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They say that a good actor knows how to listen to other actors in a scene. It's the same with screenwriters. The more people who read your script (I mean industry people, not your friends), the more opinions you'll get. For every one person who "gets" what you've written, there will be five or ten who don't get it or understand it.
These people will tell you what's wrong with your script or why it's so much like something else or why you need to re-think it entirely or why you should get out of the business.
But no matter how stupid or ridiculous they sound, it's valuable to listen to them because they might actually say something that rings true and could make your script better.
When somebody important likes (or loves) your script, it's a whole different dynamic. You don't have to do any convincing. They already like/love it. They might have a problem or two and have notes, but it's only to make the script better or more salable.
It's the people who don't get or like your script that are worth listening to, no matter how painful. Don't defend your work. Just hear them out. Why? If you get angry or too defensive you'll turn them off as a contact.
I know one producer who doesn't like or get most of what I've submitted to him. But he likes me. And he's hired me 3 times for rewrites. And amidst all the things he didn't get or like, he has liked two things, which he ran with. I've learned from this guy and from every other producer or development person I've ever met that they either like or they don't. It's like dating: she either loves you or she doesn't. If she doesn't, there's nothing you can do or say that'll make her change her mind.
So get in the habit of listening, no matter how stupid the producer you're talking to sounds. He might actually say something that will help. |
