James Cotter
Sunday 21st June 2009 7:10pm [Edited]
Exeter, Devon
1,594 posts
Quote: Badge @ June 21 2009, 2:02 PM BST
I've read the thread but not watched the episode, and I won't be doing so. This is why. If I have an opinion on something I'm often happy to give it - this is you asking for help, right? - but not if it then becomes an exercise in being persuaded I might have been wrong. A bit of critique is only one person's opinion, true. Lots of people saying the same thing might have a bit more weight. But even then they might be wrong and if you have confidence in it just go and do it.
Like a lot of people, I'm impressed with the confidence you show and wish you a lot of luck. But I am not interested in debating my critique or anybody else's for that matter. Just take on board the bits that are useful to you and ignore the bits that aren't.
And good luck!
Thanks for the feedback. I'm glad a lot of people are impressed by our confidence and we be utilizing this confidence into producing even better work then we have been doing.
There is some feedback which we will take on board and some we won't. But like I stated earlier I look all the feedback whether it's good or bad.
Quote: sootyj @ June 21 2009, 12:17 PM BST
I saw the other 6 minutes and other than losing the voice over it's basically the same as the first.
It's 2 characters not interracting except one of them pulls pranks on the other one for no apparent reason. That's about as far as you can get from sitcom.
Even within a one page sketch one should be aiming for a basic 3 act structure. And the I'm a mad soldier in an inappropriate setting isn't that funny.
He pulls a prank because he's a immature bored teacher who wants to impress the cameras with something he considers funny with out thinking of the ramifications.
I admit the two characters don't interact a lot but I think there both strong individual characters with there own issues to stand up on there own, saying that they will interact with each other more when the series happens. This demo pilot is a quick teaser to show you what the show can do. The series is a lot more complex and funnier because there's a storyline through out with both characters coming to blows many times.
I don't think the whole joke is a mad teacher in an inappropriate setting, that's part of the joke but hasn't anyone asked why he's mad? (All will be explained in the series, even though there are references to it in the pilot, personally I really like the nods to things that are never explained fully in shows like in 'I'm Alan Partridge' 'Fawtly Towers' and 'That Peter Kay Thing' to name a few.)
Quote: Matthew Stott @ June 21 2009, 12:33 PM BST
It may be something I've noticed every now and again on here, which is when crit is offered but not accepted, all hell can break loose!
I haven't not accepted criticism. I think I've taken what's worthy on board.
The reason I'm a bit dismissive is because some of the issues like: Voice Over, us being too young and the two character not interacting enough are issues we already knew about.
Quote: sootyj @ June 21 2009, 12:39 PM BST
Nope what ever you're writing write your best.
I'm trying to be helpful you're fundamental undelying structure in my view doesn't work. I may not be about to write FT2 but I can at least look at how they did things.
I mean there's no real gags in there, neither in the writing nor the structure.
Oh I'm sure James is a lovely person, it's that scriptthat's kinda narking me.
Plus you know put your stuff up for critique and as long as no one's being personally insulting then kinda live with it.
I think there are a few gags but we're not really gag writers that's why we don't really write sketches because we like narrative and we like to explore a character identity and finding humour from there.
I'm really enjoying all of this feedback. Not to sound really cocky but I'm fed up of hearing it's good I wanted people to pick fault with it because that is what I am like to. All the way through the editing process I was moaning about the littlest things ever like text font and the sound fading a few seconds earlier and fades which took up a lot of our editing time and got on my co-writers nerves but if you don't say it your regret that's how I think.
So thanks I am a lovely person and so are you I hope.
Quote: Dolly Dagger @ June 21 2009, 12:41 PM BST
James and Dan - I hope you don't become too depondent - we can be harsh critics. But it wouldn't be any use to you everyone saying they thought it was fantastic if they didn't. I don't think anyone's saying you don't have talent, but that maybe you're not using your full potential yet?
Keep it up and good luck!
I total agree with what your saying. We are in very good sprits in fact and I personally relish negative criticism don't why but I do.
A lot of people have said this about us having talent and not quit being there yet this something I half agree on.
I agree about the talent bit of course but what I think has taken us by surprise is the amount of people who have said we're better comedy actors then we are writers which we've always thought was the other way round but even before this forum I have had that comment made, even by a few producers who have encouraged me to become a comedy actor first and writer second, something I am also pursuing with incredibly high hopes as a great new project as opened up for me.
Quote: Timbo @ June 21 2009, 12:42 PM BST
Being too defensive in Critique will induce that response, but on the plus side it does result in far more honest, and therefore ultimately helpful, feedback than if you just lie back and take it.
Agreed and that's why I do it. I want more opinion's!
Quote: sootyj @ June 21 2009, 12:51 PM BST
Totally, I actually think critique is most useful when people disagree and argue. It forces issues out and stuff.
I totally agree. You get to centre of the argument that way.