Creative issues - am I over reacting?

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slackerinabox

Lifer
Mar 15, 2003
12,668
103
106
So I'm filming a short film soon.. It's a very small scale production and it should only serve as practice (I know that the writing is not very good but I really want to practice directing). I posted an ad for a crew and explained the nature of the project - small scale, no pay, just for practice.. I got many replies and asked one of the applicants to help me storyboard the script. He agreed to do it until he read my script - this is what he said:
Sam..

by supplanting irony for authenticity, you explore young love lost to the shallow wastebin of recording industry history. I mean you are trying to say about consumerism but your actors end up plugging several brandnames owned by lots of different megacorps.

I know that you didn't ask for criticism but I think it's important to have a good script before we start storyboarding or anything.

maybe i want you to do more with teh script b4 plunging into storyboards.
my weekend is a mess. But I will put something on paper and send it to you?


ok,
sean
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So he basically wants ME, the director, to rewrite the script to HIS specifications before he can do a storyboard... I'm thinking that I'm going to tell him to fvck off because he obviously didn't get the joke in the script.. I'm up for criticism but I believe that he's just an idiot and an ass for refusing to help without ME working on his vision, know what I mean? Am I justified in telling him that he's off the project or am I over-reacting?

Here's the script - I wrote that in 5 minutes so it's not my best work... I just find it funny that he thinks that I'm "plugging" Apple there.. It's a joke!
Note: the link has a few profanities in it - just a warning
 
bradruth

bradruth

Lifer
Aug 9, 2002
13,479
2
81
Tell him to suck it. If he wrote it he'd probably fill it with long words to make himself sound smart, just like he did in his letter. This is YOUR project, and if he doesn't like it he can lump it. :)

Edit: Dialogue is something that I have never been very good at writing, so you should take solace in the fact that you can do it. I wrote a short story a few years ago and thought I might turn it into a screenplay someday, but I dreaded writing the dialogue. I also lost the short story when I forgot to back it up before a format. Oh well, the story is still in my head. ;)
 
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cpals

Diamond Member
Mar 5, 2001
4,494
0
76
This looks rated 'R' to me... ;)

Maybe the guy was just trying to help you out... you don't have to take his advice.
 
MaxDepth

MaxDepth

Diamond Member
Jun 12, 2001
8,757
43
91
teh script is teh sux.
:D

Steps to be an indie director:
1) get a thicker skin
2) you da man, all else are peasants.
3) fire him
4) work only with people who'll kowtow to your hallucination, er, I mean vision!
5) beg for distribution
6) before the critics slam your precioussssss, grow a thicker skin


:D
 
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stormbv

Diamond Member
Dec 23, 2000
3,446
1
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they've got oscars waiting for my scripts, i'm the phd, writin' scripts for lyrical oxy vicodin
 
S

slackerinabox

Lifer
Mar 15, 2003
12,668
103
106
Originally posted by: cpals
This looks rated 'R' to me... ;)

Maybe the guy was just trying to help you out... you don't have to take his advice.
Click to expand...

Advice is cool but he's implying that he won't work on the storyboard until he's happy with the script... A) storyboards only define the shots, the script can always be changed... B) He shouldn't be making demands!

I guess I will tell him to fvck off but I'd like to hear some more input from you guys...
 
J

Jzero

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
18,834
1
0
I'd tell that dude to sod off. I don't work in film, but I do a lot of work in theatre. The director is the DIRECTOR. As the underling, so to speak, my input is welcome, but not binding, and it's certainly not kosher to rewrite the director's vision.

I am right now the tech director of a show, and the stage director and author wanted the play done in a certain way (studio layout) that involves a lot of extra carpentry and a lot of extra audio and lighting tomfoolery, not to mention a whole lot more labor in general.

I gave the suggestion that it would be easier to build the studio in the orchestra pit instead of on stage. The author and director didn't agree, so it was built on the stage.

I dunno. It's always been my policy that the director is the director and right or wrong, anyone who doesn't like it should go work for a different director. You can't put on a good show when it's being directed by a headless committee.
 
S

slackerinabox

Lifer
Mar 15, 2003
12,668
103
106
Thanks for the input and thanks to those who took the time to read the script.. I'm going to tell him to fvck off but I'm still thinking of a clever way to do it... I am glad that his attitude came out now and not during the shoot- I'd have to get my cousin (the marine) to kick his ass if he tried to disrupt the shoot!

Any suggestions for a clever "fvck off" email?
 
MaxDepth

MaxDepth

Diamond Member
Jun 12, 2001
8,757
43
91
Originally posted by: freedomsbeat212
Thanks for the input and thanks to those who took the time to read the script.. I'm going to tell him to fvck off but I'm still thinking of a clever way to do it... I am glad that his attitude came out now and not during the shoot- I'd have to get my cousin (the marine) to kick his ass if he tried to disrupt the shoot!

Any suggestions for a clever "fvck off" email?
Click to expand...
"I appreciate your input and time. However, I have selected other candidates for this project. Thanks again for your interest.


(no need to get snotty, yourself. If you did, you'd look as petulant as he.)
 
bradruth

bradruth

Lifer
Aug 9, 2002
13,479
2
81
Originally posted by: freedomsbeat212
Thanks for the input and thanks to those who took the time to read the script.. I'm going to tell him to fvck off but I'm still thinking of a clever way to do it... I am glad that his attitude came out now and not during the shoot- I'd have to get my cousin (the marine) to kick his ass if he tried to disrupt the shoot!

Any suggestions for a clever "fvck off" email?
Click to expand...

Write a short script of you telling him to fvck off. It'd be HILARIOUS. Make sure to have his "character" using big words inappropriately.
 
M

maziwanka

Lifer
Jul 4, 2000
10,415
1
0
he seemed like he was trying to be nice about it. when you reply, use the same tone. in the end it's your script; he should either agree to do the storyboard or not.
 
S

slackerinabox

Lifer
Mar 15, 2003
12,668
103
106
Originally posted by: maziwanka
he seemed like he was trying to be nice about it. when you reply, use the same tone. in the end it's your script; he should either agree to do the storyboard or not.
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I read his reply as snotty ... But I'll try to be the better man and reply with grace and such... BUT.. I don't know... I think I'll write something subversively insulting... Hmmm.. :)
 
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samgau

Platinum Member
Oct 11, 1999
2,403
0
0
Thats was a funny script.... don't forget to show us the final product.....
 
A

AlienCraft

Lifer
Nov 23, 2002
10,539
0
0
He's a putz. Do yourself a favor and do not hire him.
Finding someone to draw up a story board based on your script shouldn't be TOO hard. If nothing else you could do it with stcik figures. It's about the camera angles and other physical aspects of the scene, not the content.
 
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Yossarian

Lifer
Dec 26, 2000
18,010
1
81
I would automatically tell anyone writing "supplanting irony for authenticity" followed by "teh script b4" to fvck off.
 
S

slackerinabox

Lifer
Mar 15, 2003
12,668
103
106
Originally posted by: PipBoy
I would automatically tell anyone writing "supplanting irony for authenticity" followed by "teh script b4" to fvck off.
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Dude, what's funny is that his sentence doesn't really make sense if you think about it.. I HATE people like this.. They give film students a bad name..
 
brigden

brigden

Diamond Member
Dec 22, 2002
8,702
2
81
Dear Sean:

Your input is appreciated, but I must decline your advice, and, in fact, I must sever our relationship on this project. Yes, I've decided to seek other talent. I'm sorry, dude.

However, you have inspired me to include a scene in which the protagonist is offered condescending advice by a moron and declines. How's that for supplanted irony!

Yours,

freedomsbeat212
 
S

slackerinabox

Lifer
Mar 15, 2003
12,668
103
106
Originally posted by: brigden
Dear Sean:

Your input is appreciated, but I must decline your advice, and, in fact, I must sever our relationship on this project. Yes, I've decided to seek other talent. I'm sorry, dude.

However, you have inspired me to include a scene in which the protagonist is offered condescending advice by a moron and declines. How's that for supplanted irony!

Yours,

freedomsbeat212
Click to expand...

Dude, that is so perfect.. I may just use it ;) I'll let you know if I do and if he replies...
 
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