I Don't Understand

It's been very frustrating lately.  Written words that seem to so clearly represent what goes on in my head are completely confusing to my professor/editor -- who is several decades my senior.  Normally I welcome his criticism because it is concise, direct, and often humorous in a sort of cranky old-man sorta' way.  It often frustrates, but not in a way that is frustrating.

This most recent article and most recent go around has been frustrating - very frustrating.  Not because of its usual reasons, but because there appears to be a generational gap that is masking an aesthetic flaw in the play: it's a bad play.  The subject matter about the play I'm analyzing is not profound; in fact, it's maudlin.  It's about parents who can't engage their kids, and kids who would rather play video games than play ball games.  It's about the cliches of life - but wrapped in a very fun video-game package.  The only reason to see this play is because of its stage craft, not because of the play itself.

The play itself is dull.  It is the video game that makes the play interesting, so analyzing the play is difficult - because my analysis has to also be an advertisement.  I can't say: "Hey!  It's a shitty play, but a great show!" 

No.

I have to be creative.  Creatively inspiring about a deficient piece of work.  Grand.  I'm on my fourth draft and my last nerve.  Beyond the perils of the spin I have to create, there's also the gross lack of communication in the department.  I was charged with introducing the audience to the world of MMORPGs - massively multiplayer online role-playing games - and that introduction is now nowhere to be found in the article.  In fact, I think it confused my professor when he saw me reference it.

So ... now I begin.  Notes came in just after midnight this morning - and twelve hours later I'm digging in.

Grand.