There are hundreds maybe thousands, of Screenplay Analysis, Scripts Doctors, Scriptwriting Coaches, and Screenplay Consultants. Some these will try and sell you on reinventing the wheel, (the three act structure) as a hook. Very few are comprehensive, and most create the need for several trips to the doctor. Then there is the proofreader, whose skills are often underestimated, but who stands as a crucial element in the success of any screenplay or manuscript. I received some good advice from a person who analysis, consults, and proofreads. “Finding the right person to work with is important. I say "work with" because you (the writer) must take an active role in the process. Don’t ask that loaded question “What do you think?” Let the editor know what it is you’re looking for and what impact you’re trying to make with your story. Sometimes the story you set out to write drifts off course, and too many times we just don’t see it. It’s also important to let whomever you work with know that you would like that person to explain and develop the "why" behind the criticism, and that you want ideas on how to proceed, in favour of the textbook criticism that can be used on all stories. When you do get feedback, give it time to set in. It can hurt at times. Sometimes it will crush you. Don’t let it; think about it, but always trust your inner voice. Once you find the right person, everything else just falls into place.” This is what hit home with me in the above advice: “the textbook criticism that can be used on all stories.” I sometimes wonder how script doctors would treat the script for “Chinatown?” How many of you have drifted around, trying to find the right person? And what would you like a coach, analyst, doctor, or consultant to cover?
Screenwriting : Finding the right set of eyes. by David Dinning
Other topics in Screenwriting:
Check out Trending Discussions
Register / Log In
1 person likes this
I haven't the first clue in how to even find anyone? Not only that, the costs are an issue as well. Is it worth it to spend $250-$500 for someone to give a vague coverage that doesn't do much more than point out typos, grammatical errors and give you just enough critique to keep you coming back to pay for more coverage. Even some of the cheaper ones (less than $100) you don't have the first clue about the readers or their qualifications. Why should I pay for someone that may not know any more than I do about screenwriting? The other thing that bugs me is that when I do research credentials, either there is little to none or it's been years since they were last produced. I'm not sure if that's worth forking out any money. I can't count the number of bad experiences I've read about. That's not counting another portion of folks who say we're getting ripped off and we can do just as well by participating in contests and sending out query letters without paying out the nose. It's all rather confusing and frankly overwhelming. Anyway, I apologize for stepping on your thread. I wasn't intending to hijack it. This has been a frustration of mine since I started looking into it and I really would like to hear opinions and recommendations.
1 person likes this
Want to get better? Read more screenplays. Write more screenplays. You are the right person. No one else can do it for you.
1 person likes this
I found mine...he was dead-on and delivered his pearls with a velvet hammer, in a most professional way.
1 person likes this
Of course, Laddie. I had no idea that one needed to read if they wanted to improve their writing. SMH.
1 person likes this
Spot on Cynthia. Everyone needs an editor of some sorts. The hard part is weeding through the mills, the mass manufactured critiques that could fit any story and offer no real insight. To find that right person, you have to stop choosing between package A, B or C, and take a more active role in the process. Find someone you can talk to before hand. I would stay away from the mills, and look for an editor; the three-act structure has been around forever. I finally got lucky and found the rights set of eyes, you can too.
1 person likes this
I have been lucky so far not to spend too much money. I think you must send your script to a proofreader before you give it to a script doctor. Yes it will cost you more but, the whole point is to give the consultant a good story that flows without distractions. How to find the right set of eyes? It's hard to go wrong with word of mouth.
Cynthia, I don't know why you felt it necessary to post a sarcastic message to me. I was responding to David's post, not yours.
My apologies, Laddie. I shouldn't have done that. I will be more careful in the future. I am very sorry.
5 people like this
Great topic, David... I have spent years if not decades rewriting and analyzing other peoples scripts. I have been a show runner for many a tv series and was always the last stop before filming. So I did what I wanted to fulfill my vision. It comes down to this. A script doctor or coverage person is Just an opinion a suggestion. Take it as that. It's just a suggestion, not the law. It's for you to consider. That's it. The reader may have, or may not have more experience than you. I have found that generally they work within a formula and if you don't meet that formula they flag it.... What would they have done with Birdman or Boyhood. I recently finished a feature comedy and decided to try a coverage person having never done so before. I sent my 130 page comedy to Tracking-Board when they offered a two coverages for a middle of the road price. I waited my three weeks. I received a detailed coverage package back with a great review. The reader got the comedy, had some problem with the length, had some character notes and suggestions etc. I got all goods and and very goods in all the categories such as story, character, dialogue etc. And I got a CONSIDER mark out of RECOMMEND, CONSIDER or PASS. I figured goods and very goods were about as good as it gets on first submit as they offered other services to get your screenplay a RECOMMEND. Oh, I see it's a business. While I was waiting the three weeks for my feedback, knowing my script was too long anyway, I honed it down to a reasonable 112 page count. Now I mentioned my career earlier because I have spend years editing others work and my own and have a great ability to lose page count and generally not structure, story or plot. It was a strength of mine. So with my new 112 script and a few of their story and structure notes added I sent my script back in, paid an extra $100 for a 3 day rush and what I got back for what was a promising screenplay a few days before was a different reader who didn't get the humor, character or story. They tore everything apart with the preaching of a college screenwriting teacher wagging a finger and saying a screenwriter shouldn't do this or a screenwriter shouldn't do that. I received a couple of goods but mostly SO-SO's and the dreaded PASS. All my very-goods had disappeared. I was shocked. I literally took some of their suggestions, reduced my page count by 18 pages and lost nothing in story, plot or character. I wrote a letter to the company asking for an explanation. After not hearing anything for a few days and marinating in my hatred for this new reader I asked for my money back. A few days later I received a letter back from the owner of Tracking-Board telling me he had reviewed the two coverages and found them the same. And it was impossible to lose 18 pages from a script and not lose something. So that's what must have happened. I asked if he had read my script and he said no. I know what I took out but pretty much defy anyone to read both scripts and know what editing I did. So bottom line, forgive me for my rambling but coverage is not a perfect science. They did me a great service by confirming that it's just someone with an opinion... And sometimes that opinion is good... And sometimes it's worthless. And this rant... Is just my opinion
1 person likes this
As I read Bruce's account it started to read like a screenplay. I was anticipating a happy ending and then, WHAM!, the agonizing, painful twist, and I felt all of his confused rage, because he's right...it's just someone's opinion. And...it IS a BUSINESS. Otherwise, if these "readers" are so good and their instincts so fine-tuned, why aren't they sitting on the terrace of a villa overlooking the (pick your sunny ocean) knocking out yet another high six-figure script of their own. Okay, my experience with a script doctor/analyst was good but my script truly needed some help so the small amount I paid was worth it to gain some insight to its shortcomings. So, timing can be important too. At some point, when that nagging guardian angel perched on my shoulder stops insinuating something is missing, weak or lacking in my script, I will probably carefully reach out again for someone's take on my work (as I often do for others) but I will filter their comments and observations in a way that allows me to grow. But thanks to Bruce, I know I won't be reaching out to Tracking-Board.