In Response To Kevin's Facebook Post
(and the ensuing series of comments which Kevin
just removed from his facebook page)
regarding Josh Olson's blog rant: "I Will Not Read Your Fucking Script"
http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/archives/2009/09/i_will_not_read.php
I see both perspectives: I can actually empathize with where Olson is coming from (to a certain degree), despite his superciliousness. It’s a Catch 22 for anyone (regardless of how successful they are in the industry) because if someone asks to read your stuff and they a). don’t send you a polished piece, and b). they say they want honest feedback but in reality can’t handle blunt criticism, you either look like an asshole for saying no in the first place or an asshole when you give honest feedback that the person can’t handle. The problem isn’t just in how much time it takes to read the piece, it’s also in the time that is spent trying to formulate just the right notes because you don’t want to offend the author.
What really annoys me is when Wheeler tells someone he’s an aspiring screenwriter and inevitably Joe Schmo’s response is: “Oh yeah, I’ve always wanted to write a screenplay. That would be cool.” Talk about ignorant and disrespectful! You wouldn’t say to an architect “Yeah, I’ve always wanted to design a house. I think I could do it as well as you can.” You guys have spent your entire careers working your ASSES off to get to the point you’re at, and it’s not about merely “writing a story”; this is part of who you ARE. These idiots who think they can do it without the proper training are what give the true screenwriters a bad name. I think one of the key statements that Olson makes is “Which brings us to an ugly truth about many aspiring screenwriters: They think that screenwriting doesn't actually require the ability to write, just the ability to come up with a cool story that would make a cool movie.” THIS, my friends, is what makes you stand out amongst the rest (by the way, if this guy had been working on it for a freaking year why the hell did he only have a 2 page synopsis?!?).
HOWEVER, I do not believe this gives Olson the right to act so high-and-mighty that he can make such broad generalizations and say that he will only help friends and not any of the young, aspiring talent out there. Like Bru pointed out, he was once in that position, and not everyone is blessed to be born into “the industry” or automatically have the “friends” necessary to get your stuff read. I agree with Wheeler that as screenwriters, one of the best philanthropic things you can do is to help other young talent (and I will qualify this by saying ones who are qualified to have their stuff read—not just some guy off the street with a story, but for example, someone who has their MASTERS IN SCREENWRITING). When you get to the point where you think you’re too good or too busy to give back to society in any small way possible, it’s time to reevaluate your life.
Go JMoCrow!! With hindsight, I see Olson's point in a slightly "forgiving" light. However, how he reacted to this whole thing and wrote a blog to bitch to the hole universe that he is actually in a position where up and coming talent-void screenwriters hand him their stuff to read. And he is way too busy to read them, thank you very much. Oh, and I actually proved Kevin that one can read a 115-page screenplay and give half a page of notes in little over an hour. Man up, Olson. Or take some speed-reading classes.
ReplyDeletePeace.