I've never understood movie snobs.People who seem to find faults with almost every movie ever made, and couldn't suspend their disbelief if their life depended on it.
But, some of the most intelligent and funniest people I've ever met happen to be movie snobs - so I've learned to just agree to disagree with them on the issue.
Aspiring screenwriters who happen to be movie snobs, though?
That's just suicide.
MovieQuill recently brought it up, and I wanted to expand on the subject.
For someone to say they want to write movies for a living, then turn around and publicly criticize working screenwriters and produced movies baffles the living fuck out of me.
Coincidentally, most of these same guys who are aspiring screenwriters/movie snobs have been writing specs for over ten years and all they have to show for it, if they're lucky, is making the quarterfinals in Nicholl.
Don't be that guy.
I'm not saying blindly follow and love every film ever made, but instead of looking for all the bad in movies, try and look for the good. Every movie usually has at least one redeeming quality - even if you have to try real hard to find it.
You're supposed to be doing this because you love movies - or at least that's why you should be doing it.
Leave the bashing to the critics, that's their job. Your job is to love film and absorb all they have to offer.
If you can't turn on your television, or pop in a DVD, and immediately be transported into a different world, where things don't always have to make sense - then maybe you should rethink this whole screenwriting thing.
Oh, and if you haven't seen Transformers yet - go buy your ticket now. It's the best action movie to hit the big screen in years.
This blog entry brought to you by Michael Bay and General Motors.
16 comments:
Oh yeah, BAD FORM. Be on the outside trying to work your way in, and keep telling movie makers how much they suck. You may as well have that really bad strain of TB.
Otherwise, I'm here with a lemon pie making a peace offering!
I wish I were Richard Dawson and had access to that big, red Family Feud X sound.
Ever see The Fantasia Barrino Story? Didn't think so, otherwise you never would have written this post.
Critical opinion doesn't equal suicide. Kiss-ass doesn't equal academy award.
I do agree with you that there's something positive to take from almost everything (except maybe The Fantasia Barrino Story).
But as artists we need to see things with critical eyes. It's how we improve our own creations. It's how we develop taste, independent style.
And if you're lucky enough to be on the other side of the equation, I think you'll understand that some people may love your stuff and others may want to use it for kindling.
I give a big ol' red X back to you, Miss Christina Sunshine.
This was not about flaws we see, but about voicing our disagreements with working screenwriters and produced films.
It's one thing to think Movie X sucks, it's another to shout it out on your blog.
Then turn around and say, "Man, I'd really like to write movies, though."
Capiche?
My glowing rays beam down and say I am now in full understanding and do agree.
But I think we could extend that axiom further across all industries and walks of life, lest we all forget that rule. Which is it now? Ah yes, the one that is Golden, as the sun.
You and Christina both make good points. One thing is that even your "bad movie" will be good at something. Even if that something is what NOT to do.
Analyze critically, determine what they are trying to do, add it to your list.
There are some movies that become favorites I would never watch.
I haven't seen Fantasia Story but I can already imagine.
the only time we should speak up and name names is when voicing our freedom to spout off on political leaders and also companies/businesses with really, really horrendous customer service or product quality
People who so vehemently criticize the screenplays of produced films peg themselves as complete and total amateurs.
Any working writer knows that producing a film is a team sport.
Through development of the project, the screenplay that's ultimately filmed is, in most cases, a completely different animal than what was optioned.
All the team players (producers, actors, the director) usually have a say in what finally makes it to the screen.
So singling out the screenwriter for what you perceive to be a canine of a movie, is just more farting in the wind.
I understand what you're saying but I disagree.
I agree that you shouldn't be an asshole about your criticism. You should never attack a writer personally or say that a script should be used as toilet paper or something.
Just because you aren't yet a successful filmmaker does not mean you shouldn't express your opinion as long as you do it logically and fairly. One of the most useful tools to learning how to write screenplays is to examine what they do wrong in addition to what they do right. If we pretend they're all beautiful and perfect just because we aren't as rich as the people who made them, we'll never learn anything.
Sorry. I'm not an ass kisser. Never have been. If I don't like something I say so. But I always give a good reason.
This has nothing to do with ass-kissing, and everything to do with being respectful.
Anyone trying to break into this business knows what a difficult trek it is - and for us, as people still TRYING to break in - to publicly bash the work of those who have made it, is just downright silly to me.
Again, it's nothing to do with ass-kissing or thinking everything is perfect - but about respect.
YOU are the one trying to break in, the burden of being professional is upon you.
we are judged how we judge others is my final say on this... but I will also add in, when I make it and write a real stinker, feel free to heap it on me, because by then I'll be too much of a snob anyway haha
I try not to be a hater, though I admit I occasionally lapse into hater-dom (if I've been sipping on hater-ade, naturally).
But I do occasionally post analyses on my blog, and will probably continue to do so, and I'll include both good and bad movies, and I'll honestly say what I felt worked or didn't work. It's not really to vent or even entertain -- it's more self-serving than that. By thinking critically about movies, even bad ones, it helps me understand what I should be doing in my own work.
So I say: Yes criticize, but don't be a dick about it. And don't single out something as "the directer goofed up here" or "the screenplay sucked at this part" or even "the execs must've forced this bulls--t in" because you never know who was responsible for what.
Dante's taking a solid approach.
Nice.
How come I get lectured and Dante gets complimented? We said the same thing.
Because you're a woman.
Your mom is a woman.
wait....
Kudos, Emily -- my apologies.
When I opened the blog this morning, my non-caffeinated brain was remiss in even seeing your post.
I zipped right to the end.
Just like a guy, huh?
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