advice of dealing with a "Know it all" writer

maranfilms

maranfilms

Veteran
Just looking for some advice from some of you that have dealt with a writer that wants to be the director, dp, casting director, location cordinator, production designer, etc....

I took a job to direct a film, which is a really good story. Unfortunately the writers ego is creating animosity in every aspect of the production.

After reading the first draft and noticing it had shots and angles added. My first request was to send me a copy that doesn't have shots in it. I explained that the DP. Will go through the script add shots and whatever notes, then give it to me to aprove and make changes if it doesn't go with my vision.

Here's another example. I auditioned an actress for a role, she has a show coming out on the discovery channel and is very experienced. But there's a scene where it calls for the actress to come out of the house in an open robe with bra and panties. She said she would do the role if it were tied in the front not showing her in panties. The writer said forget her, I have a girl that will have no problem doing the role in bra and panties. The girl he has in mind has no experience, and wants to use her because she's willing to show tna and family friend or something. This sent me over the edge. There is no relevance to the open robe other than him wanting to see a girl in panties, lol, I dont know. So these are only a few examples of the many that im up against, the Dp is a friend and we have shot several movies together, he's on the same page as I am. what would you guys do in this situation? walk or try to deal with this guys ego.
 
I've actually recently been in this same scenario. Dealing with a writer who thinks he's God is more than just a red flag for me. It's a deal-breaker.

I'd walk, if I were you. If it makes you feel better, at least know that this writer has no chance in Hollywood. Ever. If he maintains that attitude.

He's only going to continue constricting your vision unnecessarily, acting unprofessionally, and making your life hell. Halfway through the project, you could easily find yourself not caring anymore, counting down the days/hours until it's over, and your work will reflect that.

If that is how you see things going, is that how you want to work? Is this a significant use of your time, or a waste?

I believe it is a better use of my time exercising the fullest creative potential of my mind on a project with a shaky script, rather than having to be gun-shy about my creativity under the whip of a persnickety egotist on a project with an awesome script.
 
Bill's on the money, is he/she a writer/producer? A talk with the writer may change his attitude, if not walk. As far as nudity you can almost always justify a stripper dancing nude on a table top in the background in almost every scene in any movie worth watching or making.
 
Yeah, why is the writer involved at all at this stage? He delivers a script in electronic format, and you and the rest of the production team then make whatever changes you require for shooting. Very few finished films ever match the original script exactly.
 
I think you're absolutely right, but I'm just curious what experience on the Discovery channel gives them instant cred as an actress. :)
 
Writers on the set or in on the editing = problems. I would go into all the reasons but there is not enough time!
 
I reread your post, your professional actress has a problem with being in a bra and panties (and it was in the script or mentionsed before she auditioned)? How many actress' did you audition? One? Audition more actors, you don't have to listen to the jackass writers sugestion to use his newbie but you should be able to find an actress who is good and willing to show a bit of skin (if the script is good).
Some writers put shots and angles in scripts (I don't). Most assume they will be changed by the director, just ignore them. " No relevance to the story if she's in bra and panties" most producers would have a different take on it. If she's nude I would side with you but bra and panties, 97% of hot working actress' have zero issue with that for a good role.
 
lambert said:
I reread your post, your professional actress has a problem with being in a bra and panties (and it was in the script or mentionsed before she auditioned)? How many actress' did you audition? One? Audition more actors, you don't have to listen to the jackass writers sugestion to use his newbie but you should be able to find an actress who is good and willing to show a bit of skin (if the script is good).
Some writers put shots and angles in scripts (I don't). Most assume they will be changed by the director, just ignore them. " No relevance to the story if she's in bra and panties" most producers would have a different take on it. If she's nude I would side with you but bra and panties, 97% of hot working actress' have zero issue with that for a good role.
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How would the movie be any better at all if she was shown in panties? What does showing that actually add to the movie? My opinion is bravo for her actually having standards and the dignity to refuse to objectify herself. I wish more actresses were like that.
 
jghenderson, unless you are "40-year old virgin" there were plenty of times where you yourself were objectifying women by talking about their asses and breasts with your buddies over beer, so please take yourself off of this high pedestal of morality.
 
"How would the movie be any better at all if she was shown in panties?" How does a crane shot add anything to a story? Maybe it does maybe it doesn't, without seeing the film we both won't know. Might the director have skimped on spending any time looking for actors (posting responsible casting notices with what each part would entail) and went with the first actress that he knew? It does sound like the writer is the producer/fiscal partner and if that is the case the director should take his moral indignation and run away from the production. If not fire/ban the writer and make the picture.
 
"How would the movie be any better at all if she was shown in panties?"

It changes the tone.

Perhaps it reveals what kind of woman she is, ie. someone who doesn't give a damn if people see her in her underwear.

I don't think we should make assumptions about the writer's intent (or lack thereof). It's already established that he wrote a good story, so he must have something on the ball.

Rather than pile on hate, I like the third option where you audition more actresses.
 
"I like the third option where you audition more actresses. "+1
We also haven't discussed the possibility that you may want to work with this writer again and maybe recasting would preserve the prospect of having another good script come your way from the writer (that is if you believe the writer to be talented).
 
Patryk_Rebisz said:
jghenderson, unless you are "40-year old virgin" there were plenty of times where you yourself were objectifying women by talking about their asses and breasts with your buddies over beer, so please take yourself off of this high pedestal of morality.
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I'm 22, engaged to a beautiful woman, and have never sat around talking about specific body parts of people with my friends. Sure i've talked about people being attractive before, but when you get down into specifics it just gets creepy and shallow in my opinion.
 
jghenderson said:
How would the movie be any better at all if she was shown in panties? What does showing that actually add to the movie? My opinion is bravo for her actually having standards and the dignity to refuse to objectify herself. I wish more actresses were like that.
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I would say it depends on the scene, then again, I get the feeling it was probably not a scene killer. I was going to do an Adam and Eve (and Lilith pops up too) scene. No upfront nudity, breast covered with hair. Basically nothing salacious. I cut the scene mainly because it went on too long and somewhat explained things that had already been expressed. But in something like that I think nudity (or faux nudity) would be appropriate, especially how it would've been done. But there are plenty of times a producer just throws a scantly clad woman on screen in bra and panties just to have her there.

-Nate
 
I agree, the "tone" of the scene probably could be sacrificed for expression's sake. But you'd have to be a sentimental moron not to see the marketability of an actress scantily clad.


"It does nothing for the scene" vs. "It does nothing for the scene"

I will tell you this, it tells you alot of information about the character when she answers the doors in her panties.
 
maranfilms said:
I took a job to direct a film, which is a really good story. Unfortunately the writers ego is creating animosity in every aspect of the production.
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What does this mean? Are you working for the writer? Is he the producer's best friend? Where's the money coming from? Did you option it? Was he the originator of the project? If he's none of the above and the roles were clearly delineated from jump (which obviously they weren't and shows his apparent lack of experience) then get rid of the guy like everyone else has said. If any of the above is true, get rid of him tactfully and professionally. If he refuses to go, then you have a decision to make and have learned a valuable lesson for the next project.
 
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