You Stink!

So you've made your screenplay just the way you like it.  Your friends and loved ones have all read it and said it's good.  Now you show it to someone you don't know, someone in the business who "really" knows what they're talking about, and you worry they'll say, "You stink!!!"  Worst fear, right?  Don't worry about it.  Seriously, probably no one you don't know is going to say that to you anyway.  If they do, I wouldn't take them seriously.  It's widely known in the entertainment industry, most people will let you down easy... "Pass" or "Not what we're looking for right now."  Or... "we have something like that..."  Why do they do that?  Because they are smart... you might be the next big thing one day!  Why burn a bridge?  Seriously, that's as bad as you'll hear in most cases.  The better you know someone, the harsher they are.  What's frustrating about that, is you rarely get a true "why."  Strangers?  No sweat... you basically get a yes or no.  The truth is, there's one thing we all need to know and should be looking for: constructive criticism.

It's great to go into things thinking you're fully capable and your work is the most brilliant thing ever.  At the same time, know that no matter how great you may think you are, your script can always be improved.  Don't be that defensive, sensitive person who wants to crawl into a ball or lash out when you hear something you don't like.  You're going to make a movie, right?  I have news for you... opinions are everywhere when shooting a movie... the cast, the crew, the producers.  Instead of stressing about it, pay attention.  Most of the time, the people around you are good... and I hoped you picked good talent.  This goes for a script too.  Trust your audience, even people who just go to see movies.  Almost 100% of the people who go see movies are not filmmakers.  Like it or not, they're the experts because they pay for the tickets.  If they don't like something, pay attention to it.  They may just save your screenplay's life.  I got a new one for you: we filmmakers/writers/directors/

producers/etc. aren't quitters... we've established that... but we're also tough as hell.  Take the criticism and learn from it.  It'll make you better, stronger, and wiser.   The more you like your own script, the more you should be open to criticism.  Now, on the contrary, if you deal with a simply mean, nasty, non-constructive critic or reader, I fully encourage you to defend your project and yourself and tell them off!  I also encourage you not to trust or respect that kind of opinion.  Determine who is helping you and listen; determine who is poison and ignore them.  That's what taking rejection and criticism is all about.  If they tell you "It stinks!" and have nothing more to add or to help with,  tell them, "You stink!"  You'll feel good.  Just make sure they aren't bigger than you.  I'm kidding.

And listen, don't take it so hard either.  I, for example, have a science fiction film.  I may give my script to someone who likes romantic comedies and wants nothing to do with what I have.  Research who you give it to, but if there's no indication one way or another, it may simply be the reason why you're rejected.  I remember once pitching my idea to someone and they responded with, "Why would you make a time travel movie?  It's not even real!"  How do you compete with that?  Yeah, time travel isn't possible right now, but it makes a heck of a story.  It's not his fault.  I get it, science fiction isn't your thing.  Doesn't mean my screenplay is terrible.  Think about when you go shopping for clothes... there's all sorts of things... some uglier than others.  You pick your favorite, then you watch some dude buy something you'd never be caught dead in... yeah, he BOUGHT that?!  Yup, and he might buy a screenplay you would never want to see on the big screen.  Doesn't make it bad.  You know what?  He'd probably hate whatever you bought.  Point is, your reader is shopping for clothes, and he may be looking for something in green, not blue.  You're out of luck, but it doesn't mean you stink!

Another common mistake with rejection:  I've known many people who get rejected the first three times they send out a screenplay.  So many people will say to themselves, "Wow, I guess it does stink."  Nooooooooo... your logic is off, buddy, WAY off.  The odds of finding someone who wants to finance your movie is a one in a million shot... maybe longer.  That means you need to be rejected a LOT more times than three to even legitimately get discouraged.  That's right... you're not ALLOWED to be discouraged after three rejections... I'm putting my foot down!  Be tough, believe in your project, don't give up.  Don't take no for an answer... and if you do, don't assume that's everyone's answer.  All it takes is one person, the right person, to like your script.  Things always get easier after that.

So keep your heads up, believe in your project, don't lose your fire, put on some armor, and go to into battle.  You know why?  Because you don't stink!!!

I'm also pleased to announce that we are continuing to get the word out on my first feature film, Trust Us, in a big way!  We have just launched a new Kickstarter page, a crowd funding site where you can learn everything there is to know about the project and pledge to our cause in return for some special perks only available to our supporters on the site.  Check it out at: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/701510775/trust-us-the-film?ref=live

We also now have a Facebook page here at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Trust-Us-The-Film/138144679635712.  Please become a fan and like our page!

You can also follow us on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/#!/FilmTrustUs

Things are getting really exciting and we hope you follow us during our Road to Wrap!