I think the proper phrase is ‘creative differences’.  And it was an amicable parting of ways, at least from my perspective.

Whatever happens next with this short, I will not be involved and I wish this guy all the best.

When somebody uses phrases like “the script is very subtextual” and “the characters don’t mean what they said; you have to see the acting,” and “the jokes are just funny; they have nothing to do with anything so far,” I take that as a sign to go.

From my perspective, it might have helped if he had been a little more detailed when he said “this is what I want”, rather than “see what you can do with this”.  I suspect this probably happens a lot with professional writers.  A producer says “I want this!”, then follows it up with, “That’s not what I meant.”

Oh well. Live and learn.

-One of my New Year’s resolutions is to check out more screenwriting blogs. I have my usual suspects over there to the right, but there’s an extensive list at Go Into The Story (particularly the Friends column), and I’m going to see if there are any others worth my time.  Any suggestions?