PRODUCTION: Evaluation

Critical Evaluation! 

One of the most surprising parts of writing this series was developing and realising I'd been developing my own personal approach to writing. I have grown to understand the importance and benefit of properly planning your story, taking time to consider characters, story and structure. When I first wrote, I tended to begin with an idea and build off of it, writing the script on the fly. By taking the time to genuinely consider my series, I avoided my typical issue of burning out but also began to enjoy the process of building the story, deeply considering the characters, their world and building it all to intertwine and feed from each other. In future, I'm aware (and excited) to try and spend more time considering the full act structure of my story, ensuring to try and correlate each act with its corresponding and to spend more time considering the way I reflect character through action and better considered through stories. I've been able to better understand importance and benefit of pre-thought, re-consideration and testing ideas. Feedback has proven extremely beneficial in not only furthering my story, but reassuring myself as a writer but also being able to push and challenge myself. Asking and requesting feedback is something I'm aware I need to get better at actioning, setting aside my personal worries and anxieties for the sake of the story - i'm aware their thought on my script don't reflect on me as a person .. I just need to accept that and work on it.  

  

Perhaps the biggest struggle of the whole project came about mid-way through. Combining the time spent on the project with the Covid-19 lockdown meant I spent a couple of weeks away from my script and it definitely had a big impact. My motivation took a big dip and I lost a lot of time during the writing phase, which knocked-on to affect my re-writes, almost cancelling them entirely. I realised perhaps almost too-late to refocus on story, but that proved a big help in re-energising personal interest in the project and after some time away, I came back with fresh ideas, new perspectives and an anxious urge to get back to writing. In order to prevent this happening - or at least be better equipped when it does - I developed more discipline and structure in my working approach .. definitely a little late, but hopefully it will serve me well in the future.  

  

Something I struggled with during this process was writing dialogue. All of my sources informed me that one key aspect of dialogue should be subtext, characters saying one thing but acting in another way to reveal their true intentions. While this is something I tried to achieve, I was very consciously aware that the majority of my dialogue seemed fairly two-dimensional and literal. Dialogue is definitely a skill I want to practise and hone, exploring the idea of characters speaking contradicting to their actions. I think my dialogue is too conversationally, instead of presenting the illusion of conversation but serving the structure and character. One positive aspect of my dialogue I was reassured to was that it fit with the genre and authentic within its tone - though I think that was helped by my being fully immersed in university for 4 years.  

One of the biggest downsides of losing two weeks at the beginning of lockdown, is the time I made up ended up coming out of the time i'd originally planned for my re-writes. I'd originally planned to take the final few weeks to dedicate solely to making the final checks and corrections to my scripts, strengthening my dialogue, scene descriptions and looking out for any obvious mistakes/missed elements. I was especially worried about some of the story aspects I'd included in later episodes and needed setting up. In order to ensure these were being set-up I was able to set aside time on the weekends to add in these elements, aware that without full dedicated re-writes the script would still have some loose ends or missed connections but all of the necessary elements are there! 

  

Overall, writing this series has proven to be a genuinely, and at times surprisingly, very enjoyable experience. Beginning mostly as a personal project, I've always enjoyed stories and writing (even being a short-realised dream career as a child). As i got older, I developed an interest in theatre and performance but again anxiety and self-esteem stood in way. Now appreciate how performance has also helped with appreciation of character.  

  After taking a small confidence knock after a terrible and barely thought-through script in my first year at university, I wanted to test myself and see if I could build my skills to write a full series.  Committing to writing full series, 6X40 (despite initial tutor unsureness) became personal challenge which proved invigorating to write, especially in having to maintain focus for so long on one thing which I found easier after developing a story from conception and yet and still enjoying project, growing deeper appreciation and understanding for it as it grew too. Already considering and developing potential further story ideas. 

Now, in braver moments, I can consider role as writer - although I am deeply aware that perhaps I'm not resilient enough to truly pursue it as a full career. This project has taught me I crave stability around my working environment, which i'm aware is not always likely as writer. However, this process has helped build my confidence and belief in self, and I feel as if I'd genuinely love to send a script off for real consideration, even if it's just the once and it's immediately sent back.