I'm not new to the site, but I haven't been able to really introduce myself to anyone yet. Some of you might remember me because of a certain script I wrote and posted awhile back. Long story short, everyone hated it. Anyway, I have been off this site for a long time and hoped to come back so that people aren't fighting with me like before.

I, just like many people here, want to become a great writer. Whoever doesn't believe this is someone I don't want to speak to. Writing is a form of art. It is a way to express yourself. I find it a little disturbing that so many people on this site think that all art is "beautiful" and not ugly. Some forms of art are ugly, really ugly, but it's still art.

Part of why I have been off this site for so long is because I have been working on 3 scripts at once. I haven't really had time to do anything at all.

Luckily, one of my scripts, which was supposed to be finished in September is almost complete. I have been editing out all the "controversial" stuff for YOU guys. This pisses me off a lot, more than I can explain, but I was willing to do it in order to start over and not be bothered with hate on this site.

I really hope that we can all start over and just be friends with each other. Starting tomorrow I am going to read the new scripts that have been posted on this site. I can't wait!

Quoted from usaking I have been editing out all the "controversial" stuff for YOU guys. This pisses me off a lot, more than I can explain, but I was willing to do it in order to start over and not be bothered with hate on this site.

I remember the script well -- but would stop short of advising you to try to please everyone.

You clearly have your own voice, and to put a muzzle on yourself is the wrong approach.

The real problems arose with your response to the controversy.

When you write things that are objectionable to a great many people -- touching on the darkest of sexual taboos -- or descrating religious icons that some consider to be sacred above all else -- you have to expect a certain amount of backlash.

Do not act surprised when you poke a hornet's nest.  Don't throw up your hands and say, "How can you think that of me??"

That comes with the road you have chosen, so own up to it.

To do otherwise trivializes your work -- which makes the offenses all the more grievous to those you offend.

Embrace that controversy and you will be happier.  Thank those that despise your script -- and move on -- without argument or defense of what most consider to be indefensible.

Trust me -- it is not like you are going to change their minds.

And maybe -- just maybe -- you will find that small audience that appreciates what you have to say.

The last episode was nothing more than a huge cluster-f*ck -- with poor behavior on both sides of the fence, quite frankly.

If Don decides to give your work another go, let's try to keep that from happening again.  I hate playing policeman on that kind of sh*t.

It's not about pleasing everyone, I am just tired of arguing with people. I know no matter how much I defend my script, they will keep on arguing with me. I really don't like arguing. It's not my thing. That's why I am trying to make my scripts "lighter."

I didn't expect so many people to be mad with my last script. There are thousands of films that are much darker than what I write. I thought everyone would love it, but apparently not.

Embracing controversy is not my thing at all. I don't write scripts to be controversial, I write because it's what I like to do. Why would I thank people for despising my script? That's a horrible thing to do. I want my scripts to be loved, not despised.

I really do think Don will give my work another chance. The script I am currently almost finished on is (IMO) really funny. I do hope many people like it and have a great laugh with it.

Welcome back...I think.

Like bert said, it wasn't your script, it was your responses to the comments. Trust me, I've written some very disturbing stuff myself and some people absolutely hated it, but I still appreciated their comments and thanked people for reading.

It is hard for me to thank people for reading when all I get is negative responses, you know? It's like people constantly passing you and saying "Your car is ugly." If people say that to you, you aren't supposed to say "Thanks for looking." That sounds wrong, don't you think?

Quoted from usaking Why would I thank people for despising my script?

Because they read it.

And in the end, that is what it is really all about -- getting your words out there.

You should always thank those who afford you that great courtesy -- regardless of what they have to say about it.

Quoted from usaking It is hard for me to thank people for reading when all I get is negative responses, you know? It's like people constantly passing you and saying "Your car is ugly." If people say that to you, you aren't supposed to say "Thanks for looking." That sounds wrong, don't you think?

If everyone tells me my car is ugly, it honestly won't affect me at all. I like my car no matter what people think of it. I'm not sensitive like that. My car however is not intended to entertain the public.  In regards to a script where you try to entertain people, if everyone's comments is that you fail to entertain, you have to start to at least listen to the comments. Just MHO of course.  :)

bert - Hmm, well, I guess you are right about that. It will take time getting used to saying "Thank you" for negative respsonses.

me - One thing I know I have trouble with is listening to criticism. I do try my hardest to listen and understand, but I am really selfish a lot of times. If I am really angry or sad, I usually ignore any problems that people tell me about. I know this is something I have to work on, and I have been trying hard.

Quoted from usaking It will take time getting used to saying "Thank you" for negative respsonses.

Why would you only want positive responses? No one learns anything from that.

Hey usaking,

Remember that chat we had about the fact that this is a community and the community may expect things from you if you are part of it.  And that you should oblige the community because they read your scripts.  

A thank you is one of those things...you don't have to agree with their crit but a simple thank you for reading and commenting will suffice.  

Another thing that might help is if you are posting something that you expect will be controversial then put a WARNING in your synopsis.  This will prevent most of the people who are going to dislike your script from even reading it.  Those that do then, do so at their own risk.  

Anyway, welcome back.

Quoted from usaking me - One thing I know I have trouble with is listening to criticism. I do try my hardest to listen and understand, but I am really selfish a lot of times. If I am really angry or sad, I usually ignore any problems that people tell me about. I know this is something I have to work on, and I have been trying hard.

A step in the right direction for you to say that, so good on you for that.  :)

me - I wouldn't want only positive responses, but I would like some positive responses. Thank you for telling me  I am going in the right direction. It makes me feel very good and proud.

mcornetto - As said before, I will try to say "Thank you" whenever I can. I know it is something that is respectful and should be done as a way of being polite. I really don't like the idea of putting WARNING on my scripts. I feel like it is a way of saying the script is really horrible or bad. I mean, I might do it, but it isn't something I would do real soon, unless needed.

Quoted from usaking Writing is a form of art.

You may remember that artists are often reviled when they start out if they do things others dislike or do not understand - "impressionism" for example was originally a derogatory term applied by critics to the work of the likes of Monet.

If you truly have a belief in your work, you should not care what people think of it - good or bad. All that should matter to you is the integrity of your vision and the quality of your work. Removing bits to make it "popular" is the ultimate betrayal of art.

I would urge you to post your scripts as you write them, and if people don't like them - well, tough! At least you will know you wrote what you wanted to write.

I do understand what you mean about removing bits to make a script "popular" and how it is a betrayl of art. Yet, the parts that I removed were not a huge thing in my story. Even with the parts, the story would remain exactly the same. IF I had a script were controversial items HAD to be in it, I would keep those elements.

I actually have a script that I am in the middle of writing which I know has controversial elements in it, but I have to keep those elements in the script or else it can't be completed.

I do thank you for giving me advice Niles. I do plan to post more scripts up in the future and maybe one day get them made, which is not very high, but I still have hope.

I dunno, I mean write it as you see fit and then amend what doesn't work. Don't cut the balls to make a steer but do make sure the bull is fit.

Taboo is never bad when done right. There was a writer a few years back who wrote this series called "This is Your Life." The problem with them is that they took taboo to shock value, rather then making it seem natural to the story.

And really? Movies have warnings you know. We call them ratings. It's just like a heads up really. Says nothing against the product, just the product may be controversial.


Look, like Niles said, don't edit and compromise. Post what you have. I'd be more offended with an edited script then ANYTHING you can throw into an unedited one. If it's a good story and good script, the controversial elements will fit. If not, then that's what rewrites are for.

The stuff I edited out is already gone, but again, the story is exactly the same. You probably wouldn't notice the stuff I took out anyway.

I am going to post what I have soon, just working on the ending. It might be done by tomorrow, but I am not sure.

Quoted from usaking It is hard for me to thank people for reading when all I get is negative responses, you know? It's like people constantly passing you and saying "Your car is ugly." If people say that to you, you aren't supposed to say "Thanks for looking." That sounds wrong, don't you think?

You have to remember that people are doing you a favor when they read your scripts.  And if you can't accept criticism, then you shouldn't be here.


Phil

Quoted from dogglebe You have to remember that people are doing you a favor when they read your scripts.  And if you can't accept criticism, then you should be here. Phil

I think you meant, if I can't accept criticism, then I SHOULD'NT be here. But yes, I agree. It is hard for me to take criticism and I have to learn to take it. I know i can learn to take it and move on, it's just hard.

Quoted from usaking I think you meant, if I can't accept criticism, then I SHOULD'NT be here.

No, Phil meant what he said. You SHOULD be here, is not referring to these boards but to the actual location where Phil currently is.

Just so you know Phil is currently in an institution for the criminally insane due to an unfortunate incident with a previous member of this notice board who badly criticized one of Phil's scripts. Something  to do with an ice-pick and a bottle of coke zero if I recall, it was a while ago though and the details escape me.

So when he  says if you can't accept criticism then you should be here, that is exactly what he means.

Oh okay. I was a little confused, but I understand now.

I have come across a couple of people on SS (thankfully only a couple of people in the large community that is SS), who post scripts - which may not be bad, but may need work, and who refuse to accept any criticism - you say so and so to them, and their comeback is, "you don't understand my work" or, and this was actually said to me not long ago, "you can't have seen real screenwriting before".

My scripts have generally received positive feedback, and so far I have not had a real critical pasting from anyone (though that my change with my OWC entry), so maybe if it had I'd feel differently - but when I receive negative comments, sometimes I will agree, and sometimes I won't. When I don't, depending on my mood, I post why I don't - but I still thank the poster for taking the time and trouble to read and comment on my script.

One of my scripts got no reads - so I asked for them on the "read my work" thread, and have now had quite a lot - but they have been mixed. More so probably than any of my other scripts - but I still prefer to have had a thread full of reads of this kind than see that horrible 0 siting next to my thread!