On the importance of quality & setting a benchmark for ourselves

[sc111]

I read "Duplicity" by Tony Gilroy [Thanks Naudikom ].

And I almost cried. Not because it was a sad story. Because it was so damn good on so many levels I read to the last line and thought, "How can I send anything out unless it's on par with this."

Not giving anything spoiler-ish away, it's a story about corporate espionage. I'm certain the hook (which I won't mention) would sound high-concept in a logline.

Yet it's really character driven. Which is such a tricky thing to do: a high concept script with fully developed protags.

As far as commercial value, it would definitely pull a male audience. Yet there's a quirky love story going on between the two leads, nicely explored, which would satisfy a female audience. And as a woman I love Gilroy's female lead - not a stereotype to be found.

Plotwise - he weaves in "a-ha's" that keep you on your toes. Skilled storytelling at its finest. Then the writing - oh the writing. Sigh.

Even dialogue is a plot device. It's hard to explain but it's the first time I've seen that used.

And then there's the way it reads -- it reads as if it was effortless to write. Although I know damn well it wasn't -- it still reads that way. As complex as it is. This is amazing skill.

My point is ... if we aspiring writers get the quality of our writing to this level it would make everyone sit up and take notice. The first five pages of Duplicity announces by pure virtue of the skill: this is an exceptional writer.

Now, before someone says, "Yeah but he's an A-list writer and ... right script, right time ... adequately executed," I'd like to say ...

...it would serve us to set the highest benchmark for ourselves. It would make our specs rise like the proverbial cream.

I've added Duplicity to my list of benchmark scripts. Those which I feel epitomize the level of quality I want to reach.

Anyone else see value in setting a quality benchmark?

[Raw_and_Vital]

Re: On the importance of quality & setting a benchmark for ourselves

can you send this sucker to me so I could give it a read. It sounds interesting!

[sc111]

Re: On the importance of quality & setting a benchmark for ourselves

can you send this sucker to me so I could give it a read. It sounds interesting!

ezmail me your addy.

[Charli]

Re: On the importance of quality & setting a benchmark for ourselves

I would like to see the first five pages.

[doubler83]

Re: On the importance of quality & setting a benchmark for ourselves

I read it.

And then I looked at some of my scripts.

I realised I am NOWHERE near good enough to actually sell anything yet. And I'm happy to admit that.

He's definitely one of, if not the best writer working in Hollywood today.

[EJ Pennypacker]

Re: On the importance of quality & setting a benchmark for ourselves

"How can I send anything out unless it's on par with this." can be a dangerous thought process IMO.

My mind boggles when reading some of this years Black List material, and how the material isn't mind blowing - nor as good as I'd hoped it would be, yet it not only still gets on this years list, but also is sold material too. Reading specs from this years list gives me HOPE, not FEAR

EJ

[Moviequill]

Re: On the importance of quality & setting a benchmark for ourselves

He's definitely one of, if not the best writer working in Hollywood today.

I wholeheartedly concur

[-XL-]

Re: On the importance of quality & setting a benchmark for ourselves

I think it's incredibly important to be able to judge the level of your own material and putting your script up against the best scripts in the genre is a valuable measuring stick for that.

However, it can also be self-defeating.

Firstly, it's impossible to ever attain the kind of objectivity for your own scripts that you have coming in fresh to another writer's script. It's tough to turn off your internal editor reading your own material and you're always going to over-appreciate those 'hell to write' scenes.

Secondly, it's very easy to use that benchmark as an excuse not to send stuff out (something I'm guilty of myself). Not reaching the level of Duplicity doesn't mean it isn't good. Hell there are plenty of great scripts that wouldn't hit that benchmark.

Me, I look at it the way I look at Sport. You don't have to be Tiger Woods or Cristiano Ronaldo. But you do have to be good enough to play in the same competition as them.

Personally I find specs - the sort being pushed by big reps and bought by studios - a useful benchmark to grade myself against. Rather than comparing it to a single script, pick up a dozen and throw your script into the mix. It might not come out top of the pile but you'll see pretty quick if it holds its own.

[sc111]

Re: On the importance of quality & setting a benchmark for ourselves

Me, I look at it the way I look at Sport. You don't have to be Tiger Woods or Cristiano Ronaldo. But you do have to be good enough to play in the same competition as them.

Personally I find specs - the sort being pushed by big reps and bought by studios - a useful benchmark to grade myself against. Rather than comparing it to a single script, pick up a dozen and throw your script into the mix. It might not come out top of the pile but you'll see pretty quick if it holds its own.

You make great points and I don't disagree.

However, I do know my scripts hold up and have held up compared to other specs. But now I'm thinking I need to push the quality higher to improve my odds of a sale.

I think of it in terms of "pools" of spec script quality.

Let's say, the largest pool is the "terrible, round-file it, ASAP."

The next is, "Adequate but still a pass."

The next, "Consider, perhaps a strong consider." However it's a consider than never turns into a recommend or sale. Now most of us would feel good to be in this pool. I've been in this pool. And we do need a certain level of professional polish to make it here. However, we could remain in this pool - forever - if we overlook amping up the quality offered.

I'm thinking - what does it take for me to swim to the other side of this pool, climb out and dive straight into the next one: "Strong recommend. So strong, you'd better snap this up before someone else does."

I'm thinking I owe it to myself to at least aim for Tony Gilroy quality. Maybe I'll never reach it but at least aim for it.

EJ Pennybacker: On the Black List... I get the intuitive feeling that this list is as much about industry politicking as it is about quality. Sort of like the Oscars.

[Goon Squad]

Re: On the importance of quality & setting a benchmark for ourselves

Is it the 10/30/07 draft or is there a newer one out there?

[Laura Reyna]

Re: On the importance of quality & setting a benchmark for ourselves

I tried reading Michael Clayton and Duplicity and only got few pages into each. Gilroy's writing style kind of annoyed me for some reason. Maybe it was the mood I was in. I will try again.

I agree with -XL- in that you don't have to be at Tony Gilroy's level ( or S Frank's, or Helgeland's, or Zallian's, or whoever you think is great) in order to get sold and get a career going. And thinking you do might be counterproductive.

I'm already a perfectionist, I don't need the added pressure. Instead of greatness (or percieved greatness), I think I'm better off shooting for commercial concepts & prefessional execution.

That's a personal choice I've made. I can't tell others what benchmark of quality they should shoot for. That's a personal thing.

But don't get me wrong. I'm not saying you should aim low, I'm saying you don't have to aim so high. Scripts of varying quality get bought & produced in HW & all over the world. Of course we should all strive to write our best & improve our skills. That goes without saying.

And I've had the same reaction as EJ reading the Blacklist scripts. I'm not intimidated. I've read some BL scripts and thought to myself, "if this is a professional level script, one that has some industry people creaming their pants, then I can do this. This is within my reach."

[Naudikom]

Re: On the importance of quality & setting a benchmark for ourselves

I agree, sc111. Duplicity is an AMAZING script. One of the greatest things I've ever read. Y'know, I think you can handle this two ways. You can either say

a)I suck. I should stop writing. In fact, I should probably kill myself so I stop taking up air better used by men like Tony Gilroy.

b)Oooooh, that sneaky SOB. I've gotta raise my game up here.

You read great scripts, and it makes you REALLY want to push harder.

[Naudikom]

Re: On the importance of quality & setting a benchmark for ourselves

I wanted to elaborate.

When a young boy's growing up, dreaming of playing professional football, whose posters does he have? Whose jerseys does he buy? Does he buy Tom Brady's and Peyton Manning's jerseys? Or does he buy Matt Cassel's and and Josh Betts' jerseys?

Sure, the kid wants to get in and play pro ball. But the people he idolizes and the levels he strives to attain are those of his heroes. He doesn't just want to get "in" - he wants to be great. Get a ring. End up in the Hall of Fame.

This is a terribly cheesy example, but there it is.

You don't need to be Scott Frank or Tony Gilroy to sell a script. But to sit back and just aim for the lowest common denominator is, in my opinion, pretty damn lazy.

We all want to get into Hollywood any way we can. But, in 10-15 years, where do you want to be? Do you want to be one of the people being talked about on message boards and have your scripts attached to A-level talent? Maybe even a couple nominations and awards under your belt?

Or do you want to be the guy who just "got in"? Nobody knows his name. If he's lucky, they'll hire him to write the 6th Species movie. Maybe even a story credit on a Dolph Lundgren picture.

[doubler83]

Re: On the importance of quality & setting a benchmark for ourselves

Or do you want to be the guy who just "got in"? Nobody knows his name. If he's lucky, they'll hire him to write the 6th Species movie. Maybe even a story credit on a Dolph Lundgren picture.

Hey, if it pays...

[Terrance Mulloy]

Re: On the importance of quality & setting a benchmark for ourselves

Great post Sc111 - but I refuse to read this yet, purely because I know I'll slip into depression. It will only remind me how much of a newb I Am. I did read the opening on the tarmac with the corporate CEO's - but I stopped from going any further.

If anyone wants a read PM me.