Hey everyone. Anyone often finds themselves asking the same friends to read their scripts, and looking for new readers? Afraid of asking someone you don't know and end up getting non-valuable feedback, or having to read in return a script you might not enjoy?
I'd like to propose a reading group, where writers bring in a few pages of their long-form work (or a complete short, or a synopsis), we all read it out loud over zoom, socialize a bit to defeat lockdown boredom, and get to know each other's work and how everyone gives feedback.
The ultimate goal is to find buddies whose feedback you value and whose work you're happy to read and exchange scripts. From that zoom reading, you'll get to know everyone's style, and understand if it's a good match without committing to buddy up with a complete stranger.
Anyone interested?
This sound like a good idea.
Not sure why people here aren't all over this.
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Bruno Catarino , as Nick Assunto - Stage 32 Script Services Coordinator points out, Stage 32 has a new Coverage Report program every other Monday, 6 PM PST, for members of the Writer's Room. The next one is Feb 15. If you're a member of the Writer's Room, contact Lit Kilpatrick to receive a link to the script we'll be reviewing and the coverage template we use. If you're not yet a member of the Writer's Room, you can get a free month's membership by emailing Jason Mirch, Director of Script Services for Stage 32, at j.mirch@stage32.com. That also lets you attend Jason's free weekly screenwriting webinars, go into the "vault" of his past free webinars, participate in Pitch Practices, and get discounts on other services.
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It's a good idea. I used to be part of one in NYC pre COVID-19 days. We would meet weekly to review pro scripts and member scripts, TV and Film. Very solid group with some amateurs and some industry folks. Learned a lot. Miss it.
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Wanna honest feedback? Give you work to a film buff rather than a film worker/wannabe. Why? Because all this hustle is to keep the audience satisfied...in the end that's what really matters...
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I would love to be part of a group reading each other's work , talking about the work - I have just about exhausted all my friends and family and they were all so loving in their feedback!! that I have had to go for paid coverage!! I think we could learn so much from each other as we are all in it together.
Good idea.
This is a great idea! Could we read our stuff individually, or assign individual characters for a table read experience?
I am definitely interested in your reading group. How could I go about joining?
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I'd be interested, if it was once a month (Saturday or Sunday) and the reading was limited - another group I'm in limits it to 10-ish pages per meeting, and each person is only required to read two others' submission. It would be a great (free) addition, instead of the Writer's Room's $40 a month!
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I had a similar idea but instead of just reading each other's scripts, I would have volunteers reading the parts. The owner would read the descriptions while the group members would pick characters and read their parts. This way you'd get a better feel for the characters and instantly be able to pick out errors. Limiting it to 10 pages would be great for this, especially for character intros.
Count me in.
Hi, Bruno Catarino! I second Nick Assunto - Stage 32 Script Services Coordinator and Martha Caprarotta. The Writers’ Room is an amazing place to get everything you’re seeking. From script coverages, pitch practices and table reads to the bonus of a ton of education. Definitely email Jason Mirch (j.mirch@stage32.com) for a free month to try it out. He’s the Director of Script Services here at Stage 32 and is super helpful.
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Hey will look into individual answers later, but in a general reply, yes the idea would be a table read among the writers coming, where we'd assign roles to each reader, one for narration, and the writer would simply listen. After the read, we give each other notes, and that's a group activity.
Additional to that, you get to meet people whose work you like, offer to read their full script for notes, and have them read yours. I'll try to organize something in a few days with the people who replied.
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Nick Assunto - Stage 32 Script Services Coordinator that sounds great and it's probably a lot more organized than what I'd set up, but the idea is to have a place to share work that costs no money. You can still complement that with paid services once you feel the script is in good shape
Hey Bruno, I'd like to be a part of your table reads.
Well, took me long enough to actually start contacting people to book this :) sorry about that, got busy with other stuff. If I haven't contacted you and you are interested, please let me know. Cheers
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I used to want feedback that people may call “technical”. But now I want feedback which is more audience type feedback. What people felt and liked.
My niece read a contained Horror/Thriller and said “it f**ks with your head”, the reaction I wanted from a 23 year old.
If the feedback was technical it would have talked about beats or twists into the second act etc... When what I wanted to know was how the target audience would feel.
I'm interested. Sounds like fun.
7 March is ok to me, 6 also.
At what hour do you want to have the meetings, It is 6 to 10 hours later in the Netherlands. Meaning 8 o clock pm could be 10 o clock am in USA. 10 pm in the weekend would be the latest for me....
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I'm in GMT, so it's +1h from where I am :) But yeah, it will be a tricky time to be able to meet with people in the US or other continents. Will try to find a time that fits everyone or at least, as many people as possible
I'd be interested in joining your proposed reading group as well. Very beneficial. Let me know when you work out a date, time, etc. I'm in EST. Thanks Bruno Catarino!
Sounds like a great idea!
7th March is good for me- I don't get it with the time lol! I am in Cyprus - same time as in Greece.
Cyprus is 1 hour later than The Netherlands, 2 hours later than England. How much later than the USA depend on 'where' in the USA.
Hi! Did it happen? Did I miss the meeting - please keep me in the loop!