Script notes and feedback are crucial tools for improving screenplays. Writers receive various types of notes from studio executives, producers, directors, and actors, each offering unique perspectives on the script's strengths and weaknesses.
Interpreting feedback effectively is key to making meaningful improvements. Writers must identify recurring themes, separate subjective opinions from objective critiques, and prioritize notes that align with their creative vision while addressing the script's most pressing issues.
Here is the expanded study guide on script notes and feedback for The Craft of Writing: Film Focus class:
Types of script notes
Script notes provide critical feedback on screenplays to help writers improve their work
Different stakeholders in the filmmaking process offer various types of notes based on their role and perspective
Understanding who is giving notes and their objectives is key to effectively interpreting and addressing the feedback
Studio notes vs producer notes
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Studio notes come from executives at the studio financing and distributing the film and focus on marketability, budget, and alignment with the studio's brand
Aim to ensure the script appeals to a wide audience, stays within budget constraints, and fits the studio's overall slate of films
Producer notes come from the producers actively developing and overseeing the project, offering a more hands-on creative perspective
Focus on enhancing the story, characters, and overall quality of the screenplay while balancing creative vision with practical production considerations
Director notes vs actor notes
Director notes provide feedback from the filmmaker's visual and storytelling perspective, addressing narrative structure, pacing, and how the script translates to the screen
Offer insights on how to elevate the cinematic aspects of the screenplay and align it with the director's creative vision
Actor notes come from performers and focus on character development, , and dialogue
Provide valuable insights into making characters more authentic, relatable, and compelling from a performance standpoint
Writer notes for rewrites
Writers often receive notes from multiple sources and must synthesize the feedback to determine which changes to implement in rewrites
Self-generated notes involve the writer critically assessing their own work and identifying areas for improvement
Peer notes from other writers offer a fresh perspective and can help identify strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for refinement in the script
Interpreting script feedback
Effectively interpreting and prioritizing script notes is crucial for making meaningful improvements to the screenplay
Writers must learn to discern actionable feedback from subjective opinions and identify the most impactful changes to implement
Identifying key themes in notes
Look for patterns and recurring points of feedback across different sets of notes to identify the most pressing issues to address
Key themes may include pacing, character development, dialogue, story structure, or themes that resonate with multiple stakeholders
Prioritize addressing the most common and significant themes in the notes to have the greatest impact on improving the script
Separating subjective vs objective feedback
Subjective feedback reflects personal opinions, tastes, and preferences, while objective feedback points to specific issues with the script's craft and execution
Distinguish between subjective and objective notes to determine which feedback is most constructive and actionable
Objective feedback (unclear character motivations, pacing issues) should take precedence over subjective opinions (personal dislike of a character)
Prioritizing notes by importance
Assess the significance of each note and its potential impact on the overall quality and effectiveness of the script
Prioritize addressing notes that fundamentally improve the story, characters, and structure over minor or cosmetic changes
Focus on notes that align with the core creative vision and intent of the project, rather than feedback that may dilute or compromise the script's unique
Strategies for implementing notes
Developing a systematic approach to addressing script notes helps writers tackle feedback efficiently and effectively
Implement changes in a way that preserves the script's core strengths while addressing its weaknesses
Addressing notes in stages
Break down the revision process into manageable stages, focusing on different aspects of the script in each pass
Start with foundational changes (story structure, ) before moving on to more specific elements (dialogue, scene description)
Allows for a more focused and thorough approach to revisions, ensuring that each aspect of the script receives adequate attention
Techniques for major rewrites
Major rewrites involve significant changes to the script's structure, characters, or plot and require a comprehensive approach
Create a detailed outline or treatment incorporating the major changes before diving into the actual rewriting process
Break the script down into smaller sections and tackle the rewrites piece by piece to make the process more manageable
Refining dialogue based on notes
Dialogue notes may address issues such as authenticity, , or character voice
Read dialogue aloud to assess its natural flow and make necessary adjustments
Ensure each character has a distinct voice and that their dialogue aligns with their personality, background, and motivations
Enhancing character arcs from feedback
Character notes often focus on development, motivation, and growth throughout the story
Identify key moments in the script where character arcs can be strengthened or made more impactful
Ensure that character transformations are earned, believable, and satisfying based on their experiences and decisions in the story
Collaborating with others on notes
Collaboration is essential when addressing script notes, as it allows for diverse perspectives and expertise to enhance the final product
Building strong relationships and maintaining open communication with key stakeholders is crucial for a successful revision process
Effective communication with studio executives
Engage in constructive dialogues with studio executives to understand their perspective and the reasoning behind their notes
Be open to their feedback while also advocating for your creative vision and the integrity of the story
Find common ground and work towards solutions that satisfy both the studio's needs and your artistic goals
Partnering with producers on revisions
Collaborate closely with producers throughout the revision process, as they have a deep understanding of the project's creative and practical aspects
Seek their guidance on prioritizing notes and finding effective solutions to address feedback
Work together to ensure that the revised script aligns with the project's overall vision and production requirements
Engaging actors for character insights
Actors offer valuable insights into character development and can help refine dialogue and motivation
Seek their input on how to make characters more authentic, relatable, and compelling
Incorporate their feedback to create well-rounded characters that resonate with both the actors and the audience
Maintaining creative vision
While addressing script notes, it's essential for writers to stay true to their creative vision and the core elements that make their story unique
Find a balance between incorporating feedback and preserving the script's original intent and voice
Deciding which notes to incorporate
Evaluate each note based on its alignment with your creative vision and its potential to enhance the overall quality of the script
Be selective in which feedback to implement, focusing on notes that strengthen the story, characters, and themes without compromising your artistic integrity
Trust your instincts and be willing to defend your creative choices when necessary
Preserving core story elements
Identify the essential themes, characters, and plot points that define your story and make it compelling
Ensure that any changes made during the revision process do not undermine or dilute these core elements
Find ways to address notes while still maintaining the heart and soul of your script
Negotiating alternative solutions
When faced with notes that with your creative vision, propose alternative solutions that address the underlying issue while staying true to your story
Engage in constructive discussions with stakeholders to find mutually agreeable compromises
Be open to exploring different approaches that satisfy both the feedback and your artistic goals
Script notes in various stages
Script notes and feedback occur at different stages of the filmmaking process, from development to post-production
Understanding the focus and priorities of each stage helps writers effectively address notes and refine their scripts
Notes in development phase
During development, notes focus on the script's overall concept, story structure, and marketability
Feedback aims to ensure the script has a strong foundation and aligns with the project's goals and target audience
Address notes that strengthen the core story, characters, and themes to create a solid blueprint for the film
Feedback during pre-production
Pre-production notes often address practical considerations such as budget, locations, and casting
Incorporate feedback that helps streamline the script for production, making it more feasible to shoot within the given constraints
Refine elements such as set pieces, action sequences, and character descriptions to align with the production's resources and limitations
Addressing notes during production
During production, script notes may arise from on-set challenges, creative discoveries, or performance-related insights
Be responsive to feedback that enhances the script's translation from page to screen
Collaborate with the director and actors to make necessary adjustments that improve the story and characters while staying within the boundaries of what has already been filmed
Post-production script adjustments
In post-production, script notes may focus on refining the story, pacing, and character arcs based on the assembled footage
Address feedback that helps clarify plot points, strengthen emotional beats, or improve the overall narrative flow
Work closely with the editor and director to ensure that any script changes align with the visual storytelling and enhance the final cut of the film
Key Terms to Review (18)
Act Breaks: Act breaks are pivotal points in a screenplay where the narrative transitions from one act to another, creating structure and guiding the pacing of the story. These breaks help to organize the screenplay into distinct sections, typically three acts, each with its own unique narrative arc and character development. Understanding act breaks is essential for crafting a compelling script that keeps audiences engaged and conveys the intended emotional impact.
Character Arcs: Character arcs refer to the transformative journey a character undergoes throughout a story, which often involves personal growth, change, or realization. These arcs are essential for creating compelling narratives as they help to convey the themes of the story and engage the audience emotionally. Understanding character arcs is crucial for effective storytelling, as they connect deeply with audience expectations and the overall character development process.
Climactic moments: Climactic moments are the peak events in a narrative where tension reaches its highest point, leading to a turning point for the characters and the story. These moments often involve conflict resolution and character transformation, propelling the plot towards its conclusion. They are crucial for engaging the audience and providing emotional payoffs that resonate throughout the story.
Conflict: Conflict refers to the struggle or clash between opposing forces, ideas, or characters, which drives the narrative forward and creates tension within a story. This element is essential in storytelling, as it reveals character motivations and backstory, sets up stakes, and helps establish central themes.
Developmental notes: Developmental notes are detailed feedback provided to screenwriters during the script development process, focusing on significant changes and improvements needed for the overall narrative, character development, and structure. These notes are designed to help writers refine their stories and ensure that the script aligns with industry standards and audience expectations.
Line notes: Line notes are detailed comments and suggestions made by writers, producers, or script supervisors directly on the script itself, aimed at improving specific lines or scenes. These notes often focus on dialogue, character development, pacing, and overall narrative structure, ensuring that the script aligns with the intended vision of the project.
Motivation: Motivation refers to the driving force behind a character's actions and decisions throughout a story. It's what compels characters to pursue their goals, influencing their choices and growth along their journey. Understanding motivation is crucial because it shapes character arcs, defines relationships between protagonists and antagonists, influences script feedback, and reveals the depth of character backstories.
Plot structure: Plot structure refers to the organized framework of a narrative, detailing the sequence of events that occur within a story. It usually includes key components such as exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution, which together create a coherent and engaging storyline. Understanding plot structure is essential for analyzing how stories are constructed and for providing effective script notes and feedback to improve narrative flow and character development.
Raise the stakes: To raise the stakes means to increase the level of risk or tension in a story, making the consequences of the characters' actions more significant. This is crucial in storytelling as it heightens emotional investment and engages the audience by creating a sense of urgency and anticipation for what will happen next.
Reader response: Reader response is a literary theory that emphasizes the reader's role in interpreting a text and how individual experiences, emotions, and contexts influence that interpretation. This approach posits that the meaning of a text is not fixed but created through the interaction between the reader and the text, making feedback and responses essential for understanding narrative choices and script elements.
Revision techniques: Revision techniques refer to the methods and strategies used by writers to improve and refine their scripts after receiving feedback. These techniques can help writers identify weaknesses, clarify their intentions, and enhance the overall quality of their work through careful analysis and modification of content, structure, and character development.
Screenplay format: Screenplay format refers to the specific structure and style used when writing screenplays, including elements like font, spacing, margins, and the organization of dialogue, action, and scene headings. This format is crucial for ensuring that a screenplay is easily readable by industry professionals, such as directors, producers, and agents, who expect a standardized presentation. Mastering screenplay format allows writers to effectively communicate their story visually and textually.
Script analysis: Script analysis is the process of breaking down a screenplay to understand its structure, themes, characters, and overall narrative flow. This process is crucial for identifying strengths and weaknesses in the script, which helps writers refine their work through feedback and revision. By analyzing elements like dialogue, character arcs, and plot points, one can enhance the script's effectiveness and impact.
Show, don't tell: Show, don't tell is a fundamental principle in writing that encourages writers to convey emotions, actions, and experiences through vivid imagery and sensory details rather than through straightforward exposition. This technique helps to immerse the audience in the story by allowing them to experience it firsthand, making it more engaging and impactful. Effective application of this principle can enhance dialogue, strengthen feedback processes, improve rewrites, and elevate scene descriptions.
Spec script: A spec script is a screenplay written without being commissioned or contracted, intended to showcase a writer's talent and style. It serves as a calling card for screenwriters to attract attention from producers and agents, demonstrating the writer's unique voice and ability to craft engaging stories. Spec scripts can be used for both feature films and television, making them an essential tool in a writer's journey through the industry.
Subtext: Subtext refers to the underlying meaning or message that exists beneath the surface of dialogue or action. It reveals characters' true emotions, motivations, or intentions without explicitly stating them, adding depth to storytelling and allowing audiences to engage more deeply with the narrative.
Voice: Voice refers to the distinct style or tone that a writer brings to their work, shaping how the audience perceives characters and the story. It's about the unique way characters express themselves through dialogue, which influences how authentic and relatable they appear. In addition to dialogue, voice plays a crucial role in script notes, feedback, and analysis by conveying intentions and emotional depth.
Workshopping: Workshopping is a collaborative process where writers share their work with peers or mentors to receive constructive feedback, insights, and suggestions for improvement. This practice fosters an environment of creativity and growth, allowing writers to refine their scripts through dialogue and critique, which enhances both the writing itself and the overall storytelling process.