You've just been given a horrible note. Now what?
Advice from a TV writer/showrunner
Professional screenwriters get notes from EVERYONE.
The studio, the network, the director, the producer, the star…. everyone has an opinion on the script and believe me, they’re going to give it.
Sometimes the notes make the script better. Sometimes they make it worse. Either way, it’s common for writers to get defensive and resist taking them. Their instinct is to fight tooth and nail to protect their baby.
In my case, most of the time these notes are not coming from writers. The people giving them have no experience writing, and often have much experience working in Hollywood.
Frustrating, right?
Should you compromise your vision or should you push back? After all, if you take the notes, and the project bombs, your name is on it.
And doesn’t that reflect poorly on you?
Unfortunately, there’s a lot of reasons why you SHOULD take the notes. Here are just a few:
