Friday 21 May 2010

Dealing with Meetings

I was given great advice years ago. Always write down your notes after a meeting with producers and directors saying what was agreed and email it back to them so they can verify that this is what they want or tell you it isn't.

I've discovered to my cost that when you forget to do this, there's no-one to blame when misinterpretations, misunderstandings and frustration ensue.

But even worse than this is when you're the last to know there's a problem. When you, the writer, believe everything is going smoothly. When you believe a project is progressing well only to be told, unexpectedly, that it isn't. It can destroy your confidence, hamper your ability to do the job and leave you reeling for days. Nobody likes to get it wrong.

Yet another issue, that perhaps the first par's advice would fix, is working with people who 'sort of' know what they want but will only recognise it when it's in front of them.

It makes rewriting tortuous as the writer attempts over and over to interpret what is needed and satisfy everyone. Sometimes it's just not possible and you have to pull your tail between your legs and run for the hills, blaspheming or weeping loudly.

Why are we writers again?

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