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The last column looked at revision from the perspective of writer responding to emerging draft. The writer, you'll recall, is the one person able to respond to the script as both creator and critic. This week, we'll look at the revision process from the perspective of incorporating feedback from key script readers.
In corporate and educational media writing, feedback plays an integral role throughout the writing process. We write content outlines and treatments for the express purpose of soliciting feedback from key script readers: client, subject matter expert, producer and director.
In evaluating such feedback, consider three related factors:
When does it occur in the writing process?
Who is the feedback coming from?
What is the substance of the feedback?
With experience, you come to expect certain types of critical reaction at different stages of a project. Discussions about creative concept, for instance, should be addressed at the treatment stage. You don't want to be talking about changing the entire creative direction after spending time and effort on a fully realized shooting script.
Who voices feedback is equally important. You expect subject matter experts to focus on the fine points of content accuracy. Their input regarding style and tone is probably not as relevant as when it comes from the producer or client.
The substance of the feedback indicates what kind of work the writer will be doing in the revision process. Some feedback relates to the structure of the program-in which case you'll likely be focusing on adding, deleting or rearranging content. Or, feedback may focus more on style and tone. If your creative approach focuses on humor-you may need to rework segments that fail to deliver comedically. If you're dramatizing a sales presentation-you may find yourself getting feedback that helps make dialogue more realistic.
Of course, not all feedback is equally helpful, nor equally valid. As Hemingway is said to have remarked: "writers need a built-in, shock-proof shit detector."
Sometimes you have to stand your ground and defend the writing decisions you've made. Ideally with reason and a calm voice. (Although some occasions call for conviction and passion.)
Remember-feedback is not an attack on your character or abilities. It's one person's reaction to what they read. Writers in any genre need thick skins. But, when you start hearing identical feedback from several sources-it's time to listen up.
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