I’m not sure, if you can really call it a fail, but in 2017 I used Stage 32’s script services for the first and so far only time. I was super excited to get professional feedback because I felt that my pilot was ready for it (which it also was). I also found an executive at CBS, which is what I believe the only home for my series as it’s in the same vernacular as Hawaii Five-0, NCIS, CSI, etc. The disappointment/fail came when I got the coverage back because based on the comments and questions, it seemed like she only read every fifth page of my pilot and didn’t read the scene descriptions at all and had no idea whatsoever how cop shows worked.
I’ve seen other people telling similar stories, ranging anywhere from getting details wrong to mentioning characters that weren’t even in the script, so I was lucky, I wasn’t the only one this happened to.
My fear is definitely that my pilot isn’t good enough to ever make it. Which is specially terrifying because I’ve been working on the series/pilot for about six years and the thought of all the research and time I invested in it, was for nothing, is so frightening that I think I wouldn’t be able to come back from it. I can feel how this fear is holding me back and blocking my creativity because sometimes even during writing, I wonder if there’s even a point in working on the show.
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Don't let one disappointing script coverage from 2017 terrify you. If you truly believe in your project keep moving forward and pitch it. Sounds like you only got coverage once. That's not enough as you move to improve your script. In the end you control your own destiny. I've got my own TV pilot that I'm working on. It's not easy, but don't quit. Sometimes having folks you trust to give you honest feedback helps too.
Hey, Lisa Bogner! I'm sorry to hear your feedback felt like a setback. We strive to be encouraging and constructive for sure. I would second Martin Reese 's advice - don't put too much weight behind any one set of notes. In fact, I would highly recommend taking your current draft, and handing it to 3-5 of your closest peers. Getting several sets of notes helps to offset any note where you're not sure if it's just this one person or if several perspectives that are picking up on the same thing, PLUS you get to chose the people that you know will give you notes that will keep your momentum going!
Just out of curiosity, are you working on any other projects? Sometimes the way to "keep going" is to give another project some attention, step away from those notes, and then come back with a fresh perspective and renewed sense of purpose. You know my vote - KEEP GOING! long-distance high-five
I feel 'ya, Lisa! One time I submitted a written pitch for a heavy drama and the note said "fun story", hmmm... I do a fair amount of my own research first, and it's also helpful to read comments from other S32 members about the feedback they've received from executives here.
As Kay said, script exchanges with other writers are a great way to get notes without any monetary expense. (I'd be happy to exchange!) And I also agree that once you have a few completed projects, it's easier to not be so attached to just the one. After I wrote my first feature, I was convinced it was going to be the BEST! MOVIE! EVER! Now that I have a body of work, I'm a lot more objective, lol. Of course I want a career as a writer, but I also write for the joy of writing, and that is not dependent on anyone's notes :)
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Thank you Martin Reese Karen "Kay" Ross and Steffany Lohn Sommers !! I actually already asked a few of my peers — four of them were classmates from my acting program (I’m actually an actress trying to write my own breakthrough) — and miniature-pitched the series to a few other people I talked to every now and then and they all reacted extremely positively and told me they loved the idea and “best case scenario” cast, which is why that coverage was really confusing to me.
As for Kay’s question: I’m not really working on other projects right now, only individual episodes/scenes of my series. I do have a lot of ideas for features and started one feature what feels like a hundred years ago, but I’m kinda stuck there. long distance high fives back!
I’d be happy to exchange, Steffany! Let’s keep talking via message.
My question is what are some of these sites doing to prevent that type of feedback? As mentioned above this is a semi-regular occurrence and paying for feedback isn't cheap. How much should people "ignore" the $129-$200 price tags with a no refund policy?
Hey Lisa Bogner! I know that you and I have been emailing a bit through j.mirch@stage32.com - but thank you so much for relaying this story now. One of the things I have worked hard to do in the last 2 years that I have been at Stage 32 is bring on executives who are not only at the top companies in the industry - but also those who offer actionable, constructive, detailed notes that are positively framed.
And I am not shy to say that I have cut several executives loose when they do not live up to those standards. Drop me a note when you get a chance and reference this post. I'll hook you up.
Lisa Bogner The free webinar
https://www.stage32.com/webinars/Stage-32-%20-Netflix-Present-Television...
Will show you how to, with specific nuts-and-bolts all the way through, craft a pitch bible (yes, it's Netflix-oriented, but works well for every story, any platform).
And you'll see that writing a pilot, while a nice writing exercise, is NOT the way to go for original content.
Hi Lisa Bogner ! First off, pat yourself on the back for finishing a series and pitching. The executive sounds extremely discourteous- unfortunately they exist and I have met some rather sluggish individuals who seem to dislike their work and take it out on unsuspecting writers. Remember why you are writing? Is it for outside approval? Do you love writing? Setbacks and rejections are part of a writers’ journey. As far as coverage, there are services that guarantee personalized and thorough script-reads. It looks like Jason Mirch has an alternative for you as well. Don’t let the indifference of one person discourage you.
Screenwriting is not a science. It is an authored form of creation that is subjected to the whims and scrutiny of all types of people in a fickle industry.. Science experimentation is based on a hypothesis that the scientist wishes to find an answer. The outcome is either null (no measurable analysis) or some answer. The only thing you can take from science to apply here is that in science there is no failure. It simply means adjustments need to be made in the methodology to prove an hypothesis. Comparing script alterations to scientific method is a weak analogy. Methods in science cannot be influenced or determined by subjective criteria such as skews in taste, moods, what's hot and what's not, industry trends in genre, or the individual capacity of literacy in the reader. Science is just objective cut and dry data.
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OMG Lisa, I feel you. I had nothing but very very nice comments regarding my screenplay of which I spent six years writing along with other screen plays. But this particular one I put my heart and soul into it because it’s based on a true story and in a field that I absolutely love.
I want to call him a kid, the so-called studio exec who happens to read my work but he didn’t read it. Nothing made sense. . He doesn’t even understand that you’re antagonist doesn’t have to be a real person. It can be Society. His comments to me were stupid! I threw it in the trash. And what I told stage 32 is it’s OK if you don’t like it but give me something to work with don’t just say “it fell flat.“ What a jerk! This is the very screenplay that made quarterfinals in cover fly’s contest and gets rave reviews at my readings. To make matters even funnier, a few days later I got another pitch back from stage 32 people and she said I had enough information to do a series. Talk about confusion.