Screenwriting : Feature Script Read (paid) by Johan Michaels

Hey, Johan Michaels. I've paid for script coverage to have my scripts looked at by industry professionals. The feedback was worth it. It's been a while though. I usually have a group of trusted readers give me feedback, but I'm going to get Stage 32 feedback on my two feature scripts when I finish them.

I have worked as a professional script analyst for many years (in addition to being a repped writer in my own right). We offer very insightful, practical feedback - not sugarcoated or generalized comments from contests. I've been pleased to meet many other writers on here - as they have sought my coverage services and we've had great results with their projects :)

I have gotten feedback from contests (mostly hit, sometimes miss), the Black List (surprisingly disappointing), and here on S32 which was quite actionable. It's been a while since I last paid for feedback but for 3 years I regularly got paid notes and treated it as part of one long course where I learn and I can't say it hasn't improved my writing.

I've paid for coverage through Stage32 for several of my scripts, and the feedback was helpful every time. :)

had a scriptread and got ni feedback from who I ask for,ended up with someone else,wouldn't pay for it ever again

If you're going to pay for feedback you need to consider the following:

1) What is your end goal, really? Is it to get validation? Find direction? Build craft? Just get an opinion? Hope they like it so much they pass it on to somebody? A lot of people get feedback as an indirect result of trying to get exposure. That's a messy combination of needs. Many just want an attaboy, which might be possible through better self motivation. Some want to hone their craft, but feedback is a really ineffective way to do that.

2) With the above in mind, you need to find someone who can deliver on the above. That means knowing their name, their credentials, and what they are into. A wavelength match is ideal, but the person should at least appreciate your vision, even if it's not their thing.

3) It's still mostly subjective. People right at the top still get it wrong. I know producers who made some of the biggest films of the 20th century who are in love with scripts I think are hot garbage.

Lawrence Hughes Stern thank you for your response. I do not need sugarcoating in the least. I’m sure many of us think our scripts would translate into fantastic films, and before I dive deeper into adapting more of my own novels, I’d like to focus on the best story I’ve written. That one has been entered into a competition here, so I’m at a wait-and-see moment right now. Doing the huge amount of legwork for a novel made the adaptation much easier, and grounded the script through world-building and character development that I don’t think I would have been able to achieve by writing a screenplay from scratch.

CJ Walley this is fantastic advice, thank you!

I paid for coverage through Stage32 and ISA. Both were valuable for different reasons.

You also get what you pay for. ISA was expensive but so worth it. Thanks to some of the actionable feedback, that particular script was picked up and goes into production late next spring (2026).

“I’ve been wondering the same thing, Johan. It seems like coverage can either be a real investment or a total waste depending on who’s behind it. Thanks for raising this—I’m following closely.”

This was in my email. from Substack, the Ankler.

‘Run It Through GPT-5’: The Phrase Changing Hollywood Overnight

Showrunners, writers, producers & marketing jumped on OpenAI’s update. Industry jobs will never recover...Erik Barmack, Oct 7,2025

My take on this article is Hollywood Money has dried up, and the only risk the Studios will take is on a perfect script that passes their AI test. I'm betting that if they revise the script, they will run it through the AI test again and again.

Hell, maybe even the money angels are demanding that any scripts they consider are AI tested?

We creatives can gamble, waste funds, adapt, and not one of our stories will get made, or any one of us can set a course, take your imperfect story, and make your own film. No matter how bad your film is, it is an expression of you, your art. You can do whatever you want with your film from there.

Johan Michaels my pleasure - and message me if any questions! Best, Lawrence

Jay, I agree AI will never replace great storytellers. I have tried to listen and understand GenX, Z, and most others who stayed home during the Pandemic. There was a shift from "picking and choosing" to "just consuming content to keep busy," so now "the money" is pushing whatever content they can readily move. Having a script ready to go is what "the money angels" have always looked for..., and maybe all but the Art Houses will likely run our scripts (yours, mine, and everyone's) through AI, and maybe provide those AI notes, as if they were their own notes.

I have and it's been SOOOO helpful here on Stage32.

Michael Fitzer, MFA good to know, and congrats!

Jay, so how are AI notes? Were they numb with diminishing returns, credulous, and/or off point?