Screenwriting : Black List Evaluation Scores – Worth Getting a Third? by Sophia Celebi

From my experience, I was wholly disappointed with my feedback from The Black List. It was "3 pages" but really just a paragraph per page from a reader who didn't sound engaged and just threw a few things together to check off the review as done.

Personally, I haven't gone back to their feedback for this reason. Other sites and even some contents have given much, much better note and feedback.

Can you recommend any other sites? I'm just starting out and feel like I'm walking in the dark.

Check out "Script Coverage" right here on S32, it's in the "Script Services" tab. From my experience, the "LA International Screenplay Awards" also gave me some good feedback.

ScreenCraft also has many contests with feedback options.

There's always a chance with anything. That's the problem. Aspiring writers take the fact there's even just the slimmest chance and use it as a green light to effectively gamble via various services, competitions being the most common.

Communities make out that placing in a certain comp or getting a certain BL score unlocks this magic door. They set unrealistic expectations because they believe they can shortcut the grind the patience it takes most people to break in. This misleads other writers and this cult-like belief is built that they will be the one who strikes it lucky.

Sanity is slowly working your way inwards and upwards by starting at the bottom. For those that actually tend to break in, that means focusing on things like writing shorts for students and building relationships with low budget indie filmmakers.

A lot of these things aren't really effective in terms of honing craft either. They are sometimes better than peer feedback, but, again, you're just asking randoms for an opinion. They don't know your vision. They aren't going to explain all the thinking behind their views.

People end up confused, going in circles, and trapped in a sunken cost fallacy, all while failing to develop any actual craft skills, gain experience, or find direction. I've watched so many people waste years chasing shortcuts. For every entry free spent it could have been a book or webinar. For every evaluation bought it could have been detailed feedback from a known entity. All that time spent waiting around for the results could have been spent reaching out and making new connections.

Stuff like this is what you do in addition to proper networking and craft development with money you can afford to throw away and with the understanding you'll hopefully walk away with some validation and self-confidence and little more.

I myself seeing dark wherever I see for now. Just checking all website and apps who can really get into it and present scripts. Rejection is total different but atleast someone should check and give us a lead

CJ Walley

Thanks for your response. I understand you're right. And I’m not chasing instant fame (though it’d be nice

I also write short scripts and share them with film students. But so far, I feel like a bride from an old joke — everyone’s trying me out , saying nice things, but no one’s marrying me

That's normal. Turning your art into a career is indeed just like dating. The key is to be authentic, be patient, and wait for alignment with the right person.

Thanks Mr. Walley. Wisdom from someone that has made a great career.

What is your goal and how will getting reviews help you achieve your goal?

My goal, like most writers, is to get my work into the right hands. I want to see it on screen, I want to earn money. And I truly believe in my script.

My experience with Blacklist has been polarizing. A script was rated a 9 and simultaneously a 5... It was featured as a top comedy script and downloaded a bunch by "industry members". But nothing materialized. Another was rated an 8 and a 4. Another script was rated a 6 and 7, and got me a Zoom meeting with a producer from Zero Gravity. But nothing materialized. I don't think a third review or hosting is worth it unless you achieve a higher score. IMHO.

That has long been TBL's M.O.: start with a middling-high score, chased by a low score that drags the average down, all to get the writer to pay for more evals in the hope of dragging the average above the magic 8.0 threshold. Ho hum. Gave up on TBL long ago, money spent and wiser to the pay-to-play racket.

Sophia Celebi can you be more specific? When I say goal I mean what do you intend to happen with that script. "Right hands" whose hands? "See it on screen" what format? I think you might want to think about who you plan to pitch this to and network to find people that can give you honest feedback to stage you for success.

Desiree Middleton, thank you for your question.I do know my goal — and it’s a bold one. I want to see my film on Amazon or Netflix. And I swear to God, it’s better than some of the scripts already streaming there.

But knowing the goal doesn’t mean I see the path. I feel like a blind kitten.

When I ask more experienced people how to get in, they say, “We started from the bottom. We crawled through mud. Now you do the same.”

Maybe that’s fair. Maybe it’s not. But here I am — still writing, still believing, still knocking. Because that’s what we do, right?

That’s a really good (and common!) question — and honestly, it’s one most writers on The Black List eventually face.

Getting one 6–7 and then a 3–4 doesn’t necessarily mean your script got worse — it usually means your readers had very different tastes or expectations. Coverage on The Black List can be hit or miss depending on who’s reading; some readers respond to tone or genre differently, and the scoring isn’t always consistent.

Ordering a third review can make sense only if:

You’ve done meaningful rewrites since the last evaluation, or You suspect the low score came from a mismatch (for example, a reader who just wasn’t your audience).

If the script still feels strong and you’re confident in it, you could take that chance — but if you’re not sure, it might be wiser to seek peer notes or professional coverage elsewhere first, make adjustments, and then go for another Black List review.

And yes — it’s true that an 8 or higher gets you visibility. Scripts that reach that threshold are often featured in The Black List’s weekly industry email, which goes out to managers, agents, and producers. That’s when eyes start landing on your work.

Bottom line: don’t let the inconsistency discourage you. Use it as data, not a verdict. If two readers saw it completely differently, it’s likely you’re close — you just need to clarify tone, pacing, or genre expectations so it lands more consistently.

Can I ask — what genre is your script? Sometimes that makes a huge difference in how The Black List readers score it.

Asia Almerico Thank you so much for your thoughtful reply. Your opinion really means a lot to me.

My script is a blend of psychological thriller and horror.

You can enjoy that crawl through the mud. One the most powerful things you can do for your own mental health is let go of expectation. That doesn't mean killing the dream. It just means also learning the love the journey. I wish I'd enjoyed the six or so years it took me to break in more. I'm making sure to love making small indie films now.

Film is sadly linked more to glamour, fame, and fortune than it is to expression and fulfilment. The writers who are truly winning are the ones who find joy in the process, regardless of the outcome.

I was there over a decade ago, living or dying based on BL scores. I wasted so much money making myself miserable and killing my self belief. I wish I could go back and say, "dude, chill the fuck out, learn the craft, hone your voice, network authentically, and be patient while you get on with life".

CJ Walley I completely agree with you. But for me, it’s not a matter of live or die — I genuinely love writing, and I won’t stop doing it, even if I never get the chance to break through. Still, I do want to try. I want to be heard

A third review can make sense if your script is close to hitting that 8 and you’re getting consistent, actionable notes. But if the feedback is all over the place, it might be better to pause, workshop it with trusted peers, and then circle back. Your passion for writing really shines through here.

I genuinely listened to the first edits and revised the text, but received a lower rating than the previous one. I'm not complaining; perhaps it's fair, and I'm not looking at my work objectively. That's possible. I'm just wondering if there's any point in taking a third rating if it's just business.

Sophia, it is just personal opinion. Subjective. Maybe your second reviewer had a headache.

If you did well with the first one, maybe that reviewer's suggested revisions made it worse?

Too many cooks spoil the broth.

Worst thing you can do is start editing a script based on one person's feedback and expect the next person to think it's better.

It's an important lesson in the arts though. Everything is subject and opinions vary wildly.

I'll give it a read if you like.

Maybe others won't agree - but personally, I do NOT like the idea of posting one of my scripts on a site for anyone to read without knowing who is looking at it. Seems like an invitation for material to get stolen.

How much dfo they cost?

I’ve been following this thread, and I just want to say how much I admire your persistence and passion for your script. I completely relate to the frustration of inconsistent feedback — I’ve seen it firsthand in the industry, and it can feel like you’re spinning your wheels.

A third review can make sense if your script is close to that 8 and you’re getting notes that are actionable and consistent. Otherwise, it might be more useful to workshop your script with trusted peers, make adjustments, and then consider another evaluation. It’s easy to get caught up in chasing scores, but your drive and dedication to being heard is what really matters.

Also, I’m curious — psychological thriller and horror can be tricky genres for consistent scoring. Have you considered pairing peer workshops with targeted pitch sessions for genre-specific producers or indie filmmakers? That can sometimes be more effective than another random BL score.

Keep writing and sharing your voice. That persistence is how breakthroughs happen.

Майкл РивзThank you so much for your encouragement — it really means a lot to me.

The idea of a peer workshop is excellent. I’m fairly new to this — do you know if there are peer workshops like that on Stage 32 or similar platforms?

Lawrence Hughes Stern You might be right — but personally, I don’t want to live in fear and keep my scripts locked away in a drawer, afraid someone might steal my “brilliant idea.” I’d rather take the risk and share my work than never be seen at all.

Jed Power

Placing a feature script for visibility costs $30 per month.

Ordering a professional reader evaluation (coverage) is $100.