Notes on Feedback for SIH Writers
Script-in-Hand Readings – Feedback
The purpose of Script-in-Hand (SIH) readings is to help writers create new plays. So by definition, the plays read at our meetings are not polished, perfected works. The philosophy of SIH is that the real value of our readings comes from the writer hearing the work read aloud – it is then that the writer can hear whether a line or a scene is working.
Audience feedback directly after each reading is not encouraged due to time constraints. However, sometimes a short feedback session can be helpful. To determine if your play is likely to benefit from audience feedback, consider this checklist.
* Do I feel the play has room for improvement?
If the play is perfect as it is, don’t ask for feedback. Feedback is to help you find out what’s not working. If it’s perfect you should be sending it out to producers.
* Do I care what the audience has to say?
If you don’t really care what the audience has to say about your work, or don’t feel it will be helpful at this stage in the development of your play, don’t ask for feedback.
* Can I handle feedback?
Although SIH strives to be polite and considerate, feedback sessions can sometimes become loud and argumentative, and criticisms can be harsh. If you are likely to become discouraged by strongly-worded critiques, please think carefully before asking for feedback.
* Is the play ready for feedback?
The first reading of an early draft of a 10-page excerpt of a full- length play will probably not benefit from feedback. Although readings are beneficial all during the writing process, audience feedback too soon in a play’s development can be harmful. Wait until the play is more solid before you subject it to the slings and arrows of feedback.
* Do I have questions for the audience?
Requesting general comments is probably the least useful type of feedback session. Have specific questions already in mind – Does the opening set the tone? Is the dialogue too wordy? Is the main dramatic question clear? Are the characters stereotypes? Is the plot or storyline believable? – Direct questions are far more likely to elicit useful feedback than asking for “whatever anybody thinks about the play.”
* Should I pay attention to the audience during the reading?
The most honest feedback is revealed through body language during the reading. If the audience is fidgeting, sleeping, or not laughing at lines that are supposed to be funny, you should be aware of it. If you really want helpful feedback, sit at the back during the reading.
* Will I avoid arguing with the feedback?
The audience is doing you a favour by not only sitting through your possibly flawed play, but offering their opinions at your request. Even if the feedback is wrong-headed, completely unhelpful, or harsh, the best response is either no response, or a “thank you for your thoughts” response. Follow up questions from the author to the audience can be helpful, but if you feel you’re becoming angry or upset by the feedback, you can decide to cut the feedback session off by saying “thank you, that’s enough for now.”
* Have I warned my friends and family that the feedback session might include criticisms?
Some writers like to invite their friends and family to their readings. It is important to warn people who are new to SIH that our readings exist for the purpose of improving flawed plays, not simply to stroke egos – although that might happen too. Too often during feedback sessions invited guests become offended or upset that their loved one’s work is being criticized.
* Is this my audience?
If you get negative responses to your play it could mean there are problems with the play or it could mean that this is not the right audience for the play. Remember what happened to Margaret Edson – she sent her Pulitzer Prize-winning play W;T, in her words, “…to every theatre in the country and they all rejected it, except one.”
Eventually Edson found her audience.
* Do I need more than 5 minutes of feedback?
SIH tries to give its member writers as much reading time as possible, so if feedback is requested we limit the session to 5 minutes per reading. If you feel that you need more feedback, you are welcome to talk to people at the end of our readings. Most people will be glad to share additional thoughts about your play.
* Yes, I would like feedback.
If you do decide that you’d like specific feedback, make sure to let your director know so that they can tell the audience what to look out for before the read begins, and also so that we can programme the extra time needed.
Gerry Greenland.
