Oh No(te)s!

In a lot of ways the act of writing and the act of making a film or television show are diametrically opposed. Writing is a solitary pursuit, done behind closed doors, away from prying eyes (or at least locked away in our own neurotic writer brains). Making a film, on the other hand, is collaborative in the extreme. Writers, producers, directors, actors, cinematographers, production designers, costume designers, composers, etc, etc, are all going to bring their own specific styles and sensibilities to the table.

This is one of the things that makes film and television such a unique art form, the fact that it requires hundreds of people working together to realize one vision.

Personally I think that it's also one of our greatest strengths. A hundred people with one, unified goal ought to be able to make a better product, right?

At least that's the way it'd go in a perfect world.

Anyways, all this rambling came about after I read an interesting article over on Variety. Premise? That even TV's greatest writers (David Chase, David Milch and Aaron Sorkin) need to be reined in from time to time. They need someone to give them feedback on their ideas lest they become overly self-indulgent. In other words, they need notes.

Personally I couldn't agree more (though I take exception with some of the examples). The need for notes was painfully obvious in Studio 60. Sorkin's personal neuroses played well on The West Wing, largely because he was able to articulate them within the framework of the show (what's more believable, dealing with crazy right-wing Christians as a political problem in the White House or as a (un)funny sketch on a comedy show?). I can't help but think that if only someone had stood up and said something (anything!) that this show could've been a lot better than it was.

Unfortunately if anyone did say anything it was ignored or disregarded. If it was given due consideration that would be fine, if it was discarded out of hand it's another story altogether. Ultimately you have to assume that everyone is working towards making the project better. Every note should be considered, even if it's not used.

It can take some getting used to as a writer. So let's all repeat it together. Notes are a good thing.

Just don't feel like you have to take them...