STUDIO COVERAGE / Script Analysis. Should I spend the money?

SCRIPTER

SCRIPTER

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Question # 3 of 3

Studio Coverage. I know what it is. I'm told I need this service - but $500.00? We're talking emptying the Christmas Savings Account here.

I found one service online for $189.00 but three weeks, three emails and one snail mail later, all I've gotten in response to my
questions is an auto-reply email about how important my email is to them and how they will be in touch as soon as possible.

Can anyone recommend a reliable, reasonably priced service?
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* Everyone on my Christmas gift list thanks you!
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First off, do you want 'coverage' or 'development notes'. Because the first is what the industry use to gauge your work (good for company but not you) the second is what you need if you want to elevate your work to the next level.

Thing is, the internet is a great tool for research (and finding people who do this service). It's best to research them, and get other users opinions before you shell out big bucks.

Go over to www.donedealpro.com and click forums and then scroll down to SCRIPT SERVICES, there you'll find lots of 'searchable' content about coverage/development notes.

BTW, I wouldn't go with this company from what you've described of them thus far.

EJ
 
There are many frustrated screenwriters who are trying to turn a buck by offering their services as script consultants. Caveat emptor.

If you really want a script consultant who knows what they're doing, I recommend Craig Kellem at www.hollywoodscript.com.
 
Don't waste your money on this. Jesus.

If you want feedback go to zoetrope, there are Nichol fellows there, ivy leaguers, even produced writers, studio readers, all types of characters.

Really, what you should do is just keep writing. Hone your skills, you'll get better and you'll know that you're getting better and won't need some hack telling you what he or she thinks your script lacks.
 
What you SHOULD DO is get involved in a group of writers where you trade scripts for reviews and exchange 'freebies' with each other, that way you save your $$$.

brian, I don't understand your negative feelings towards story analyists. If someone has something wrong with their body, they go to the docs. Why not a writer to a story consultant?

Both provide a service that 'fixes' things (and both can be researched online or referred thru someone).

EJ
 
EJ Pennypacker said:
What you SHOULD DO is get involved in a group of writers where you trade scripts for reviews and exchange 'freebies' with each other, that way you save your $$$.

EJ
Click to expand...

The problem with this, it seems to me, is that any advice you get from such a group is only as good as the person who gives it. If the group is filled with highly skilled, experienced professionals who have been successful in getting their scripts produced in Hollywood, then great. If not...

Writers are artists. I keep trying to imagine a painter asking a group of other painters what he/she should do to make their painting better. :)
 
David,

No doubt if you're asking the wrong people you'll get wrong advice. The trick is to get with a group that accept newbies. Failing that, do what everyone else does, work your way up - learning the craft.

EJ
 
chapelgrovefilms said:
The problem with this, it seems to me, is that any advice you get from such a group is only as good as the person who gives it. If the group is filled with highly skilled, experienced professionals who have been successful in getting their scripts produced in Hollywood, then great. If not...

Writers are artists. I keep trying to imagine a painter asking a group of other painters what he/she should do to make their painting better. :)
Click to expand...

Part of me agrees with this but part of me thinks a script is a literary piece that should lend itself to analysis by anyone with an eye for literature or drama. I think it's not if the person is a pro writer but rather has the person read a lot of screenplays and can he tell a good one from a bad one. There no reason this should be the exclusive purview of pro writers. In fact it couldn't be since ultimately it's not writers that greenlight scripts.
 
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