Dear Mark, a friend of mine, who’s new to writing, has asked me to read their script and insisted I not “hold back” with my criticism. But they don’t mean it do they? How much criticism can a non-professional take? And how much can a professional take?
Dear Adam, Great question, as always. Let me just take a look into my bag of shaggy old analogies and see what I can find… Okay, got one. So. Remember when you were a little kid and your Grandpa told you to punch him as hard as you could, but you didn't because he was your Grandpa and you really didn't want to hurt him? And remember how even though you knew he’d probably be fine, you worried, even then, at that young age, that there was a small chance that when you punched your Grandpa he might just topple over, and then your Grandma would be sad, or even worse, a widow, and all of your family would hate you and you’d have to run away and live under a bridge? Remember that? Well, that’s your friend Adam. He’s your Grandpa. And you’re that little kid. And he’s asking you to punch him. And sure, if you do, he might be fine, but he may not. He may just topple over and lay there on the ground, crying, and then he, and your Grandma, and everyone else in your life will hate you and you’ll have to live with that for the rest of your life.
And here’s the thing Adam, it won’t matter one little bit to any of them that he asked you to punch him. Which is why...
You’ve got to pull that punch Adam. Pull it. Or swing wide. Or just turn and walk away.
A professional on the other hand is a completely different matter. They should be the screenwriting equivalent of Mike Tyson (or a non-offensive but equally universally recognised version thereof) - a veritable Heavyweight Champion of the World.
You can hit them as hard as you like Adam.
Hard.
As.
You.
Like.
And they should be fine.
But if they're not, and they go down, it’s not on you.. it’s because they should probably have never got in the ring in the first place.
The only column I read. Point blank. Ever.
Legendary Advice