Giving and Getting Feedback: The Complete Etiquette Guide for Script Writers and Readers

You’ve done the work. You’ve poured your soul onto the page and taken the scary leap to share your script. Now, someone has read it! This is a gift, especially if you have been able to hear people speak your words and bring life to them.

Feedback is one of the most vital stages of the writing process, but it can also be the most fraught with anxiety. A productive feedback session can elevate your script to new heights, while a poorly handled one can be discouraging and unhelpful.

Here is a comprehensive guide to make the feedback process smooth, constructive, and positive for everyone involved.

Before the Feedback: The Etiquette of Asking

Before anyone even reads a page, the process begins with your request. How you ask for feedback sets the tone for the entire interaction.

• Be Clear and Upfront: State the format and page count (e.g., "It's a 100-page feature script"). This allows the reader to understand the time commitment.

• Offer a Generous Deadline: Respect their time. Instead of "Can you read this by Friday?", try "I'd be grateful for your thoughts sometime in the next month, if you have the time."

• Acknowledge the Ask: Reading a script is a significant investment of time and energy. Acknowledge this, and make it clear that it is perfectly okay for them to say no.

• Offer to Reciprocate: If you're asking a fellow writer, always offer to return the favor.

The Role of the Dramaturg

Following live readings, it is always ideal to have a dramaturg conduct the feedback session. They are skilled facilitators who can guide the session well, asking pertinent questions and keeping the conversation focused, friendly, and contained within a reasonable time. Writers, readers, and participants can follow their lead for a constructive session.

For the Writer: How to Receive Feedback

1. Thank Everyone. Your readers and actors took time out of their lives to engage with

   your work. That time is precious. Start and end by expressing your gratitude.

2. Listen First, Speak Later. In a live feedback session, your primary job is to listen and absorb. Unless an exception is made by the facilitator, reserve your comments until all the feedback is in. Avoid the urge to defend, explain, or clarify. Just take notes.

3. Be Professional, Always. For written feedback, reply with gracious thanks, no matter how the notes were delivered. If something doesn't feel right, or even kind, simply thank them for their view. You can go swear, cry, or vent somewhere else. Professionalism will serve you well in the long run.

4. Let it Marinate. First impressions can be deceiving. Feedback that stings in the moment may end up being the most valuable. Step away from the notes for a day or two. Good feedback isn't always comfortable, but it often leads to growth.

5. You Are the Custodian of Your Story. You don’t have to take every suggestion. Ultimately, you are the writer and creator. After careful contemplation, make the best decisions for the story you want to tell.

6. Know When to Advocate (and When to Let Go). In a professional context (e.g., working with a producer), you may have to make everyone happy. Respectfully advocate for your vision, but also know where the line is. Be willing not to get your way.

For the Reader: How to Give Feedback

1. Remember the Human. There is a feeling, vulnerable human being behind the story. It doesn't matter how seasoned they may be; sharing creative work is an act of courage. Lead with kindness.

2. Ask What They Need. Before you dive in, ask the writer what kind of feedback they're looking for. This is crucial. A writer needing big-picture feedback on a first draft doesn't need notes on typos. (More on this below).

3. Start with What Works. Always let the writer know what you liked and what is landing well. This isn't just about being nice; they need to know what to keep. Positive feedback is just as important as critique.

4. Avoid Prescription; Use Questions. Instead of telling the writer how to fix something, guide them to a place of discovery. Trust that, once alerted to an issue, they will often come up with surprising and brilliant solutions.

   • Prescriptive (Less helpful): "You should have the main character yell at her boss in that scene. It's not believable that she'd stay quiet."

   • Question-based (More helpful): "I was interested in the choice to have the main character stay quiet when her boss confronted her. Can you tell me more about what she was feeling in that moment? I wanted to understand her objective."

5. Know When to Stop. There's a fine line between a helpful push and crushing a writer's soul. If you see they are becoming overwhelmed or discouraged, it might be time to pull back. The goal is to build the work up, not tear it down.

Tailoring Your Feedback to the Draft

Not all feedback is created equal. The most effective notes are tailored to the script's stage of development.

• First Draft Feedback: The focus here should be on the big picture. Is the core concept working? Are the main character's goals and motivations clear? Does the basic structure hold up? Avoid getting bogged down in line-by-line dialogue notes.

• Mid-Draft Feedback: Now, the focus can shift to pacing, subplot integration, consistency of character voice, and whether key emotional moments are landing as intended. Are the stakes escalating properly?

• Polish Draft Feedback: This is the time for granular feedback. Focus on trimming unnecessary words, punching up dialogue, catching continuity errors, and fixing formatting issues.

The 3-Step Method for Structured Feedback

When working with emerging writers, this 3-step process, used at Brigham Young University, can be very helpful for creating a safe and constructive environment.

1. Observations: Participants simply state matter-of-fact observations—not opinions or analysis. It is amazing how people’s observations can differ, which is incredibly useful for the writer.

   • Opinion (Less helpful here): "The second act dragged a bit for me."

   • Observation (More helpful here): "I observed that the main character had three consecutive scenes in their apartment, and in each one, they were talking on the phone."

2. Warm Fuzzies: As stated above, it is vital a writer knows what is working. This step is dedicated solely to positive reinforcement, which is both encouraging and helpful for sorting out the story's strengths.

3. Questions: Framing critique as a question helps clarify intent and prompts the writer to think through solutions themselves. It opens the mind to inspiration rather than shutting it down with commands.

The Ultimate Goal: The Feedback Contract

I know for many this is a tame approach, and some prefer a “tell it as it is” style. Ultimately, the work is most effective when a clear “contract” regarding feedback exists between the parties. This is best for all involved, and the work will be better for it.

Before you share your script, establish this contract by asking a few guiding questions:

• "This is a very early draft. I'm mainly looking for feedback on the overall story and characters. Could we focus on that for now?"

• "I'm particularly struggling with the antagonist's motivation. I'd love to hear your thoughts on that part specifically."

• "Are you open to giving blunt, 'tell it like it is' feedback, or would you prefer to stick to a more guided Q&A style?"

By setting expectations upfront, you create a framework for a respectful, targeted, and profoundly productive conversation. You ensure that the gift of feedback is one that truly helps the story shine.

For more tips and useful information check out the blog posts or for personal assistance with your latest project reach Susanna at scriptsbysusanna@gmail.com.