I’ve given up on my screenplay. I hate giving up on anything. During my final screenwriting course session I reflected on why I failed.
1. I can always use the old excuse of life getting in the way. It has been especially busy for the last few weeks at work and participating in the Poetry By Heart competition, but you can always do things if you want to. However, teaching, more than any other job I’ve done, seems to drain you mentally and so I have time, just no brain space.
2. I didn’t love the story I chose. I wasn’t sold on it entirely and couldn’t figure out some of the characters.
3. I have been working on receiving criticism for the last few years. I used to be really bad at it, , but I know it’s a really important thing to get better at. However, I found the way the tutors gave me notes, was contradictory and unhelpful. I have realised that I need a lot of reassurance in my life.
4. I’m really not a writer. At all. I did finish The Hall last year when some friends and I did a writing competition, but it nearly killed me.
However, I have realised a lot of positives from the whole experience:
5. From doing the course, we have found out about a film production course at The Phoenix in May and June, which we may do and I think will be more my thing. I’ve also realised what a great place it is for getting involved, which will be really great when Joey lives here.
6. I have read some really nice books from the reading list. William Goldman and Stephen King have been great inspiration.
7. I’ve found a career I definitely don’t want to do.
8. I have realised that I was teaching screenwriting in a fairly conventional way. Although, maybe with more resources and variety. Two hours in a room with just one voice is tricky…
9. I’ve learnt all about formatting, which is very useful and really enjoyable.
10. It has been really nice doing something creative with Mark and seeing how much he enjoyed the process. I also really like his idea and hope he keeps working on ‘The Gloaming’.
I’ve also realised that I set myself big challenges and maybe I shouldn’t kill myself when I fail. It’s good enough just to try things.
Harry's homemade film MA 
Don’t give up. Some projects can be tougher than others. I’ve found that it is often best to return to these things when the pressure’s off.
That said. Realism is very important – we’re not all Aaron Sorkin!
Thanks Dirk. I’m hoping to get back in to blogging and hopefully short story writing this summer, may leave the screenplays to someone else…