I’m Getting All Too Used to Professional Disillusionment

Having to cut great scenes — “killing your babies,” as Julia Ames once called it — not for timing, or pacing, but because of audience sensitivity concerns is really grating. I understand that, particularly in the corporate world, it’s often completely necessary, but I feel like a Hollywood producer having to change the ending of a movie because of test audience reactions. You know, come to think of it, with the exception of the “Hollywood” part, that’s totally accurate. Don’t get me wrong, I think we were able to come up with some pretty damn good stuff (particularly given that our big “premiere” is this Monday) — and Ginny’s done an absolutely fantastic job of directing and editing this thing together beautifully. But it’s disappointing to know that a better scene is sitting on the (proverbial) cutting room floor.

Still, I suppose there’s still plenty in there to offend somebody. I’ll let everyone know how it goes after the show. And I’ll hang onto a copy of the “Director’s Cut.”