I sketched out a rough story for them and the director said, well it's a good story but we have the go-ahead from Universal to make this script and did I want to do it. I said no, and they left.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
I wasn't involved, except to the degree that they sent me drafts of the script as the writer turned them in. They asked me at one point to write a memo about what I thought of it.
I think that my script, if it gets used, would be great. But if it doesn't, I think it inspired them.
They sent me the script and I thought that there was something very appealing and funny about it. Also, I was familiar with Mike Myers' work in Saturday Night Live, but I did not know the extent to which he would make this creation.
Once you've agreed the script, you must be willing to go as far as it needs to go on set.
Why hire these geniuses if they're forced to stick with the script? You want to empower your actors as collaborators.
I've been spoiled by this project. I was given the script and went in to read, realizing that this was a powerful story and one that wasn't told very often.
As a writer, it's very difficult to just hand your script over to someone else, especially if you have to watch them hurt it, and that's when I decided I would direct my own work.
We did have a script, but it didn't consist of the routines and gags. It outlined the basic story idea and just a plan for us to follow. But when it came to each scene, we and the gagmen would work out ideas.
If the script is good, the cast and director good, I'll go anywhere.
I know that I wouldn't mind going back to work if I could find the right script and the right crew to work with.