How easy is it to get freelance work reading online script submissions for production companies? As in: emailed unsolicited scripts are forwarded to you by several companies, you read through the scripts, give your thoughts, and get paid for it. I tried getting into this a few months ago, but got discouraged after reading a very unhelpful blog article. At the time, I got a bite or two. I was just wondering if anyone had done this, heard of it, and/or had any good leads for getting work?

Thanks!

Most prodcos have people come in person to pick up scripts, even if scripts are submitted electronically. If you're going to approach any, you'd better write great coverage first so you have something to show them, usually on an unproduced script.

There are script coverage sites online, you might have luck with one of those. I just got an internship with one of them. Keep an eye on the L.A. craigslist, they regularly post online gigs.

Quoted from ReneC If you're going to approach any, you'd better write great coverage first so you have something to show them, usually on an unproduced script.

Seconded! Big time!

I went to a Sherwood Oaks event, met a producer.
Offered to do coverage for him, and things progressed from there.

Best of luck!

Regards,
E.D.

Thanks, Rene! Script coverage, eh? This is new to me.

To mine virgin eyes/ears, this sounds like creating buzz around the more popular unproduced scripts making the rounds out there. Is that a close description?

Never mind. Just started reading about it on Google. Thanks, Rene and ED!

Don'y want this to sink to the bottom just yet. Just wanted to know if anyone can get involved in script coverage? Do Producers accept coverage from people who aren't qualified or does it simply come down to how good a person's screenwriting knowledge is??

Hope those questions make sense...

Dan, from what I understand, anyone can do it, since it's typically work that's relegated to interns.

I actually did this, earlier this year.  The deal was that I would provide coverage (for free) on a few scripts and then I would submit mine.  After a while, I grew suspicious that these people were charging the writers for my coverage.  When I approached them about it, they disappeared.


Phil

http://www.networkisa.org/writing-gig.php?id=893

Doesn't this say it all in terms of employing qualified writers for a pittance. Makes my blood boil.

$15 per script!

And, good luck with the quality of Coverage you get.

P.S. I should clarify that this is not reading for a ProdCo. but for a company offering coverage for script comps.

Quoted from LC http://www.networkisa.org/writing-gig.php?id=893 Doesn't this say it all in terms of employing qualified writers for a pittance. Makes my blood boil. $15 per script! And, good luck with the quality of Coverage you get. P.S. I should clarify that this is not reading for a ProdCo. but for a company offering coverage for script comps.

Yeah I've seen that before. The comps are terrible. Especially the ones offering extra feedback for more money. Most of the readers are grammar-inept, the last book they read was Pinocchio and they have the nerve to tell you how you should be writing. That's why I'm put off most comps now. Unless they're free, or genuinely read by real producers and agents.

My main gripe is that they would dare offer $15 per script. It would take a minimum three hours to read a feature length script and then write coverage - minimum , if you know what you're doing, and you're fast. This equates to $5 per hour, less if you take longer.

I think the only conclusion to draw, despite them stipulating experience and credentials, is that surely only students, those not really qualified, and those desperate for money, would take them up on the offer.

I've only started looking into Comps recently, and I'm only interested in the well known/reputable ones like Bluecat, Page, (Nichol - when I'm ready to enter a feature length) and a couple of others like the LA Comedy Fest which I was successful with and btw they didn't even offer Coverage. I haven't paid Coverage as an extra for any Comps I've entered, and I don't intend to. I know if a script is bad, I generally know where it needs work, and anything I'm too close to I believe I can get the equivalent in Coverage via feedback from those who know their stuff, right here.