was pretty bad. It's hard to make a great film. Everything has to come together and make it work.
I read the IMDB reviews, both in the discussion and those culled from critics, and while reading them I always thought of both what I know you would have written vs. what got shot - and why, and what got edited in or out - and why, an what viewers saw vs what you wrote - and why, and how helpless writers are once they agree to let anyone else touch their screenplay from script to screen.
This is very true. The filmmakers will work with what they have available to them. It's often not at all what the writer had in mind. I learned that myself when trying to film Them That's Dead. That's why I roll my eyes sometimes when reading and the writers are VERY specific about certain things when writing their scripts. I'm thinking to myself, there's no way they're going to make sure that house is a bright chartreuse and surrounded by birch trees covered in yellow autumn leaves.
That last line you wrote in above quote broke my heart, as well.
Thanks Ray. It's very similar to putting a new script up here at SS and all the comments are bad. It definitely doesn't inspire you to do anything. Something to think about when dishing out bad reviews. Myself included.
PS, You read the first draft of this script, Ray. It was my effort in the 6WK thriller/amnesia. You said the characters were unbelievably stupid. Several reviews of the film said the same thing.
Pia, you of all people should have nothing to hang your head about. You have several of your features produced which is several more than 99.9% of the people who write reviews on the IMDB or this and other sites. I remember reading "Dead Ringer" and writing up liner notes for you and thinking: Man, she really knows how to craft a story. That takes talent and you have it. And as long as producers or directors see that, I wouldn't give two shits about what some hack reviewer has to say.
Thank you Gary. Maybe I'm just not as thick skinned as I'd like to think.
As you know, I've been lucky enough to work with a director these past three months on a feature film he's directing (financing should get done this week!--knock on wood!) and I've learned more about writing for features in that time than in all the time I've spent writing and posting my shorts here. Most of my shorts get savaged by people here, and I once mentioned that to him. He laughed and said: "If you take your reviewers too seriously, you'll never accomplish anything, because you'll spend the rest of your life curled up in your bed sucking your thumb in the fetal position." He then told me to ignore the reviews, because (and I stole the number above from him) 99.9% of the negative reviews come from people who haven't produced anything of substance. If they do haven't something produced, it's usually the occasional student film thesis production or short that shows up on YouTube, but because of that they're suddenly experts in screenwriting.
I know. Making a film and reviewing a scripts are two different animals. I do highly value the reviews people give here though. This is where I learned. When I first started writing in -06, I could barely write a complete sentence without glaring errors. But through constructive reviews, I slowly picked up on things and today, I actually feel okay about how I write. I just need to get better at structure and some of those other things. It is true though what you said, filmmakers are NOT looking at story the same way readers are.
I used to live and die on what people thought about my writing, but after he gave me this opportunity with this feature film (for which I'm getting paid and getting an on screen writing credit), I knew that his was the only opinion that mattered. Caring about any of these other opinions will just be an albatross around your neck. You're a helluva writer, Pia, and the people who understand that are the only ones that matter. Not get outta here and go write something!
All the best, Gary
Thank you. I'm planning to start a new feature tomorrow. This time though, I'm going to be careful and make sure it doesn't consume my life as it used to. 5-6hrs/day 7day/week. I've actually spent more time with my family lately and even done some gardening!!!! Now that IS weird!
Quoted from NickSedario
Who gives a rip whether this film was good or bad. What's most important is that you've got another credit to your name and to keep moving forward. It's better than nothing.
As long as the filmmakers to the best they can, I'm good. It's just hard to read reviews where the writers get ripped for stuff that was clearly handled in the script. I want them all to read the script! How many pro scripts have I read where the film, good or bad, is not exactly like the script? There's just a long winding road from script to screen. I read long time ago that Stephen King hates seeing his own films because they are never the way he envisioned them while writing. As long as everyone does their best, it's all good...but if a critic ever cross the road in front of you, step on the f'n gas!!!
Quoted from NickSedario
What's the total # of people who have rented or bought this flick so far? 100? 1,000? Do you know?
I honestly have no idea. I would like to know too. Especially since I have points in any profits.
I'll be renting it tonight, it's only $1.99 on Amazon. I think that's around £1.30 or something... and I get 7 days to view it. I watched the trailer and it looks pretty good.
Commodus: But the Emperor Claudius knew that they were up to something. He knew they were busy little bees. And one night he sat down with one of them and he looked at her and he said, "Tell me what you have been doing, busy little bee..."