Scene sucks BUT -

I can't think of any movie or show that doesn't have at least one scene that is sort of stinky. That's when you get your drink or hit the bathroom, or your mind catches up a bit.

It makes the other scenes that much better. If it serves a purpose, then it serves a purpose. You can't force it to be perfect if nothing comes to mind.

Just never admit it

Keep going with the script. If a better idea pops up for that scene, go back to it. If not, you have to move on. You're on a deadline

If and when they bring it up you have 2 choices (and both are guaranteed to work):

a) Refer to it as the pivotal scene that clearly illustrates the protag's character arc decision. Will he go this way -- or that way? Lives depend on the outcome of his choice. You're "very pleased" with this scene, but "appreciate that a writer sometimes has to allow the rest of the script to shine by cutting the scene she likes most"

b) Remove your hair clip and shake your head so your hair cascades down over your shoulders, and slowly unbutton your blouse.

Thank me later! Go get some typing done.

-Derek
My Web Page - shameless vampyre fiction & other shameless writings.
The practice of art isn't to make a living. It's to make your soul grow. ~The Complete Handbook of Novel Writing (Kurt Vonnegut)

scripter1 said:

you leave it in anyway because you're under deadline.

Any of you guys been there?

What do you do?
Do you leave it in, knowing it's the worst part of the whole script, it's totally lame but you've got to get the pages in and no ideas are coming to you as to how to fix it?

It's not that the scene doesn't do it's job, it's just that it's not particularly good writing. It doesn't quite fit in with the pacing, the dialog is a bit on the nose, and maybe it lacks genuine conflict or movement.

So, can you sit in a meeting and say "I know this scene stinks. I'm still working on it?"

I've got a producer waiting for this script, the deadline is coming up FAST and I HATE THIS SCENE!!!!!!!

Click to expand...

Leave it as it is and move on.

Much more important now to meet your deadline.

You may well get a chance to fix it later, so keep working on it.

If they call you to a story meeting or something and somebody's points it out as an issue, you have several options:

You can simply agree it sucks and tell them you'll fix it. You know, the guy says "This scene on page 46 ... it's lacking something" or whatever so you pick up the script, open it to page 46, read for a beat or two, and say, "Yeah, now that you mention it, I see what you mean. Sorry about that. Look, give me a day or so I'll fix it right up."

This is the innocense ploy.

Or, you can look in the script, act aghast, and say something like "I fixed this! How did the fix not show up in this draft?" all puzzled like, and tell them you'll have the new pages to them tomorrow or the next day or next week, whichever suits your fancy and will fly with them.

This is the really innocent ploy, you actually did fix it already, the fix just didn't get in this draft.

Or, you can tell them when you give it to them, "Ahh, there is one scene I'm still not entirelyhappy with ... page 46 ... I'll have it soon."

This is the forewarned ploy. You volunteered the information, saves them having to tell you and avoids the potential discomforts of that moment. Although, don't wait until you're in a meeting to employ this strategy, that's too late for it. Gotta be before and hopefully in a one-on-one. Once you're in a meeting, the ball's in their court and it's the innocense ploy or the super innocense ploy for you.

But meanwhile, for all practical purposes, you've met the deadline.

I dunno, that's my take. I don't think they''ll be inclined to shoot you or anything radical like that.

Added thought: Never under any circumstances either say outright or agree with any contention that anything you wrote "stinks." It may "need work," it may "require attention," it may "be underdeveloped," but it does not "stink."

You don't do stinky.

Get it written, then brainstorm and fix it.

I agree with...

The "move on" faction.

If the script is good, one bad scene won't kill it. It has already been said that meeting the deadline is more important. You'll have time to fix it after you get it to the producer. Don't keep a producer waiting. These people have a million screenplays to choose from -- don't give them a reason to blow yours off.

If the scene does it's job, something will come to you later that makes it better.

I repeat. Don't keep the producer waiting.

Just my humble opinion.

razor