What's wrong with specifics?
Feedback you genuinely don't agree with? Page 2
Quote: Marc P @ September 3 2009, 10:34 AM BSTWhat's wrong with specifics?
You want to tell you exactly what's wrong with specifics? Because I will, I'll give you chapter and verse. 
Specify to clarify that's my motto.
I hope you're happy now, Marc, you've scared Jacob off with your talk of specifics. My motto: softly softly catchee monkey. And I nearly had him!
In my experience, sometimes the critics are jerks for what they say. But just occasionally, it takes a jerk to tell you what no nice person ever would.
I got some feedback from a producer that was basically a bollocking for sending in work that was too experimental, despite him requesting for something a bit different. Although one or two of the comments was correct it is clear he is one of those people who when criticising gets a kick out of tearing a strip of people and so therefore his feedback couldn't be considered a balanced critque.
If you really, genuinely disagree with a reader's crit of your script, then just draw a line under it and show it to someone else. If they say the same thing, it's very likely you're in the wrong. I find a second opinion is often the most valuable one.
A recent script of mine completely bemused one experienced reader, whilst another thought it was great. Comedy is that subjective. However, when you say that the reader didn't "get" what you were trying to do, then might I suggest you didn't translate the vision in your head onto the page sufficiently well. Might be worth going back and reading your script with the mindset of someone who will come to it with no preconceptions. Does the script really show them what your intentions are? All the best.
Quote: Tim Walker @ September 3 2009, 1:05 PM BSTA recent script of mine completely bemused one experienced reader, whilst another thought it was great. Comedy is that subjective. However, when you say that the reader didn't "get" what you were trying to do, then might I suggest you didn't translate the vision in your head onto the page sufficiently well. Might be worth going back and reading your script with the mindset of someone who will come to it with no prior knowledge. Does the script really show a reader what your intentions are? All the best.
What he said.
I do think the craft of the script can be analysed independently of whether it is funny to the reader or not. I don't like liver at all but I can tell on the plate whether it has been cooked or not. One is presented ready to eat and the other is a bloody mess.
[I am speaking in general terms of course not having seen the platter you served up.]
Quote: Marc P @ September 3 2009, 1:10 PM BSTI don't like liver at all but I can tell on the plate whether it has been cooked or not. One is presented ready to eat and the other is a bloody mess.
Thank goodness you resisted saying 'and one is just offal'.
Quote: Nogget @ September 3 2009, 1:58 PM BSTThank goodness you resisted saying 'and one is just offal'.
I thought I was specific. Um......well he just thought that only one of our characters winning by the end of the piece wasn't enough, he thought that the other characters not having some kind of successful conclusion was a let down. However, this wasn't the case and I explained this to him.
Yes, two of our characters have unhappy conclusions butthat's because of what has happened throughout the script. We have been realistic with the piece. Nice people win in the end, bad people lose.
There was some other details but I can't be bothered to go into it.
Quote: Jacob Loves Comedy @ September 3 2009, 7:06 PM BSTThere was some other details but I can't be bothered to go into it.
Well I certainly be arsed either now. Best of luck with it.
Cheers.
hah