Script coverage is a great way to get an objective eye on your screenwriting. But it’s not easy to openly accept criticism of your hard work, regardless of how constructive that feedback may be. Likewise, it’s hard to know which suggestions to take on and which you should ignore. In this article, you’ll find 8 strategic techniques to optimize your script coverage journey and ensure your script makes it into the hands of the right people.
Undoubtedly, writing a screenplay is hard work. Likewise, it’s never easy to hear negative or challenging comments about something you’ve toiled away at for a long time. We understand. However, the right script coverage review can provide the invaluable insights that can take your writing to the next level.
Table of Contents
- 1- USE A TRUSTED SCRIPT COVERAGE SERVICE
- 2- ASK FOR VERY SPECIFIC FEEDBACK
- 3- BE OPEN TO A FRESH PERSPECTIVE
- 4- TRUST YOUR GUT
- 5- USE A VARIETY OF SCRIPT COVERAGE SERVICES
- 6- TRY WRITING SCRIPT COVERAGE ON A DIFFERENT SCRIPT
- 7- CONSIDER THE WEIRDEST TURN THE STORY COULD TAKE?
- 8- GET INSIGHT INTO THE SUBTEXT
- CONCLUSION
1- USE A TRUSTED SCRIPT COVERAGE SERVICE
While you cousin will happily (or begrudgingly) read you script for free and give you feedback, they aren’t an expert at script coverage. Since you have spent so much time writing, it’s worth now investing in getting a professional’s advice. Script readers are surprisingly cost effective, but make sure you work with a trusted service.
2- ASK FOR VERY SPECIFIC FEEDBACK
You’re paying for the script coverage, so make sure you get exactly what you need by asking specific questions. Ask your readers to comment on specific plot points and dialogue, rather than providing blanket responses. Since doing this can help focus the feedback you receive on areas that require more attention, it allows you to prioritize revisions better. But don’t be afraid to ask for your script coverage person to bring up anything that jumps out at them that you may not have considered.
3- BE OPEN TO A FRESH PERSPECTIVE
Script coverage is an invaluable service for any screenwriter seeking specific feedback on their piece. But, often we’re too close to our own stories to see the glaring holes or issues. In this case, getting a fresh perspective from an outside reader can be extremely helpful. Ask your readers to comment on the story’s overall concept and marketability, such as its genre and target audience demographic. Sure, you may think you know these details, but there may be a story archetype you have unknowingly been inspired by. If nothing else, getting a clearer understanding of these factors can help you steer your script in the right direction.
4- TRUST YOUR GUT
While the opinions of script coverage experts can be valuable, you should always trust your own instincts when it comes to choosing what feedback to incorporate. After all, it’s your story and only you know exactly how it needs to be told. Script coverage is but one of the available tools for improving your screenplay, so never lose sight of why you are telling this story in the first place. But, if a piece of feedback is triggering a strong emotional response (or being repeated by many readers) it is time to ask yourself if there is a valid reason. Be stubborn and single-minded in your art, sure, just don’t be blind to obvious issues that might be an insurmountable obstacle preventing your script getting made.
5- USE A VARIETY OF SCRIPT COVERAGE SERVICES
Every script coverage expert is different, so it’s important to take advantage of the variety of services that are available. When researching script coverage companies, look for any differences in their approach and specialties, as well as different ratings systems. Once you’ve identified a few good options, order similar types of coverage from each service to get a rounded array of feedback before making your final decisions.
6- TRY WRITING SCRIPT COVERAGE ON A DIFFERENT SCRIPT
While it’s not directly going to help your script at first, try learning how to do script coverage yourself. This is helpful because it makes you look at storytelling from a more objective angle. And, by having a working knowledge of how script coverage works you are much less likely to take feedback personally.
7- CONSIDER THE WEIRDEST TURN THE STORY COULD TAKE?
While you might not get specific ideas or advice from a script coverage expert, it can be useful to take their feedback and use it to challenge yourself. Be weird. If your script reader is finding an aspect of your story boring or confusing, try and think of the weirdest and most unexpected plot twist or change. For example: what if your main character turned out to be a human-fish hybrid? It was that type of creative ‘what if?’ thinking that helped make the Australian cult film Love Serenade so beautiful and strange.
8- GET INSIGHT INTO THE SUBTEXT
Since subtext is the most difficult, yet arguably the most important part of screenplay writing, you need to be sure the reader is getting it. But on the other hand, you may have the opposite problem, whereby the subtext is too ‘on the nose’. Make sure you have a clear understanding of what the subtext is and why it is important to your story before you begin the script coverage journey.
CONCLUSION
There are a few key things to keep in mind when it comes to script coverage. First, it is important to remember that script coverage is not a definitive judgment of your script’s quality. It is simply a useful tool for identifying areas in need of improvement. Second, it is important to keep an open mind when reading script coverage, and to consider the feedback provided in the context of the overall project. Don’t let your emotions hinder your ability to learn and grow. Finally, it is important to remember that script coverage is just one part of the development process. Scripts change, all the way up until the edit is locked, so you need to be malleable as well as staying true to your vision.
NEED MORE THAN JUST SCRIPT COVERAGE?
Interested in help crafting a dynamic pitch deck or director’s treatment? The Collective Pitch is a boutique creative agency. We collaborate with filmmakers from around the world to help bring their ideas to life. While we don’t specialize in script coverage per se, we can ghostwrite for you as well as cut together a mood reel. In addition to insightful script coverage, this is a great way to sell your project to studios and production companies.
Our talented team includes writers, designers, researchers, and editors. Since we happily work to extremely tight deadlines and across time zones, we can turn around projects quickly. We pride ourselves on working to a high quality as well as being easy to work with. Likewise, we love helping filmmakers pitch their TV projects to studios and streaming services by designing beautiful show bibles. Get in touch today and book our talent directly on our site.
Meanwhile, enjoy our other articles and blog posts. Have a look at our portfolio examples too. We love crafting dazzling director’s treatments. Likewise, if you are an amazing writer, we might be interested in representing you as a ghostwriter. If that sounds like you, go to the contact page and make an inquiry.