This is in regards to an hour-long pilot and I realize it should be in the TV forum. But I put it here because I think the issue of dealing with notes from either your reps or producers is a delicate situation and this could help a wider group of members.
I wrote a pilot that got a tremendous response from my manager and my agent. This is a comedy-drama version of a Nip/Tuck type show. It's basically a final draft except for one seemingly small issue. I open with a scene of a supporting character that ends with a nice segue into the introduction of the main character. They suggest I move this back a little and start right on the main character. They seem to believe that you shouldn't start something on anybody but the main character.
I disagree with this note. I wrote this thing with no chains on me and came up with something quirky and unique. I think it's a rather inspired introduction to the main character and that their suggestion is run-of-the-mill, ordinary, obvious stuff. My manager is a little more serious about this than my agent. My agent has a nice belief that if you love it, it should stay. But it's really a no-win situation for me. If I fight to keep what I want, I upset them. If I keep them happy, I have to change something I really like. I've cooperated with all of their other notes, even a few I didn't love. I trust in their guidance. But I have to wonder where I draw the line and stand up for my creative instincts. I realize I've never had a sale, but I can't believe that their instincts are always more correct than my own.
So my question for everybody is a two-parter: 1) What would you do about moving that scene? Is it indeed acceptable to start on a supporting character? 2) How would you handle this situation with your reps?
Ele...
I wrote a pilot that got a tremendous response from my manager and my agent. This is a comedy-drama version of a Nip/Tuck type show. It's basically a final draft except for one seemingly small issue. I open with a scene of a supporting character that ends with a nice segue into the introduction of the main character. They suggest I move this back a little and start right on the main character. They seem to believe that you shouldn't start something on anybody but the main character.
I disagree with this note. I wrote this thing with no chains on me and came up with something quirky and unique. I think it's a rather inspired introduction to the main character and that their suggestion is run-of-the-mill, ordinary, obvious stuff. My manager is a little more serious about this than my agent. My agent has a nice belief that if you love it, it should stay. But it's really a no-win situation for me. If I fight to keep what I want, I upset them. If I keep them happy, I have to change something I really like. I've cooperated with all of their other notes, even a few I didn't love. I trust in their guidance. But I have to wonder where I draw the line and stand up for my creative instincts. I realize I've never had a sale, but I can't believe that their instincts are always more correct than my own.
So my question for everybody is a two-parter: 1) What would you do about moving that scene? Is it indeed acceptable to start on a supporting character? 2) How would you handle this situation with your reps?
Ele...
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