I recently backed out of a writing job for an amateur producer because of the script he wanted me to write. Long story short, it was about an affair between two married people who were cheating on their "perfect" spouses.
When I asked the producer why were the couple cheating on their spouses he said the husband was cheating on his good and dedicated wife because she "couldn't put out" and the wife was cheating on her good but introverted husband because he wasn't "Brad Pitt hot" and wasn't daring enough for her.
I asked him what is the message he's trying to send to his audience. He said that he wanted the women in the audience to know that if they don't "take care of their man and step up their s*x game a man will have the right to cheat on her." Needless to say, after many heated emails back and forth, I took myself off of the project. I guess I'm being bias because I've been there before, but I feel like writers have to be aware of the message they send across their audience when telling their stories.
I know that Hollywood has pumped out all these shows of couples cheating and friends betraying friends, but still.
What do you think? Do you take time to be aware of the message you send to your supposed target audience or readers?
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A story without a message is a waste of time.
Your only mistake was several emails. You were leaving and you were never going to change their mind. Just frustrated yourself. I developed the smile and leave approach. I saw a good t-shirt and sums it up.
“when you die, you don’t know, it impacts others. Same as when you are stupid”. They were stupid and just didn’t realise it.
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Nikki April Lee Absolutely! It sounds like you have a wonderful writing compass that you are guided by and you know why you do what you do. Well done!
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Wow it'd be a no from me as well!! That's not the sort of message I'd want to be involved in putting across. I'm conscious of what message my writing is putting out there. Is this dude somehow trying to justify himself I wonder....
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Figuring out whether or not you're a fit for a project is definitely a thing and I think it's safe to say I would've had the same gut feeling as you, going by the details you mentioned. Sounds like you did the right thing!
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I agree 100 percent!
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Nikki April, I'm so doggone glad you stood your ground!
I would've turned that producer down, too...and me, I really DO care about the message(s) in the stories I write.
Glad you're here on Stage 32...here's wishing you all the VERY BEST!
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If nothing else, be aware of bad storytelling! sounds like you dodged a bullet Nikki April Lee
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I'm aware of the message I send to a target audience or reader, Nikki April Lee. It's actually part on my outlining process. I basically think, "What am I tryna say?" and "How will this be interpreted?"
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Good for you. I believe messaging is important. Movies do hold a lot of influence over how many view the world.
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It's an ongoing subject, for some time, Nikki April Lee! Good, that you brought the subject up!
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Alternately, the idea could be a compelling look at contemporary marriage. The "right" to cheat is endlessly debatable. A well written script offers an opportunity for the husband to reconcile a Neanderthal outlook, and the wife to discover beauty is deeper than a pleasing face.
Definitely not a film for all tastes, consider TYRANNOSAUR, a Paddy Considine film. Based on Considine's childhood environment, it is light years beyond brutal and frank. The humiliation a wife endures is wriggle in your seat shocking. The message in this Sundance and BAFTA winner is there remains a glimmer of hope in abysmal situations.
There's room for all types of films for all types of audiences, including bold adult entertainment with a message that showcases the worst of humanity and a path through it. That is the catharsis audiences relish.