"You can't handle the truth about the two-dimensional characters in your launderette sitcom!" - Jack Nicholson (paraphrased)
ScreenPlay Productions Ltd Page 4
"I sent my script to Jimi Hendrix, but all I got was howling feedback."
I found the ex burning my manuscripts. She told me she was sending them to Santa Claus. Did I get a reply? Like eggs.
Quote: Tim Walker @ June 9 2009, 7:20 PM BST"You can't handle the truth about the two-dimensional characters in your launderette sitcom!" - Jack Nicholson (paraphrased)
*Two*-dimensional?! I can only dream...
Dan
Quote: SlagA @ June 9 2009, 7:16 PM BSTGood Lord, Morrace, the only way you learn is through feedback. It's the life-blood of a writer. To find someone in the industry willing to write not only No but why it's a No is rare indeed and should be applauded. The rest of the industry should remember that everyone was once a wannabe.
"All feedback is good but some is more good than others and stuff" - Orwell (paraphrased).
Hey SlagA I am still confused about this company, is it a company or is it a single guy? If he is saying No, fair enough but if he is saying yes but no money for you I am confused? Genuinely. What has he produced/is he producing sitcom wise? I have a project I want to send to Don or him as there seems some support for both on the site and if it is a way through the barricade it might be worth knowing.
Meanwhile Big Brother seems really really naff this year!
Please don't get me wrong; I get positive feedback from Jan all the time. However, I think he's just being polite. My wife refers to him as, 'Jan, Jan, the very nice man'. Also he is a dedicated feedback recycler. Here's the proof; I received this from him two years ago when I told him that there was no need to give me feedback, adding, 'just a reject slip would suffice.' He replied:
"Goodness gracious Morrace, feedback is the way forward - the life-blood of a writer. I'm one of the few people in the industry willing to tell you not only 'No' but why it's a 'No'. I am a rare breed and should be applauded. You should remember that everyone used to be a wannabe."
The above was duly recycled - and lo and behold, two years later:
Quote: SlagA @ June 9 2009, 7:16 PM BSTGood Lord, Morrace, the only way you learn is through feedback. It's the life-blood of a writer. To find someone in the industry willing to write not only No but why it's a No is rare indeed and should be applauded. The rest of the industry should remember that everyone was once a wannabe.
Yes, Jan's feedback has kept me well away from the rope and rickety chair. As for feedback from the other producers/script editors - well here's an example of one of the better ones I've received. For obvious reasons, I won't give his/her name.
Dear Morrace
Thank you for your sketch which I have shredded and enclosed.
Why are you so devoid of a sense of humour? I'm referring to your latest effort, 'Hello Sailor!' You try so hard to convince me that you're actually funny - please believe me when I say you are not! To begin with, your sketch, like all the others you've sent me, is a consummate example of disastrously bad 'comedy' writing with an abundance of the usual bad puns and exposition. Most of your writing is comedy-starved drivel that leaves me not amused - but bemused. While there are probably many people who would be quite content never to read another Morrace sketch; please do not use me as a stress-ball. Your previous submissions were inane enough. Your latest is truly beyond the pale! If, as you state on your CV, you have had material commissioned and shown by various TV production companies, I cannot believe how many actual, physical, breathing, thinking producers/script editors have fallen for your puerile so-called comedy. I'm entirely stunned.
Yours sincerely
A. Xxxx
Quote: Morrace @ June 9 2009, 11:53 PM BSTThank you for your sketch which I have shredded and enclosed.
Why are you so devoid of a sense of humour? I'm referring to your latest effort, 'Hello Sailor!' You try so hard to convince me that you're actually funny - please believe me when I say you are not! To begin with, your sketch, like all the others you've sent me, is a consummate example of disastrously bad 'comedy' writing with an abundance of the usual bad puns and exposition. Most of your writing is comedy-starved drivel that leaves me not amused - but bemused. While there are probably many people who would be quite content never to read another Morrace sketch; please do not use me as a stress-ball. Your previous submissions were inane enough. Your latest is truly beyond the pale! If, as you state on your CV, you have had material commissioned and shown by various TV production companies, I cannot believe how many actual, physical, breathing, thinking producers/script editors have fallen for your puerile so-called comedy. I'm entirely stunned.
Yours sincerely
A. Xxxx
Sorry.
Quote: Marc P @ June 9 2009, 10:51 PM BSTHey SlagA I am still confused about this company, is it a company or is it a single guy? If he is saying No, fair enough but if he is saying yes but no money for you I am confused? Genuinely. What has he produced/is he producing sitcom wise? I have a project I want to send to Don or him as there seems some support for both on the site and if it is a way through the barricade it might be worth knowing.
I was really trying to stay away from posting on this subject, but anyway... What I will say is that Jan is very genuine. I can attest to that having spent plenty of time in his company and working with him in the last year or so. He works very hard and has developed ambitious and genuine industry ties. He knows what he's talking about (even when he isn't praising everything I write).
I (and I am sure others) could say more, but I hope you will appreciate confidentiality issues. There are deals or potential deals which neither Jan or those of us who have worked with him would want to jeopardise. (And not just in terms of this being a public site. PM's would also be a breach of trust.)
Accept that fellow struggling writers are unlikely to want to disclose priveleged information about their own projects, as there are enough reasons already to have your script/show canned. I didn't know anything about anyone in the industry when I first started this writing lark. Like most people I have learnt through trial and error (and continue to do so). Jan is genuine and I think you will just have to take us on good faith about this.
Best of luck with your project.
Quote: Morrace @ June 9 2009, 11:53 PM BSTDear Morrace
Thank you for your sketch which I have shredded and enclosed.
Why are you so devoid of a sense of humour? I'm referring to your latest effort, 'Hello Sailor!' You try so hard to convince me that you're actually funny - please believe me when I say you are not! To begin with, your sketch, like all the others you've sent me, is a consummate example of disastrously bad 'comedy' writing with an abundance of the usual bad puns and exposition. Most of your writing is comedy-starved drivel that leaves me not amused - but bemused. While there are probably many people who would be quite content never to read another Morrace sketch; please do not use me as a stress-ball. Your previous submissions were inane enough. Your latest is truly beyond the pale! If, as you state on your CV, you have had material commissioned and shown by various TV production companies, I cannot believe how many actual, physical, breathing, thinking producers/script editors have fallen for your puerile so-called comedy. I'm entirely stunned.
Yours sincerely
A. Xxxx
Yeah? Standard rejection letter in my experience...
Quote: Morrace @ June 9 2009, 11:53 PM BSTDear Morrace
Thank you for your sketch which I have shredded and enclosed.
Why are you so devoid of a sense of humour? I'm referring to your latest effort, 'Hello Sailor!' You try so hard to convince me that you're actually funny - please believe me when I say you are not! To begin with, your sketch, like all the others you've sent me, is a consummate example of disastrously bad 'comedy' writing with an abundance of the usual bad puns and exposition. Most of your writing is comedy-starved drivel that leaves me not amused - but bemused. While there are probably many people who would be quite content never to read another Morrace sketch; please do not use me as a stress-ball. Your previous submissions were inane enough. Your latest is truly beyond the pale! If, as you state on your CV, you have had material commissioned and shown by various TV production companies, I cannot believe how many actual, physical, breathing, thinking producers/script editors have fallen for your puerile so-called comedy. I'm entirely stunned.
Yours sincerely
A. Xxxx
You're lucky Morrace. My rejection are usually much shorter, the best being: "When you and all your living relatives have been scoured from the face of this planet, then, and only then, will I be able to sleep at night. Love and best wishes for your impending death, which will undoubtedly be the funniest thing you do. x. xxxxxxxxx"
Quote: SlagA @ June 10 2009, 1:24 PM BSTYou're lucky Morrace. My rejection are usually much shorter, the best being: "When you and all your living relatives have been scoured from the face of this planet, then, and only then, will I be able to sleep at night. Love and best wishes for your impending death, which will undoubtedly be the funniest thing you do. x. xxxxxxxxx"
Now that, SlagA, is diabolical! At least my 'A. Xxxx' didn't bring all my living relatives into it. Although a script editor once threatened my wife , but no skin off my nose, as I do that all the time. And to say that your death will be 'the funniest thing you do'? Why, that's critiquing something that hasn't happened yet. There again, if it's posted on YouTube, it might raise a chuckle or two. However, you'd have to get it right on the first take.
Quote: Morrace @ June 10 2009, 2:21 PM BSTThere again, if it's posted on YouTube, it might raise a chuckle or two. However, you'd have to get it right on the first take.
Superb.
So did this Jan fella contact all of you individually, via this site?
Quote: catskillz @ June 11 2009, 1:01 AM BSTSo did this Jan fella contact all of you individually, via this site?
I saw mention on a thread that some people had been contacted and so decided to chance my arm and send him a script.
Quote: steve by any other name @ June 11 2009, 8:03 AM BSTI saw mention on a thread that some people had been contacted and so decided to chance my arm and send him a script.
How is your arm?
Quote: steve by any other name @ June 11 2009, 8:03 AM BSTI saw mention on a thread that some people had been contacted and so decided to chance my arm and send him a script.
Did anything come of it?