Hey everybody,

Long story short, my company has been organizing Cold Read Nights in Calgary, Alberta (, Canada) -- actors show up and perform scripts 'cold' from amateur writers. It's intended to give actors a chance to work in front of an audience, and writers a chance to see how their stuff reads out loud.

We have a few spots for our event coming up this Thursday, and I'm wondering if any Simply writers want to volunteer a script. I can record and upload a video and either post it on Simply or send it privately to you, so you get a chance to see how the read goes.

We're looking for scripts of 10 - 20 pages, preferably excerpts from features (usually the first 10-20 of a feature), though potentially shorts could work. Any genre, any content, and any tone can work, though lighter stuff tends to read best. Looking for fairly polished content.

If anyone's interested, you can respond here or shoot me a PM if you'd prefer!

For reference, here is the Facebook event for our first night: https://www.facebook.com/events/811610902254607/

That sounds really interesting. Great idea. I have a feature going into production in August. Could be interesting for the actors too, maybe, to read the first 10 or whatever pages and when the film comes out, compare their interpretation of the pages to the film.

If you agree, I can easily email you the script.  :)  

Awesome idea! What about a TV pilot? The first act?

Yes on both counts!! Anything from you two, of course :)

Scripts can be sent to cnshalom (at) caliballoonfilms.com.

Folks,

This is a great opportunity here.  

- Don

Already sent one in.

Nice to have the offer availble to SS folk

I have received scripts from Pia, Breanne, and Bill, which should be great for this month's event! I will definitely come looking for more next month. Go Simply!

Sounds cool. When is the deadline? I definitely have something worthwhile...hopefully lol

I think we're pretty much set for this one, but if anyone wants to send in still, I'd be happy to give them first spots for next month!

Sorry, I gave late notice and then it filled up quick...

Oh, I wish I knew about this.  I have a series idea... and a few shorts...

Dan

Well, I've just had the pleasure to watch the cold read of the first 17 pages of a feature I co-wrote with Kevin Lenihan! That was so much fun! I kind of wish we had been able to do something like that before the last draft was sent in to the producers. This one is going to shoot in August and gee willikers I wish I could tell you who's most likely going to play the bad guy!

Anyway, it was a cold read, but I think the actors did a good job. There were a couple of misreadings of character, but I blame that on the cold read. The woman reading the steamy part didn't quite sound like a woman in her 40s seducing her husband...well, not in my mind.  :P  Other than that great fun that taught me about making things more clear. Or at least try to.

Thank you Chris for this and looking forward to watch them work Breanne's script.  8)

This is cool. I can't wait to OWN a copy of this one! Both Pia and Kevin have to sign it though!!! Good job to both of you....good teamwork!

I would've sent a bit of a script in but it just wouldn't work with Americans or Canadians.

Having an American or Canadian read the line "Yeah fam, safe innit" would be cringe.

Most of the stuff I tend to write is British drama, for the most part, Grime culture.

I hear you, but it's still valuable to see where people get the characters right or not. IMO, I realized the importance of describing a characters personality in his/her intro. Sometimes, people tell us not to write a character's personality in the intro, but rather "show" it to us via his/her actions. Well, to me, this shows why character intros are important in establishing a character's personality, tone, mood and so on.

I loved this and enjoyed seeing the actors and audience get a chuckle out of it here and there. :) 8)

Quoted from Pale Yellow ....good teamwork!

Dena....I held a gun to his head and said, make this better!!! He complied...  ;)

Big thanks to Pia, Breanne, and Bill for sending scripts in -- it was really great to have some top-notch work read. There was actually a storm the night of the read, so there was less attendance than expected, but we had a lot of fun and there was definitely an appreciative audience.

Pia, I think the woman reading the steamy part was caught a little off guard, haha. There was definitely some awkwardness in the room...exactly what we were hoping for.

Y'all can definitely expect me to bump this thread up next months looking for new ones! And I will record better sound next time :)

Thanks Chris,

I enjoyed the reading of Inner Journey.

It must be interesting to see how much the actors get into the roles. With IJ I felt the woman was more engaged and the bloke a little thrown at times, but that's the nature of a live read I suppose.

Was it you reading out the action?