Collaboration; AKA: how to Lose Friends, Influence People and (sometimes) Improve Ones’ Scripts

Once one’s been in the writing game for several years, one trick of the trade shines crystal clear:

Always start one’s articles with some pithy insight.  Just a few choice bon mots are all you need: cherry picked to ring profound.

At the end of the day, it’s a marketing case of “less is more”: a repurposing of insights originated by brilliant men and women who once blazed the path you now tread. An insight which – when wielded right – lights the way to knowledge, achievement… and much more.

In that tradition, I’ll begin this post with a hip-hop quote from two old school prophets known as Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock.  (Unless you’re a Millennial, you’ll know them – right?)

Specifically, Rob B. And DJ wrote a cute little ditty that goes like this (Maestro, cue the bee-bop):

“It takes two to make a thing go right.  Whoo!  It takes two to make it outta sight.”

Wise words, no?  And a damned catchy beat.  One which apt summarizes a philosophy us writers should embrace with open arms - whenever the prospect of Script Collaboration falls at our feet.

First things first.  To slide right into a hip-hop groove, let’s take Juvenile’s directive, “Back that Thang Up” – and ask a question or two before we start. 

The general topic: Script Collaboration. 

Question 1: Is it wise? 

Our wimpy answer?  Sometimes.  But whether one’s a rocker or a writer at heart, the creation process is the same.  To create a TRUE work of art that’s worth dedicating energy to*, integrity of vision is the “spine.”

Put two writers together that don’t agree on premise or theme, and the result is sure to be disaster; a Frankenstein monster of Michael Bay proportions.  An utter waste of money, and effort – not to mention audience time.

But (cue the romantic music, if you please) when two scriptwriters meet cute and lock eyes…  the result can be pure magic; the melding of different strengths and skills – resulting in a final product “duet” that truly SINGS. One that’s far MORE than the measly sum of its parts.

For the sake of argument (and what writer doesn’t like arguing, I say?) let’s assume you’ve just met that “special someone.” You talked about favorite movies and bonded – and orchestra music swelled… from somewhere.  Then one of you grew a set and initiated… “the talk.”

The dialogue probably went something like this, while huddled in a McDonalds booth (or Burger King – whatever location’s best):

WRITER-BUDDY: Hey, dude… I was thinkin’. 

YOU: Really – you? That’s a change. 

WRITER-BUDDY: You know I dig your organic dialogue. It makes your characters pop right off the page.

YOU: Uh, thanks.  Can I have a fry? 

WRITER-BUDDY: Get lost, slacker - buy your own. Didn’t you ink a writer-for-hire agreement just last week?

YOU: I did, but… there’s no up-front payment. It’s net points only. And only after they get a distributor signed.

WRITER-BUDDY: When’ll that happen?

YOU: 2018. I think.  Listen, I’m hungry now. I gotta save coin to pay the rent.

WRITER-BUDDY: Fine. Take one fry. And only if you hear me out.  You know that thriller I’ve been working on - the one with that super high concept twist?

YOU (munching on a fry): Remember? I already gave you notes on the first thirty. Those action scenes majorly rock.  I’d give my left nut to write that way… You ready to send Act Two my way?

WRITER-BUDDY: Um, no. I keep getting stuck on exposition.  The characters just haven’t found… their voice yet.

YOU: You’ve been stuck mid-plot all year. You gotta blast past that writer’s block.

WRITER-BUDDY: What if… we join forces? 

YOU: Huh?

WRITER-BUDDY: 50/50, I mean. You polish dialogue, I focus on explosions. The colorful, dynamic, messy kind. We’ll steamroll through to the next draft and…

Your eyes light up with inspiration, fueled by carbs.

YOU: Sounds good. It’s a deal.  Lemme fire up Final Draft on my 1^st Gen iPad….

You play with the clunker tablet. But wi-fi doesn’t work in here.

WRITER-BUDDY: Let’s wait ‘til we get home. And chew with your mouth closed, okay?  If we’re gonna work in close quarters, that’s too disgusting to see…

And with just those words – the grand adventure begins:

It’s a magical foray into the world of Script Collaboration.  Ala the Science Fiction genius of Jules Verne, it’s your Journey to the Center of the Earth – cruising at top notch speed towards Writing Brilliance… or despair.

Which brings us back to Question #1: is such a journey really wise?  Will this match-up prove to be made in Heaven… or the molten core of Hell?

That depends on one’s partner’s three crucial writing “P’s: Do personalities, philosophies, and priorities gell?  Then: how flexible are you both to changes and tweaks?  Ultimately only time will tell. 

Still, once that alliance in McDonalds is officially sealed – the next Olympic move for you both is to jump head first into the Mysterious, Murky Pool of Cowriting, and see how deep one can dive before you bash your skulls against a rock.

Which leads us to Question #2.  DJ Jazzy Jeff or Hip-Hop?

Or: Do you want ketchup with your fries? Though most writers find themselves saying that at least once in their careers, on second thought, maybe not.

Once one hollers “Hells Yeah” to a partnership proposal, the first order of business is to simply to flesh this out: What the Franken-Fudge Do We Do Next?

Which depends on one’s Methods of Madness. And unique strengths.

As of today’s writing, I can honestly say I’ve had that McDonald’s conversation a few times.  Admittedly, never in person. For me, every single time’s been remote, kind of like literary Sexting in it’s own way.  Which can be a fun, safe way to operate. Hook up with your partner only when you’re “in the mood”.  Otherwise just avoid your phone. (Not to mention, lock the door and clean up whatever when you’re done.)

And just like sex, everyone’s different. Depending on the partners, collaborative fumbling can wreak havoc or rewards. What creates memorable Life Experiences sometimes, can result in an embarrassing mess in other rooms.  Leaving temporarily aroused writers disappointed and let down – shivering pathetically alone in bed, and muttering half out loud: “All that work, and we accomplished nothing. Why did I even bother to come?”

To quote yet one more wise gentleman, let’s head on over to famous sex columnist Dan Savage, originally of the Village Voice. “No matter who one’s partner is, make sure to be GGG: Good, Giving and Game.”

Let’s throw some definitions in here, shall we?

Good: willing to communicate with your writing buddy – consider their ideas with an open mind. 

Giving: invest 100% into the partnership – focusing on where your strengths lie. 

And then there’s Game: be ready, able and willing to try “whatever works” – within reason, that is.

So, what follows after that?

Just as with sex play and bondage, writing partners should start by laying down certain ground rules. (Like, establish safe words to avoid conflict: mess with THAT character and – Jesus Christ - I’ll explode!)

Similar to Dan Savage, couples counselors often wax eloquent re: how finances can affect a relationship. (Usually, for the worst.) With Writing Buddies, that’s the same. 

Before you two crazy-in-love kids throw caution to the wind and dive into your still-made writing bed, take a moment and a deep, deep breath – to discuss a few touchy-feely things…

Like what, you ask? Little, tiny, crucial things.  For instance, script credit, control/marketing of the final script, and the division of proceeds (including “offspring” such as prequels, product placement, sequels, rewrites and much more.). Sure, it’s always awkward to discuss a pre-nup. But taking the time to confirm you agree on basics, beats the Hell out of a messy “divorce.”

After THAT?  Dive into the fray, kid. Go to town. Then, depending on your writing partner’s tastes and “kinks”, different techniques will suit you two best. 

Perhaps one writer originates a high concept premise– and leaves the “nuts and bolts” of writing up to their partner, 99%**.

Or – together, you hash out an outline and/or treatment, ensuring you’re both on the same page.  Do you generate the script piecemeal, scene by scene?  Or does one person crank out first draft, with the partner jumping in later, for a gloss***?

As with all other collaborations in Life, a baby’s welfare hinges on its parents.  How they nurture them to grow, and what skills/genes do the adults pass on?  So it is with scripts as well.

From all the hip-hop philosophers throughout the ages, Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock had it right. Sometimes it *does* take two. At least when it comes to certain works of art.

To paraphrase one final wordsmith -  let’s us boldly go to Star Trek. A franchise chock full of philosophical insights and quotes, the particularly illuminating line we’ll wield today comes fresh from the original series episode Errand of Mercy; delivered from Klingon Kory to William Shatner’s James T. Kirk.  “Well, Commander, I guess that takes care of that. It would have been glorious.”

As will your script be – that is, if you handle it just right. Will YOUR collaboration fail or succeed? To find out for sure, a writer warrior’s got to engage in battle head-to head. Charge bravely into the fray and try!

* IE: Nothing that fits a Blake Snyder STC beatsheet.

** Giggle: I just wrote “nuts”. Please say you got the innuendo there?

*** Snort: I just wrote “gloss” in the middle of a sex metaphor.  This is getting worse by the minute?  But memorable and informative to read – and at the end of the day, that’s what counts.