So, I sent out a draft of THE MEMORIAL to my usual readers. I would describe it as a metaphysical re-invention of the traditional teenage slasher film with some pretty challenging timeline stuff and boy did I get some differing feedback.
The first crop of readers disliked the script to the point of not being able to give me any feedback on the actual script. Rather they suggested complete tonal, plot, and character changes, or complete abandonment. So no actual feedback on the script I sent, nothing really which was a bit depressing as I really liked the draft.
Now this not uncommon when you push the boundaries of a genre and write stuff that is out of the box regarding linear timelines and multi-dimensions and stuff. And heck, sometimes you think you're doing some really cool stuff and are just way off the mark. I mean, that's why you send your stuff to your trusted readers, to get the real unbiased skinny on what you're actually writing as opposed to what you think you're writing. Needless to say the second-guessing was creeping in bigtime. In fact I found myself int his weird position where I really liked what I'd written, knew it had some issues that I wanted to address, but was thinking I might put it on the back burner for a while to work on some stuff more promising… but then something really confusing happened….
My next crop of readers read the same exact draft of The Memorial. Weirdly, the same aspects of the script that bothered the previous readers enough to suggest abandoning it, were the exact things that made these newer readers LOVE the script. These were the parts of the script that made the read for them and felt were what set it apart from their usual horror reads. Confusing to say the least!
I guess it just goes to show, you really never know how your material will hit someone. And you really just need to write what turns you on. If there are issues with things being confusing, derivative, undeveloped, over the top, etc… those are things you should consider especially if multiple readers bring it up. But when it comes to the purely subjective stuff, story stuff, your stuff, you really have to be careful and stick to your original idea, come hell, come high-water. You need to protect it like the baby chic it is. It's your creative vision at it's core, follow it, protect it, be open to feedback, but take it all with a grain of salt. As William Goldman said "Nobody knows anything in this business. If they act like they do. Watch out." Anyway…
HOLLYWOOD REBOOTS:
Lastly, and this is on a completely different note…. I am not happy about the reboot of POINT BREAK! Lame, lame, lame, lame, LAME! Who on earth would think that's a good idea? Fire them!
http://www.thewrap.com/movies/column-post/alcon-entertainment-rebooting-point-break-30911
OTHER NEWS:
I'm getting rotator cuff surgery next week and will be completely laid up for a week, so I am going to catch up on a bunch of reading and movie watching! A week later, me and my arm-sling will be attending an improv class at UPRIGHT CITIZEN'S BRIGADE in the hopes of shaking things up a bit and learning some new directing stuff. It'll be fun to get on stage again!
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