How can feedback be so different?

I am feeling a bit bruised and battered today.

My writing partner and I sent out our pilot script to a number of prodco's in early Feb and I've just had one of them give some feedback.

Ouch! It was awful. It didn't have a good thing to say about our work. I currently feel deflated and pretty useless.

I know you have to take the rough with the smooth but the first time the rough hits it bloody hurts.

When the script was ready it went first to Marc Blake. He pointed out things he really liked and things he didn't like. He said we were very strong in certain areas and not as good in others. Fair enough. So we worked hard on the poorer parts before doing a final draft ready for sending out.

So why is it that where people like Marc Blake tell you things are really good, another set of feeback tells you the complete opposite?

I know I just need to pick myself up and continue writing but getting a knock does tend to jolt the confidence.

Def.

Quote: Deferenz @ May 28 2008, 2:03 PM BST

I am feeling a bit bruised and battered today.

My writing partner and I sent out our pilot script to a number of prodco's in early Feb and I've just had one of them give some feedback.

Ouch! It was awful. It didn't have a good thing to say about our work. I currently feel deflated and pretty useless.

I know you have to take the rough with the smooth but the first time the rough hits it bloody hurts.

When the script was ready it went first to Marc Blake. He pointed out things he really liked and things he didn't like. He said we were very strong in certain areas and not as good in others. Fair enough. So we worked hard on the poorer parts before doing a final draft ready for sending out.

So why is it that where people like Marc Blake tell you things are really good, another set of feeback tells you the complete opposite?

I know I just need to pick myself up and continue writing but getting a knock does tend to jolt the confidence.

Def.

View original

My pilot that's at the BBC at the moment had this said it about it once:

"it just didn't make me laugh".

But now it's been pitched to the Beeb and I'm about to get a sketch credit so I really wouldn't worry about it.

Well every one's entitled to thier own opinion. Every one from The Beatles to Stephen King have been rejected, multiple times. Even God has a note from his publisher, about the incohenrent plot of the Bible.

Also for a prod company to produce is a major investment, so they're going to be cagey.

Finally most people don't get critical feedback, they get no feedback.

Having some one take the time to tell you, you suck, is actually a compliment sort of.

I've had a script editor tell me a character I had written was not true to the original. Then had the guy who created the character originally tell me I had absolutely nailed him.

Opinions vary and comedy is subjective. Absolute facts.

My pilot, which is soon to be taken to the commissioning editor at the BBC, was rejected forcibly by the BBC writersroom (after nine months lingering around there), Objective, Brown-Eyed Boy and probably a few more. However, it got me a meeting with Ash Atalla, and now it's getting somewhere. You can only write what you think is funny.

IS there a difference because you paid for the first opinion?

Quote: Ironhide @ May 28 2008, 2:10 PM BST

Opinions vary and comedy is subjective. Absolute facts.

View original

I think that about says it.

Don't give up! Just keep sending it out to people if you're completely happy with it.

If he went to the trouble of commenting and had nothing to say that was constructive or encouraging, then the chances are that he is an arsehole.

'But now it's been pitched to the Beeb and I'm about to get a sketch credit so I really wouldn't worry about it.'

I would say there is a world of difference between getting a sitcom on and a sketch credit.

hope none's taken

Quote: Marc P @ May 28 2008, 2:16 PM BST

'But now it's been pitched to the Beeb and I'm about to get a sketch credit so I really wouldn't worry about it.'

I would say there is a world of difference between getting a sitcom on and a sketch credit.

hope none's taken

View original

The point was I was told my script didn't make him laugh, yet it's now getting pitched to the BBC and it's got me sketch work. Therefore one person's opinion doesn't really matter.

I could have binned the pilot after the first comment, but that would have been ridiculous as it's opening a lot of doors for me.

Quote: Deferenz @ May 28 2008, 2:03 PM BST

I am feeling a bit bruised and battered today.

My writing partner and I sent out our pilot script to a number of prodco's in early Feb and I've just had one of them give some feedback.

Ouch! It was awful. It didn't have a good thing to say about our work. I currently feel deflated and pretty useless.

I know you have to take the rough with the smooth but the first time the rough hits it bloody hurts.

When the script was ready it went first to Marc Blake. He pointed out things he really liked and things he didn't like. He said we were very strong in certain areas and not as good in others. Fair enough. So we worked hard on the poorer parts before doing a final draft ready for sending out.

So why is it that where people like Marc Blake tell you things are really good, another set of feeback tells you the complete opposite?

I know I just need to pick myself up and continue writing but getting a knock does tend to jolt the confidence.

Def.

View original

Just keep going.

But the point is it does matter to him. He's put a lot of time, energy and seemingly money into getting a script right. A big emotional investestment - so he is right to be feeling a little bruised and battered.

And again I hope none's taken, but he may not actually give a fig about writing sketches or getting a sketch credit - they're not exactly hard to get hold of.

Hi Def

I got this from a producer about a couple of scripts I sent:

"I have to be honest with you and tell you that neither made me laugh, not even once."

(Though I stand by my assertion that 'not even once' was a bit harsh!)

Incidentally, it was about that sitcom script of mine that you read and seemed to quite enjoy!

Other people have quite liked it: not enough to get it made but, to be fair, the producer who said the above gave me a lot of feedback why he didn't think it worked and what to do to get better, so fair play to him.

As said, just keep going. You're never going to make everyone happy all the time.

Also, their husband/wife might have left them that morning and run over the dog whilst reversing out of the driveway. You're never going to get anywhere if that sort of thing happens!

Dan

If it makes you and your partner laugh, it is funny.

FACT.

It might just be a question of translation, or commerciality, both of which aren’t so very hard to attain.

Swallow your pride and plough on.

Quote: Marc P @ May 28 2008, 2:25 PM BST

But the point is it does matter to him. He's put a lot of time, energy and seemingly money into getting a script right. A big emotional investestment - so he is right to be feeling a little bruised and battered.

And again I hope none's taken, but he may not actually give a fig about writing sketches or getting a sketch credit - they're not exactly hard to get hold of.

View original

The point is (AGAIN) is that it's only one person's opinion, and that he just needs to ignore it and move on. And believe in his work. Yes it's hard, but one person's not very good can be another 'I really like it'. He doesn't need to bin and give up. Yes it's hard to plough on, but every writer suffers rejection.

Meanwhile, please don't deride my achievements and then cover up them up with 'No offence' - it's makes you look a c**t.

If he doesn't want my advice, I'm sure he'll say so.