Would you direct a project with a weak script?

F

FilmBoy77

Veteran
a guy wants me to direct a short film he wrote. it only has 1 location, about 3 or 4 actors, something real basic and can be done in a matter of hours maybe 5 or 6. problem is the script is kind of weak and the ending is typical. i was going to do this for fun and to practice on lighting/audio/cinematography but the two guys that are going to help me with boom and lights are laughing at this guys script and saying they want to work on something they can put their names on and be proud - which is true.

my question is, as the director, is it arrogant to meet this guy and tell him to make changes to his story until it is interesting before i direct?

if he needs help on the concept and dialogue should i get writing credits?

what i'm trying to avoid is redoing his entire short into something of my own because i can do that by myself.

opinions please......
 
Well, I guess it depends. How much stuff have you directed? I know from the other post you did one before (right?). Myself, I would either pass or tell the guy that it needs work. There's no point in holding punches if you're going to be working on it personally...
 
If its laughably bad I'd skip over it, MrWrong just posted a few scripts of his if you want to shoot something worth shooting. If it just needs a few minor tweaks I would tactfully suggest he fix it. Dont most scripts get re-worked by directors/producers anyways? And doesnt the original writer still get the written by credit?
 
It you're looking for some experience and the time commitment is minimal - sounds like less than a day total, then you should go with your gut. If you hate it, don't bother. It will just be a waste of time. Keep in mind that Directing and DPing are very different jobs. No disrespect here, it just sounds like from your post you're more interested in DPing for the experience. I believe to be really good at either job, you should know a decent amount about each. But, don't feel like you will always be shooting and directing. I think the best directors are able to tell great stories because they have a strong DP who is making sure that it looks great. This leaves the director to really focus on the storytelling and not get bogged down in the technical side. If you're thinking you can get some good experience out of it, what do you have to lose - 10 hours of your life?? Go with your gut. Good luck either way!
 
tommyinla said:
Well, I guess it depends. How much stuff have you directed? I know from the other post you did one before (right?). Myself, I would either pass or tell the guy that it needs work. There's no point in holding punches if you're going to be working on it personally...
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yea i've done one and got some good experience from it. i'm spending more time on the script/story for my next project and i was considering doing this in order to test out my new monitor and dolly but i dont want to waste anybody's time including mine now that i think about it so i agree with you.

tumbleweed said:
I believe to be really good at either job, you should know a decent amount about each. But, don't feel like you will always be shooting and directing. I think the best directors are able to tell great stories because they have a strong DP who is making sure that it looks great. This leaves the director to really focus on the storytelling and not get bogged down in the technical side.
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good advice. i guess i was trying to polish up on my DP skills a little so i can get to be decent at it. i'm moreso interested in writing and directing, problem is i am having to shoot all my own stuff right now because i'm running on a 3-man crew.

i think i'll just meet with the guy and go over his script with him and tell him my thoughts. my gut is telling me not to invest too much time into something that may turn out to be longer than expected because i dont want to half ass anybodys project including my own. i guess i have that bad habbit of always trying to help everybody else out. i need to focus on my own sh^%. :)

thanx everybody....
 
Are you in college? I think you will learn more from a shitty movie than you will from a good movie. Just do it and keep notes about how you will do it differently next time. Recognize what works & what doesn't work.

Don't worry about putting your name on something that will bury itself.
 
Knoxworth said:
Are you in college? I think you will learn more from a shi*ty movie than you will from a good movie. Just do it and keep notes about how you will do it differently next time. Recognize what works & what doesn't work.

Don't worry about putting your name on something that will bury itself.
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Since its a short... I'd say do it... just go about it by saying... as the director I'd like to take it in this direction (no pun intended or maybe so) and see how they react...
 
yes of course!!! any experience is better than none... and i love a good challege!! and if you direct it well... maybe you can help the script a little bit.
 
Totally off subject... but mindzeye seeing your lovely picture there makes me think of the CBS logo and was Twilight Zone on CBS when it first aired... if so... makes me think if it was a commentary on the network... okay back to topic...'

Yes direct the short... you can always loose a copy if you don't like it...
 
I still say find a script that's worth directing. It's really not that hard. Don't start with something you won't be happy with and try and make it work out. Start with something decent so you're inspired to direct it.

As jdajda mentioned, there's a thread in screenplays by mRwrOnG... grab one that he's done and work with that. It's not that hard to find something worth working on...
 
I say go ahead and do it, you'll be so much more experience when your own project comes around.

The only reason I'd say not to do it, only if you gonna half A$$ the poor guys script, but I would do it, just to have the experience... and u never know, the movie might become an underground classic.... LOL! it has happen, movies people thought were never going to work... and voila!!! by some mirracle of the gods, it worked.

DO IT!
 
My feeling is that you should make suggestions for the script and see if the guy will rewrite it. If so, and if it becomes something you want to make, then shoot it.

Never, ever, ever take a writer's script and rewrite it yourself without his permission. That's extremely unprofessional. And I'd also suggest you do not ask for a writer's credit unless your ideas substantially change the story. Don't get credit hungry just for doing your job as the director (which is to cinematically interpret the script with your own vision).
 
i wouldn't direct something i felt wasn't good. it will only make you look bad. i don't care how good of a director you are, if you start wtih a weak script, you'll end up with a weak movie. it won't even be useful as practice because you won't have an opportunity to push yourself or learn anything new if the story is cliche. if there are small things that need fixing, then you should definitely tell the writer to make changes. if it's beyond a quick fix, i'd recommend finding another project worth your time.
 
If you are doing this "professionally", skip it.

Otherwise, if you are considering doing this project just because you love directing and filmmaking, I say go for it... tackle it as a challenge to your self.... see how well you can "polish this turd" and use the whole experience as a way to measure your own skill.

Just my $0.02
 
tommyinla said:
There's a saying that goes something like this - you can't polish a turd...
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Unfortunately hollywood has figured out how to gold plate them, and the public have forgotten that all that glitters is not gold.

I will leave you with another cliche.
If you build a better mousetrap they'll just build a better mouse.
 
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