" Pixar commits to artists the same way, knowing that there are going to be drafts and screenings that fall flat, but instead of panicking and firing people we commit to the long-term development process." That's not what I've heard. Brenda Chapman was fired from the upcoming film Brave. And Brenda was the original creator of that project.

“On every project, there’s a point where we think we’ll never crack it. We really despair. We think the story sucks.” In my work as a contract technical writer for the software industry I face the same sort of phenomenon with every new project. I've been able to discuss this with the best of my managers. I think that it might be a common phenomenon for people who do innovative work. I'd love to hear about other writers' experiences with this.

“On every project, there’s a point where we think we’ll never crack it. We really despair. We think the story sucks.” Awesome. There are days when I think, "You're foolin' yourself, THIS story can't and shouldn't be cracked. Give up, move on to a different story." But, then nagging reality hits: How will I finish any story if I don't slug* it out with this one? *No slugs are harmed during rewrites. ;)

"They’ve watched a lot of movies and paid attention to why they work and, more importantly, why they didn’t." I'd be interested to learn more about how movies don't work. We always get the critics' perspectives, but I feel like as students we aren't breaking down the structural mistakes enough. We spend a lot of time studying the best films, which, I admit, is much more fun. Here, Mary Coleman is saying that finding why movies *don't* work is more important than finding why they do. Great interview. Thanks for providing us once again with this amazing access, Scott.

Its pain to be perfectionist. Its even more pain when the story takes over in your mind and starts to demand deeper levels. No, its not voices in the head. But the real problem lies in not being willing to allow the story to happen and go with the flow for some reason or another. Trusting the process requires being devoted and have faith(in the story).

Not just writers. One of my life drawing instructors said "Every drawing goes through a period of despair." I think in any creative endeavor, you experience an "all is lost" moment (or several).

Andy Dufresne broke Shawshank, one pocketful at a time.

Chapman has a co-screenplay credit on the movie and a co-director credit as well.

Elisa, you might enjoy The Creativity Post, it's like The Huffington Post only about creativity. It's co-founded by Scott Kaufman who is an associate of my wife. Here is Kaufman's bio: Scott Barry Kaufman, Ph.D. is a cognitive psychologist specializing in the development of intelligence, creativity, and personality in education, business, and society. He applies a variety of perspectives to come to a richer understanding and appreciation of all kinds of minds and ways of achieving greatness. He holds a doctorate from Yale University and a Masters degree from Cambridge University, where he was a Gates Cambridge Scholar. He is currently Adjunct Assistant Professor of Psychology at New York University and Chief Pedagogical Advisor of The Future Project, an educational reform movement that aims to inspire young Americans through dynamic partnerships. I'm going to interview him soon. I've been tracking the site for awhile and they have articles often on the creative process, some of which I know have dealt with obstacles that just naturally seem to arise along the way.

And you know what's coming, right? "The only way out is through!" * No mantras were harmed with this post.

Gabe, I have thought about doing precisely that -- focusing on movies that did not work -- but even if the writers of credit had little if anything to do with a film's floppage, it still feels uncomfortable to me. My approach has been to praise movies I think are good or great, and pretty much keep my mouth shut about those that aren't [in my view]. Not out to trash writers. But there has to be a way to do that because it is important to learn lessons for what does not work. Suggestions?

Mikael, you are talking my language. The more I write, the more I find myself striving to mainline the story from its soul. All my theories and practices, for me they're just tools for going into the story [where have I heard that before?] and tapping into its organic essence. And you are right: To do that, you have to have faith in the story. That's why I like the metaphor of approaching story not as an I-It relationship, story as object, but rather an I-You connection with a living, breathing entity.

Bonus points for the Shawshank reference!

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[...] On every project, there’s a point where we think we’ll never crack it. We really despair. We think the story sucks. And that’s when everybody does the hand-holding and commits to making it better.” Mary Colemon Senior Development Executive at Pixar Interview with Scott Myers at Go Into The Story [...]

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