Screenwriting : Script Coverage pitfalls by James Greasley

Commenting to follow.

Thanks Kay! Great advice.

Ya gets what ya pays for. Recently, a few budget shops opened with offers of $60 coverage. There are scores of people complaining about it. They also give everyone a RECOMMEND to bring business back. As noted, honest yet encouraging "this is great, this needs work" is what to look for.

If you're not paying upwards of $125 to $175 for notes, not coverage, from firms that have been around awhile, you might as well save your money. Notes are meant to assist the writer better not only their script but their craft. Outside the studio system, coverage emulates whether the reader believes the idea is viable in the marketplace and ready to be sent upstairs to an Exec.

Consultants range from $450 to $3000. That's a whole other ballgame.

No hang ups. You wanna know, put down your money to find out how the script fares. A tip is to get a package of reads. Many firms offer 2 or 3 readers. There's a Spanish proverb, "If three people call you an ass, wear the harness." Same with reads. Most multiple reads will highlight the same problems.

Contrary to what may follow, reads outside the studio system help writers get their scripts ready for prime time.

Tony S. Can you recommend some of the third tier consultants you mentioned? I too would be willing to pay extra to receive an honest opinion.

Sure, Doug Wood is terrific. Used him several times: http://www.writewoodscreenplayconsulting.com/

The venerable she-literally-wrote-the-book Linda Seger, used her a few times:

https://www.lindaseger.com/script-consultant/

The also venerable and he-literally-wrote-the-book Dave Trottier, used him also;

https://www.keepwriting.com/tsc/scriptev.htm

Thanks Tony, I appreciate you taking the time to respond.

I personally have had many positive experiences in regards to the script coverage/ script mentor-ship I have received. Trying to get a better understanding from everyone's perspective.

Anyone going for a pitch sessions could be helpful but it is one person's opinion. I've posted mine regardless on InkTip before a registered for a pitch sessions. It does make a difference how much you value that person's opinion, but nothing is set in stone. If you recieve the same opinion on the same area I would look at that part of the script again.

Does anyone have an overly negative experiences? And how they could be avoided/remedied in the future?

Yes. A reader once wrote almost an entire page about the virtues of pro-life in a script that included an abortion. I felt, and still do, this was outside the scope of our contract for notes about story, not their personal feelings on any topic.

The firm had a set policy about refunds and did not offer re-reads. After a tooth-and-nail fight, I got my money back and never used them again.

No one has a crystal ball. Even a recommendation might not bring the same result as the person recommending. Using a credit card always offers protection in the form of reversing a charge. Two or three reads of the same script works. Done it many times.

If a reader gives you a different opinion than most others, just takes what you like from it and forget the rest. Not all readers are experts. I met a reader who was 21 and just graduated... I also received rave reviews from most readers on one script; then out of the blue one reader sends a note back that no one wants to watch a movie with current day events. I just threw that one out.

Unfortunately, in this business probably more than any other, you can't avoid "negative" experiences. Like Barbara said, you just take what you can from them and toss out the rest. Or in Tony's case, ignore it altogether and get your money back. Your job is to keep a level head, nod and smile, then thank them for their time. Try not to let any of them knock you off your game. It can be hard, but it's a valuable skill to have when trying to sell yourself.

I mostly can't figure out how close I am to a sell-able script. Readers give a lot of criticism, but don't say you're way off or you're only a few things away from a solid work. Maybe they don't even know.

As William Goldman said about Hollywood, "Nobody knows anything."

Most firms focus on marketability. Maybe you just haven't found the right outlet yet. Finding a great doctor or mechanic is similarly challenging.

Why don't writers ask other writers for feedback? This is a business of relationships. Writers take care of each other.

I probably have the most experience with negative coverage with 10 completed screenplays and no sales or agent. My experience is that the readers are of two groups. I call one the Varsity and the other Bench Warmers. There are many more bench warmers than the Varsity. The Bench Warmers will always use cliches such as "On THE NOSE DIALOGUE".

The BENCH WARMERS still are valuable in their reading assignment. You have to read between the cliches to gain insight on how the screenplay is received.

The VARSITY readers are experienced professionals without a scorecard to grade you.

The cost is something I bear to gain insight and to learn.

I have found that certain readers certainly have clear bias as what they want. For example. My screenplay "WELCOME HOME" about my small town Vietnam Veterans was harshly graded by a contest based in a country I won't say, but it lies to the North of the USA. The same screenplay had very good marks elsewhere. It's just natural bias. Hard lesson, but I have learned, try to see what contests want and send that type of screenplay to them.

I think paying for coverage guarantees some independence of judging. Not total, but some. I hate to ask friends to work for nothing as well.

Is any attention paid to posts in the Lounge? There's at lest one daily request for a read.

And because peer reviews are like asking a bartender what they think of a script. It seems an offer is on the table. We're open for business asking anyone here for notes? And they'll do it?

Getting someone to read a screenplay is tough. It's not like asking someone to read a quick joke. It's work. I wish I knew someone that didn't value their time. I'd shower them with screenplays.

This has all been incredibly helpful. As Eric put, I'm a bench warmer. I've taken many courses, read many books, even more scripts. Volunteer'd a lot of my time (still am). I am also a writer myself, I simply love the craft. As I've embarked down this journey I really want to get other writer's feedback on script coverage in general, the good the bad and the ugly. This discussion has been excellent. Loving it!

https://youtu.be/1D5PtyrewSs

Hi James,

I checked out your website and saw under the "Script Coverage" section the following description:

"This is a great for writers who know they have a great script and really only have questions on a specific section or topic."

Hmmm.....that sounds a bit...for lack of a better term..."weird" to me. If I knew my script was already great, I'd be pitching it to people who might want to option it. But isn't script coverage intended to provide several pages of feedback on the main elements of a screenplay...change suggestions...strength/weaknesses analysis...etc...etc....or did the world drastically change while I was in the shower?

Thanks, James!

DUDE READ B4 HATINGhttps://youtu.be/Qtb11P1FWnc

https://youtu.be/Qtb11P1FWnc

Hey Bill! I am currently building my site. I am not doing any active advertising. Just creating the building blocks. Truth me told the descriptions, focus, intention and services need a lot of tweaking.

You “feedback” is appreciated greatly. I have to agree to disagree. A lot of times scripts have many redeeming qualities. Yet, they may have some crucial aspects that need a lot of work. If you have a great script, then you wouldn’t be looking for coverage in the first place, so maybe that’s a moot point? I offer my coverage differently. It’s more of a back and fourth ongoing, mentoring service. Than just providing pages of review ( not that there is anything wrong with that, I’m not trying to re-invent the wheel here. Just gather information).

I will take another look at the verbiage. Im regards to what you do in the shower, you should probably keep that private. Thanks Bill!

Again, just to reiterate. Trying to determine common weaknesses, flaws. Whatever ya wanna call it. In regards to script coverages. Constructively what can be improved? What worked great?

I like the reader, to be honest, and straight forward. I always need feedback on the structure and if the plot is interesting. Comments on dialogue are always appreciated, but I have not found the great dialogue wizard yet. I'll have that vampire screenplay done pretty quick. Message me when you get set up and I'll be happy to be one of your first clients.

Thank you Eric. That information is exactly what I am looking for! Appreciate the response.

I can send you some of the feedback I've gotten from readers. It might give you an idea of what the standard format is for professional feedback. Most are from contests, where you know the feedback will be honest. They must stratify your work.

I appreciate the offer Eric. I do already have many samples from the courses I've worked through ( and mentors I've worked with.) As well as plenty of my own coverage's I've done for clients and contests. I'm also quite familiar with most of the different formats. Your feedback has been really helpful though!

Too expensive for generic notes most times. It’s like they do a sweep of the script. Instead of saying -page 35-45 you need to do a deeper dive because x,y,z. If I’m paying $100 I need to know exactly where I went wrong. Plus how to improve. I think we need more story editors versus script coverage.

I agree Vonti. That’s phenomenal feedback. What’s the point of criticism if you can’t act on it? Thanks for taking the time to respond.

Yeah, Vonti. notes, not coverage.

I mean honestly writers are already critical of themselves. We need fresh eyes that’s going to cut thru the BS. If the concept is good but writing is weak say that. But at the same time have examples to back it up. Reference pages that need work. Coverage is fine but give me some meat for my $$. Great discussion James and Tony