David Priestley

Hi Josh, I read your script and I like it. For what you intent to do - a zero-budget short - the script is more than good enough. I wouldn't concern yourself with the opinion of others, especially wanna-be writers (the internet is full of them). As Woody Allen (well the Hemmingway character) put it in Midnight in Paris: Hemmingway: My opinion is I hate it. Gil: Well you haven't even read it yet. Hemmingway: If it's bad, I'll hate it because I hate bad writing, and if it's good, I'll be envious and hate all the more. You don't want the opinion of another writer. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eiZT-0fohBA What people consider to be good is subjective. If everybody liked the same things, wouldn't the world be a boring place? We wouldn't need to make movies because every story would be the same. Trust your instincts and make your film. It will find an audience and if it doesn't, it's all experience. Your script is fine. I think people forget that a short is just that... short. You might have someone comment that it's incomplete, but you're making a 5 minute film not a 90 minute plus blockbuster movie. Shorts should have a sense of mystery and should provide questions, not answers. Engage the audience and let them fill in the blanks... Watch any David Lynch short film and you'll see what I mean. If I put my writers hat on and had to give you some advice it would be think about how you want the story to end. Personally, I would have the priest plot to have the girl killed and maybe add a couple of twists but that's me (and that's also a much longer film). Keep us updated on your progress. Just don't be discouraged. As Justin said, "everybody's a critic today." Don't forget to have fun and remember your why. All the best, David