12.3 Incorporating Feedback and Notes
4 min read•august 6, 2024
Rewriting is a crucial part of the screenwriting process. Feedback from industry pros, peers, and collaborative sessions can help identify areas for improvement in your script. It's essential to evaluate and prioritize this input carefully.
Implementing changes based on feedback requires balancing others' suggestions with your creative vision. Focus on revisions that enhance your story, characters, and overall script quality. Stay open to significant changes if they truly benefit your screenplay.
Processing Feedback
Evaluating and Prioritizing Feedback
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- provide written feedback on various aspects of the screenplay (story, characters, , )
- offers specific, actionable suggestions for improvement rather than vague or purely negative comments
- involves assessing which notes are most crucial to address based on their potential impact on the overall story and quality of the script
- Consider the source and expertise of the person providing feedback
- Identify recurring themes or issues mentioned by multiple readers
- Addressing requires identifying and resolving inconsistencies, contradictions, or gaps in the story's logic and continuity
- Ensure character motivations and actions are properly justified
- Verify that all setup elements have satisfying payoffs
- suggestions aim to enhance the depth, complexity, and relatability of the characters
- Incorporate feedback on , goals, and conflicts
- Refine dialogue to better reflect each character's unique voice and personality
Implementing Changes Based on Feedback
- Carefully review and consider each piece of feedback, but remember that ultimately the writer must make decisions based on their creative vision and instincts
- Break down larger, more complex notes into smaller, manageable tasks or revisions
- Prioritize changes that have the greatest impact on improving the overall story, pacing, and character development
- Be open to making significant changes if necessary, such as cutting or combining characters, scenes, or altering the story's direction
- Maintain a clear record of the changes made and the rationale behind them for future reference and discussion with collaborators
Sources of Feedback
Industry Professionals
- are trained professionals who provide and analysis of screenplays for production companies, studios, or contests
- They offer insights into the script's strengths, weaknesses, and marketability
- Their feedback can help writers gauge how their work may be perceived by industry gatekeepers
- are responsible for identifying and developing promising screenplays for production companies or studios
- They provide notes and guidance to help writers refine their scripts and make them more appealing to potential buyers or producers
- Their feedback often focuses on the commercial viability and marketability of the project
Peer Review and Writing Groups
- involves seeking feedback from other writers, classmates, or members of a writing group
- Peers can offer fresh perspectives, identify unclear or confusing elements, and provide support and encouragement
- create a sense of accountability and motivation to continually improve and revise one's work
- When participating in peer review, it's essential to establish clear guidelines and expectations for providing constructive, respectful feedback
- Focus on specific aspects of the script, such as character development, dialogue, or
- Avoid personal attacks or subjective opinions not backed by evidence from the text
Collaborative Review
Table Reads and Script Workshops
- A table read is a collaborative process in which actors read through the script aloud, allowing the writer to hear their words performed and assess the flow, pacing, and effectiveness of the dialogue
- can help identify awkward or unnatural-sounding lines, pacing issues, or unclear character motivations
- They provide an opportunity for actors to offer insights into their characters and suggest improvements based on their performance experience
- bring together writers, directors, actors, and other creative collaborators to analyze and refine a screenplay through discussion and improvisation
- Workshops allow for experimentation with different approaches to scenes, characters, or story elements
- They foster a collaborative environment where ideas can be freely exchanged and tested, leading to a more polished and effective final draft
Incorporating Feedback from Collaborative Sessions
- Take detailed notes during table reads and workshops, paying attention to both verbal feedback and non-verbal reactions from participants
- Identify patterns or recurring issues that emerge during the collaborative review process
- Be open to experimenting with different suggestions and approaches, even if they deviate from your initial vision
- Use the insights gained from collaborative sessions to refine dialogue, clarify character intentions, and streamline the overall story
- Remember that while is valuable, the writer must ultimately make decisions that best serve the integrity and effectiveness of the script
Key Terms to Review (20)
Character arcs: Character arcs are the transformation or inner journey of a character throughout a story, showcasing how they evolve due to experiences and challenges. This change often reflects the character's emotional, psychological, or moral development, influencing not only their decisions but also the overall narrative. A strong character arc can elevate a script by adding depth and resonance to the storyline.
Character Development: Character development refers to the process of creating a believable and evolving character in a screenplay, showcasing their growth, motivations, and relationships throughout the story. This development is crucial as it impacts how audiences connect with the characters and enhances the narrative by providing depth and emotional stakes.
Collaborative feedback: Collaborative feedback refers to the process where multiple individuals contribute their perspectives and insights on a creative work, allowing for a richer understanding and improvement of that work. This exchange of ideas encourages open dialogue and constructive criticism, which can enhance character development, plot structure, and overall narrative effectiveness.
Constructive criticism: Constructive criticism is a form of feedback intended to help improve someone's work or performance by providing specific, actionable suggestions in a supportive manner. This approach fosters growth and encourages positive changes rather than simply pointing out flaws. It's essential for creating a productive dialogue about improvements and is often used in collaborative settings.
Coverage: Coverage refers to a detailed analysis of a screenplay that includes a summary, character breakdown, and critique of its strengths and weaknesses. It serves as a vital tool for writers to gain insights into how their scripts are perceived, as well as helping agents and producers evaluate scripts before deciding to represent or produce them. This feedback is essential for improving a script and making it market-ready, while also acting as a filter for decision-makers in the industry.
Development executives: Development executives are professionals in the film and television industry responsible for overseeing the early stages of a project, from script development to securing financing. They play a crucial role in shaping the vision of a project by providing feedback, identifying potential marketability, and facilitating communication between writers and production companies.
Dialogue: Dialogue is the written conversation between characters in a screenplay, designed to convey their thoughts, emotions, and relationships. It serves to reveal character development, advance the plot, and create tension or humor through the interaction of characters.
Feedback prioritization: Feedback prioritization is the process of assessing and determining the importance of various feedback received on a script or project, allowing the writer to focus on the most critical comments first. This approach helps streamline revisions and ensures that essential notes are addressed, leading to a more cohesive and effective final product. By prioritizing feedback, writers can effectively balance differing opinions and maximize the constructive aspects of the notes received.
Industry professionals: Industry professionals are individuals who possess specialized skills, knowledge, and experience within a particular field, especially in the context of film and screenwriting. These experts play crucial roles in the creative process, offering valuable insights, feedback, and guidance that help shape a screenplay into its final form. Their involvement can range from providing constructive criticism to assisting in the development of concepts, ensuring that the work aligns with industry standards and audience expectations.
Pacing: Pacing refers to the speed at which a story unfolds, influencing how the audience experiences the narrative. It involves the rhythm of action, dialogue, and description to create a balance that keeps viewers engaged and emotionally invested in the characters and plot.
Peer Review: Peer review is a process where a work, such as a screenplay or script, is evaluated by other professionals in the same field to provide constructive feedback and suggestions for improvement. This process helps to ensure the quality and effectiveness of the work by incorporating insights from others who have expertise in the craft. It fosters collaboration and allows for diverse perspectives to be considered, which can ultimately enhance the final product.
Plot Holes: Plot holes are gaps or inconsistencies in a narrative that disrupt the flow of the story, making it difficult for the audience to follow along or believe in the story's internal logic. They can arise from overlooked details, contradictions in character behavior, or events that do not align with established story rules. Identifying and addressing plot holes is essential for creating a cohesive and engaging screenplay, which ties into the process of self-editing and incorporating feedback.
Polishing: Polishing refers to the final stage of the writing process where a script is refined and enhanced to improve clarity, style, and overall quality. This involves carefully reviewing the screenplay for dialogue, pacing, character development, and emotional impact, ensuring that every element works harmoniously together to tell the intended story.
Restructuring: Restructuring refers to the process of reorganizing and modifying a screenplay in response to feedback and notes, which can involve changes to the plot, character arcs, or pacing. This concept emphasizes the importance of adaptability in storytelling, allowing writers to refine their work by integrating constructive criticism while maintaining the core vision of the narrative.
Script notes: Script notes are feedback provided by peers, mentors, or industry professionals aimed at improving a screenplay. These notes can cover various aspects such as character development, plot structure, pacing, and dialogue. Incorporating these insights can help writers refine their scripts and better connect with audiences.
Script readers: Script readers are individuals who evaluate screenplays to provide feedback, notes, and recommendations for writers and production companies. They play a vital role in the script development process by assessing the narrative structure, character development, dialogue, and overall marketability of a screenplay. Their insights help writers understand how their work resonates with audiences and industry standards.
Script workshops: Script workshops are collaborative environments where writers present their scripts to peers and receive constructive feedback aimed at improving their work. These workshops encourage open dialogue, allowing participants to share insights, critique story structure, character development, and dialogue, which are all essential elements in crafting a successful screenplay. The feedback obtained is crucial for writers to refine their scripts and elevate their storytelling skills.
Story structure: Story structure refers to the organized framework that shapes a narrative, guiding the progression of events and character development throughout a screenplay. It helps establish the beginning, middle, and end of a story, ensuring that the plot unfolds in a cohesive manner. A well-defined story structure is crucial for maintaining audience engagement and delivering emotional impact, often incorporating elements like setup, conflict, climax, and resolution.
Table reads: Table reads are organized sessions where the screenplay is read aloud by actors, usually in front of a small audience of writers, producers, and other stakeholders. This process helps to bring the script to life and provides an opportunity to hear the dialogue and observe character interactions in real-time, allowing for feedback and notes to be gathered for revisions. It's an essential step in the development process that can uncover pacing issues, character dynamics, and overall narrative flow.
Writing groups: Writing groups are collaborative communities where writers come together to share their work, provide constructive feedback, and support each other's writing goals. These groups foster an environment of accountability and motivation, helping members refine their skills and improve their scripts through collective input and shared experiences.