I tried searching for other threads highlighting this point, but after (2 minutes of) exhaustive searching, I decided to just start a new thread and hope that if anybody knows of any others, please point the way for me.


I've seen a lot of referencing to coverage, recently, and I was just wondering what everybody's thoughts on it were.

I haven't begun any research into coverage whatsoever besides looking up a few sites that offer screenplay coverage online and reviewing them.  I got to say, though.  Right off the bat, it looks like a scam to me.

Again, though, I haven't done any proper research on it, yet.  That's just my hypothesis.

Anybody have any views or experience with screenplay coverage they'd like to share?

A fairly detailed discussion here, Mark:

http://www.simplyscripts.net/cgi-bin/Blah/Blah.pl?b-Chat/m-1313066726

I do think some of your stuff is right on the bubble, and some good coverage might really serve you well.

Hope you get a decent reader and best of luck with it.

I think whether you use coverage and which one you use depends on what you are using it for, Mark. I've used it once, and I'll discuss in a second.

One reason to use coverage seems to be that without it, it's a lot harder to get an agent or industry pro to read your script. If someone sends them a script with a note listing the coverage the script has, they're much more likely to take a look, because they know the script has been vetted. As long as the script got a 'consider' or a  'recommend' anyway.

The other reason is to get insight into your script. Is that insight better than you get here? You get what you pay for, is my guess, but yes, you can get different insight.

I used the cheap service that most people here have been using, Screenplay Readers I think they're called. $60. I did get a consider, so in theory, that could help me get a read(I have not tried). The insights had some value. They did a reasonably good job hitting the main strength and weaknesses of my script, I would say they did better than most of the casual reads I received.

There was an "incident" however. The reader's notes gave me reason to suspect that he was not familiar with the United States. Which is fine, but if the service is outsourcing I think that should be indicated. Why did I suspect that? There were a few reasons. For example, the reader seemed to think a town mayor was an employee of the federal government. No one who lives in the US would make that mistake.

What I don't know is this: when an agent or industry type is using coverage as a determining factor in accepting or reading a script, does it matter who does the coverage? Someone more experienced needs to help answer. Maybe message Babz.

As far as getting insight on your script, I think you're much better off getting insight from a source where the reader has industry experience. I intend on doing that with my current script. The service was referred here by Anthony. About $230 if I recall.

There is also a slight difference between coverage and script consultation, and the prices can be a little different. Again, it depends on your priority. I think good coverage works like a consultation anyway, since it gives you ideas what to fix.

Carson Reeves offers script consultation too, for about $150 and a two week turn around. I haven't used, but based on his script blog reviews, it might be worth it.

A few general points since (a) this has been discussed to death and (b) Kevin brought up the referral I gave him.

Craig Kellem, the creator in Charles in Charge and a member of the SNL production team back in the day, now does script coverage. More like a one on one, where he'll read it, give you notes in the margins, then schedule a call with you.

I'd say this is more for a polish as Craig doesn't really give the formal report that one of the services would. So if you have something of value that's in first draft form, he's your man.

If it's gone through several iterations? Then use one of the more formal services, but caveat emptor. You get what you pay for. I spent $75 on an "introductory special" (that's still going on, btw - you can't tell me they keep records and they would charge me more the 2nd time I used them) and the reader was practically illiterate and missed key story facts.

I've had great success with my Script Savvy coverage. I've used them twice, and I can tell you from personal experience that the gatekeeper at the agency, prodco, distributor, whatever, will read your script, and if they like it, they bring it to the money people - who will only read the coverage, along with getting the pitch from the reader of course.

Script Savvy is under new management so I can't vouch for them anymore. Try finding someone who's entered under the new regime. If not them, I've heard Script Shark is cutting edge and trendy and extremely difficult to get a consider from...

Hope this helps -

Anthony

I 've heard alot of good things about scriptgal.  I'll know more soon.


http://www.scriptgal.com/

Ghostie

Quoted from ghost and_ghostie gal I 've heard alot of good things about scriptgal.  I'll know more soon. http://www.scriptgal.com/ Ghostie

Ghostie, Wow! Those are some nice quotes from some recent successful writers.
Great find! How did you come across this one? Never heard of her.
Did you send her a a script for notes?
If so, please keep us posted!

Regards,
E.D.

Janet used Script Readers not too long ago.  She was very unhappy with it.  She sent a script in and received a 'consider' along with suggestions.  She made changes, based on the coverage, in her script and resubmitted.  She received a pass the second time around.


Phil

Quoted from Electric Dreamer Ghostie, Wow! Those are some nice quotes from some recent successful writers. Great find! How did you come across this one? Never heard of her. Did you send her a a script for notes? If so, please keep us posted!

By accident... she's a regular over on Done Deal Pro.  And I just happen to be reading one of her post a few weeks back.  She has it listed in her signature.  I checked it out and liked what I saw.  I was going to settle for screenplay readers, but opted for her.

So will see.  I'll probably post some of her notes.

Ghostie

Quoted from rc1107 I tried searching for other threads highlighting this point, but after (2 minutes of) exhaustive searching, I decided to just start a new thread and hope that if anybody knows of any others, please point the way for me. I've seen a lot of referencing to coverage, recently, and I was just wondering what everybody's thoughts on it were. I haven't begun any research into coverage whatsoever besides looking up a few sites that offer screenplay coverage online and reviewing them.  I got to say, though.  Right off the bat, it looks like a scam to me. Again, though, I haven't done any proper research on it, yet.  That's just my hypothesis. Anybody have any views or experience with screenplay coverage they'd like to share?

I plan on using this company within a couple of months.  I'm also spending the extra $59 for the Mark up and Editing Service too.

http://www.coverageink.com/

My opinion is this:

A new sucker is born every minute. I think some of the best criticism I can get comes right here on Simply-- for free. Now wait...

That's NOT to say coverage is never warranted. It is! But only...

Only when you've reached the point where your skill is such that it will definitely make a difference. Then again, maybe...

One could argue: "If your skill is "as such" as Sandra just mentioned, maybe you don't need the godamn coverage to begin with." And you might be right.

I think this:

If you think spending $200 or $60 or $1000 is going to make your script la wonderful, then maybe you're right and maybe you're wrong, but I don't think (me personally not you necessarily)  we've got the right mind set when we think that way because we lose the fire in pursuit of a "dream illusion".

The best times I've had is when I've let go of caring about any of that and just tended to the business of being. I think with the obsession of coverage and all the gloss, we're reaching for a golden carrot that will ultimately lead to emptiness. You can't eat golden carrots and no one "really" benefits from their production. Golden carrots-- food for thought.  

Sandra

Here is the problem I have with coverage:
This will be a huge generalization, but most industry readers are wannabe screenwriters. They will dig into a script and find a reason to hate it. They will have their own opinions on how it should be done, as if they would be "discovered" for their insight.

I guess this applies more to readers who do coverage for agencies or studios, so it might be different in the case of paid coverage.

I had coverage done on two of my earlier feature scripts.  The man who did it, did an amazing job, writing about twenty pages of notes on each script.  Did I agree with everything he said?  No.  Did he open my eyes on problems I hadn't noticed?  Yes!

YMMV when it comes to coverage.  That's all I can say at this time.


Phil