I recently began watching The Studio, a satirical AppleTV+ comedy series about the film industry.

Seth Rogen plays Matt Remick, a studio exec who wants to make auteur-led, award-winning films. But when his boss (Bryan "Say My Name" Cranston) asks him to make a film based on Kool-Aid, Remick forgets his scruples, says "Ohhhhh yeaaaahhhhh," and gets promoted to studio head.

In the third episode (which is as far as I've watched), Remick has to give a "note" to Ron Howard (played by . . . Ron Howard).

A note is Hollywood speak for feedback. Typically of the negative sort.

And rarely do directors appreciate notes from studio heads.

Mild spoiler: Remick wants cut the latter third of the movie because it's self-indulgent. Yet, because it's Ron Howard, no one wants to give the note. But everyone agrees that the note will make the film better.

In other words, it's a necessary edit for the benefit of the audience at the expense of the author.

In my work as a book coach and developmental editor, I sometimes have to give the same note.

As a (mostly) impartial third party, I do my best to bring a reader's perspective to bear on my clients' work. If I believe a section or chapter serves the author more than the reader, I'll call it out. The author and I will discuss the merits of the suggestion.

Sometimes the cut is accepted.

Sometimes the material is kept but clarified.

And sometimes the author keeps the content wholesale because it was just too darling to them to kill.

Regardless of the outcome, at least I can say I did my job. I gave the note.

Takeaways

• When self-editing, ask if what you've written serves yourself or serves your reader.
• Even experienced writers can get lost in the weeds of their own book. For an objective assessment of what's best serving your reader, hire a professional developmental editor with experience in your genre.
• Sometimes the people who always hear yes need to hear a reasoned no.

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