FMP Writers’ Room
Because I was having a few issues with my script, I decided to try something that Comedy writer Hannah George had suggested during the BFI Future Films webinar that I attended over February half term. She suggested setting up a “writers’ room” with a few people to go through your script and bounce ideas around. I did this with 2 good friends, Rachel and Dan, who I respect as writers and who I know are happy to be honest with me.
Hannah George had pointed out that you have to choose people who you know will be honest with you, and not just say what they think you want to hear. I knew I could rely on Rachel and Dan.
It was a very helpful and productive session. One thing they both did was question me on why I had written certain things. This made me re-examine what I had written and think about it enough to justify it, or change bits that I couldn’t justify.
When I asked for tutor feedback from Nick shortly afterwards, he approved of my changes and suggested looking through my script again to be really sure that what I had written was how people speak. This was good advice, and I changed several lines, mostly cutting words out, which helped with the pacing and thus the comedic effect.
On reflection, I am finding script writing challenging, it is not what I regard as one of my strengths, but I am enjoying finding ways to improve the process for me. I will definitely use the Writers’ Room idea again.