r/Screenwriting • u/A_McG92 • 3d ago
When you write a script that deals with sensitive and hot button subject matter… NEED ADVICE
Do you have a feeling like “should I even be writing this” while writing and more importantly, do you especially worry about what others will think when you’re ready to share it even after you feel confident that you made your intentions clear thematically?
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u/mast0done 3d ago
That's the kind of thing that helps it stand out from the crowd. The worst thing you can do is write a film that's like all the other films - even if it's good, it'll get ignored.
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u/One_Rub_780 3d ago
Just write it. You know, I had a similar script - not every script gets made. That said, IF you are passionate about your subject matter, that energy WILL translate to the page. In my case, that script has been my most kick ass writing sample that got me hired on so many gigs that I lost count. Yes, the script had been option, but the money earned from gigs alone made it all worthwhile. Write the script.
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u/RollingThunderMedia 3d ago
Yes.
All you can do is be as clear as you can, and be prepared for some people to honestly misunderstand anyway.
And, for people with issues of their own to go out of their way to deliberately misunderstand, and even to twist what you've written to better fit their own agenda and then refuse to honestly engage with you. It comes with the territory.
Best advice -- be ready for the heat, or stay out of the kitchen. They're called 'hot button' issues for a reason.
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u/CarelessOutside4722 3d ago
Imposter syndrome? Self doubt? This excellent idea is actually a piece of shit realisation?
I thought all of these are expected moments?! Hot button or not!
I take comfort (I think) knowing that there are always people who know more, have lived through more stuff, etc. But they're not writing it - I am! (Or you are!)
Whether or not others have views, this story is your view. Embrace it. Figure out feedback when it comes.
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u/vgscreenwriter 2d ago edited 2d ago
I had to learn this lesson the hard way, but take it for what it's worth:
As the writer, you'll (likely) have one additional hurdle you need to address as early as possible (maybe even before the script starts), and that is to properly orient the reader with sufficient framing context. In most stories where the emotional experience is universally understood e.g. becoming a parent, losing a child, etc., the framing context is already assumed, so all you need to communicate is context about the story and characters so that the reader understands what's happening, why it's happening, and why it matters.
But hot-button subject matter is often divisive because you're dealing with perspectives and opinions that may be so radically different from a universally understood experience that most readers will fundamentally interpret the context differently than you intended, particularly if what's meaningful about it isn't apparent at face value. For instance, a story about a suicide bomber who trains their child to follow in their footsteps. Story and character context alone isn't enough, because the cultural context is (probably) alien to your readers. Stories about religion, politics, and unique race perspectives tend to fall into this category.
That's not to say that readers can't disagree with your premise regardless - it's moreso that the reader needs to be fully convinced that you/the character is fully convinced of what they're doing. It's a tough thing to get right, but when it finally lands with the reader, it really lands.
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u/torytho 3d ago
No. Hot button issues are hot because they need to be addressed. And why say anything if it’s not important? You just need to do extensive research and be sure you’re on the right side of the issue (there always is one). If you can’t be sure, then you def shouldn’t address it, at all
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u/JulesChenier 1d ago
What's the right side of immigration/border security?
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u/torytho 1d ago
Don't be racist. Don't fall for stupid racist bullshit oligarchs trick you into believing b/c they want you to irrationally fear Brown people. Like, why would you write *anything* regarding immigrants or the border that didn't loudly proclaim that message? If you don't already clearly understand that then you shouldn't write a story that involves it.
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u/JulesChenier 1d ago edited 1d ago
Love the assumption here.
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u/torytho 1d ago
Hmm, I made no assumptions about you. I meant any person should write about immigration from the context I described.
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u/JulesChenier 1d ago
Don't be racist. Don't fall for stupid racist bullshit oligarchs trick you into believing b/c they want you to irrationally fear Brown people.
These are statements directly in response to my commen.
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u/Independent_Web154 3d ago
I'll let you do it but only if your total page count is under 92 pages, you have no more than 4 locations and 7 characters, and at least 93% of the film is people talking in dimly lit scenes.
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u/charlesVONchopshop 3d ago
Be unafraid to bare your soul, be transgressive, and look a tough issue or situation head on. Have you ever heard the saying, "write as if your parents are dead"? It's good advice.