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That must be interesting in itself, the approach you took. Maybe you could post some thoughts about that process sometime. I'd be interested to see. Best of luck!
There's few things as rewarding as writing THE END on your first feature script!
Personally, I print out first drafts and mark up the bejesus out of them. I always find a ton of grammar errors when I print up a hard copy.
I don't like to make it easy on the coverage reader to gripe about that stuff. I want more story and quality control notes, etc. Approx. 85% of scripts covered get a PASS, so don't beat yourself up if that happens.
But for now, take comfort in the fact that you've reached a step few amateurs achieve. So good on you!
Regards, E.D.
LATEST NEWS CineVita Films is producing a short based on my new feature!
Well, finished for the first time anyway Just submitted it for coverage to screenplayreaders.com, fingers crosses for at least a consider!!!
Good luck.. I just used them last week, and I received a PASS. After I got over my pisstivity... I agreed with everything they said. At first I agreed with half, but after going over my screenplay and making some changes that I thought about changing before the screenplay coverage... I realize, they were right... however, they never mentioned my grammar, punctuation, dialogue, etc....
I started off with 98 pages, now I have 111. I don't plan on changing much more because I can't keep catering to everyone who may or may not like the script. But if the advice strikes a chord with me... I will re-examine it. I said I will stop when the little voice in my head quits talking to me, then I'll be finished.
"May the Fleas of a Thousand Camels Infest the Crotch of the Person Who Screws Up Your Day and May Their Arms Be Too Short to Scratch"
Pass it is That sucks, but I'm keeping that 85% in the forefront of my kind;) I admit that the whiney little girl in me is pretty annoyed that they banged it out in a day and misread a bunch of stuff (I'll own up to the misinterpretations though as me not doing my job properly) when they had up to 3 days to do it. Overall I agree with most of the comments, although I was a bit surprised that the things I thought were issues weren't even mentioned. And there wasn't one thing said about grammar or that kinda thing, so I'm happy there.
*sigh*
Oh well, I might send it to a couple of you for reads if you're interested?
Sorry for being late, but congrats. I was about to advise you that you should have posted up here so we could read and review, then rewrite, then send it to them. That's what I'm planning to do once I'm done. But don't give up. There's always rewrites.
Gabe
Just Murdered by Sean Elwood (Zombie Sean) and Gabriel Moronta (Mr. Ripley) - (Dark Comedy, Horror) All is fair in love and war. A hopeless romantic gay man resorts to bloodshed to win the coveted position of Bridesmaid. 99 pages. https://www.simplyscripts.net/cgi-bin/Blah/Blah.pl?b-comedy/m-1624410571/
Pass it is That sucks, but I'm keeping that 85% in the forefront of my kind;) I admit that the whiney little girl in me is pretty annoyed that they banged it out in a day and misread a bunch of stuff (I'll own up to the misinterpretations though as me not doing my job properly) when they had up to 3 days to do it. Overall I agree with most of the comments, although I was a bit surprised that the things I thought were issues weren't even mentioned. And there wasn't one thing said about grammar or that kinda thing, so I'm happy there.
*sigh*
Oh well, I might send it to a couple of you for reads if you're interested?
Thx guys!!
Hey, don't let that one reader get you down... at least you didn't have to sweat it out for 4 days like I did. Just give it a few days and let it sink in, and read your coverage letter again. You probably want be as upset, and you will more than likely agree with the reader a lot more....
"May the Fleas of a Thousand Camels Infest the Crotch of the Person Who Screws Up Your Day and May Their Arms Be Too Short to Scratch"
What I am going to say is counter to what you will hear from most people. It is regarding the fact that certain things were misread in your script. Of course, it's possible the writing was not clear enough. But it's worth keeping in mind that most readers, whether amateur or pro, whether doing you a favor or being paid such as with a coverage service, are going to skim through your script. So even if you write it perfectly, mistakes will be made. What really stinks is when a missed piece of information is something that throws off the whole script. The result can be the reader completely misinterpreting your story!
What's to be done? I'll tell you: underlining, capitalization, and yes, the dreaded asides.
Using a lot of these will piss off the reader and make you look like an amateur. Using these tools selectively and effectively will make you look like a pro. Don't believe me? Start reading pro scripts. They're in there.
Again...if you decide to go this route, two things: first, be very, very sparing using this stuff. And second, be prepared to get grief on it here.
Think, for example, of when you try to put subtext into your dialogue. It's a good thing. But risky when your script is being skimmed. A well placed aside might make the meaning more clear.
Go back to your script and look at the things the coverage reader confused. Could an aside have helped? Maybe some brief underlining? If so, wouldn't it have been worth it?
And, yes, I will read your script if you would like. I have one I posted Sat that you can check out when you have time!(it's not posted yet)
Sorry to hear - but as I mentioned before, my personal experience with screenplay readers was that they were *not* accurate, for the most part. I'm not dismissing the possibility that the writing could have been clearer (hey, whose script is perfect, pro or not?) But with my last script, the reader at Screenplayreaders got numerous details wrong (not just missed, but wrong.) They also failed to comment even slightly on the plot and theme itself, A or B story. In other words, an abysmal job. Which I guess is to be expected, considering that they only charge $60, and you have to figure that the company itself gets a significant cut. So what do I have to say about them? Well - don't waste your money. And don't take a pass from them all that seriously.
My recommendation? Post the script here...let us tear it apart pro bono. You won't agree with all of us - and some of the reviews will certainly be contradictory. But pick the wheat from the chaff carefully, and your script will come out all the better...
Rebecca it's worth keeping in mind that most readers, whether amateur or pro, whether doing you a favor or being paid such as with a coverage service, are going to skim through your script.
I never skim through a script. My OCD won't let me miss a single word when I read something whether it's a book, script or the bible in old Swedish. I read it cover to cover, including all the small print on who published it...and no, I'm not religious.
Sorry you got a Pass Rebekah. Probably 95% do. Use the comments to write a great new draft.
I have always thought that posting scripts here are great for finding out what needs fixing with a story because everyone will point out different things...for free too. Chin up girl!
Pia, you may not miss a thing, I believe you. But that is the exception, not the rule. Many of these people being paid to read are taking on several features a day. They miss stuff. In the script I sent for coverage, and I got a consider so I am not complaining, they got a few things strangely wrong. One thing was they thought a brother and sister in the script were incestuous. I have no idea where they got that, and no one else that read did.
I will be honest: I miss stuff, even when I'm doing it as a favor and really trying. Maybe the phone rings, or a dog barks. Whatever the reason, I can miss a small phrase, especially something sandwiched in the middle of dialogue. If it is underlined, I am more likely to absorb it. It's not even that a skip over it, I don't think, but more that the words are read but do not register.
Thanks, guys The main comments seemed to be things that are relatively easy fixes and, yes, things that I hadn't thought of, at least not consciously. They seemed to think that the structure was okay, but 'less than perfect'.
Anyway, I'll send it through to you guys for a read (whenever you have a chance amid the holiday chaos), especially you, Pia - let your OCD go crazy;)