Hi, folks. A group of fellow voice actors and myself are considering a new start-up that would involve recording audio presentations of scripts and screenplays, ranging from a single narrator like a typical audiobook, all the way up to a full-on old-school radio play production. This could be used simply by writers that want to hear their words off the page, or potentially for the purposes of a unique pitch. But before we start branding and marketing ourselves, I thought I'd do a quick survey here. Would any of you be interested in utilizing a service such as this? What might you use it for? How much (if anything) would you be willing to pay? Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Filmmaking / Directing : Dramatized Audio for Screenplays by Kyle McCarley
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As a producer, I find this biz model problematic because it doesn't allow for specific direction or for a director/financier/producer to cast the reading the way they want to cast it. I don't know any director who wouldn't want to cast and direct his/her own recording. It's almost like hiring a loop group to record a script. Doesn't yet make sense based on the info I have. Maybe I'm missing something. Respectfully.
Thanks for the feedback, Regina! The idea would be to use it as a development and/or pitching tool only; not as a finished product. So probably not something a financier would likely have much use for. More for writers who want to hear their words aloud from professional actors, or people seeking a financier or producer. The loop group comparison isn't terribly far off, but you'd likely get a significant discount going with us since it wouldn't be something that would ever be released to the public and we therefore wouldn't need to charge union rates. We'd also offer an option for music and sound effects to be included, which I believe would require hiring somebody else on top of the loop group. If that still doesn't sound appealing to you, I completely understand; that's kind of the reason I posted this here. A couple producers have mentioned to us in the past that they'd like to be able to listen to scripts they're reviewing, either because they get tired of reading themselves or they find themselves commuting a lot and don't have the time for it. So we came up with this concept, and I thought I'd throw it out there and see if it might be a service other folks could find a use for. If that answer's no, maybe it's not something we'll pursue quite so aggressively. Thanks again!
Don't bank on my two cents. I'm sure others will have very different opinions. For me, the lack of control over direction/interpretation/casting is problematic, and I wouldn't want to come out of pocket when my team wouldn't have an obvious, practical way to maintain creative control.
Definitely something worth considering if and when we move forward with it. Thanks again!
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I respectfully disagree! It is more like a fully enhanced table-read which is crucial for discovering what does and doesn’t work, and then a professionally recorded in broadcast quality for the “final draft” ready to disseminate. I currently am doing this for my award-winning screenplay “Wearing of the Green” and am available to other screenwriters who want me to produce the same thing for them. I think it’s an invaluable writing tool before having your 1-shot chance at hooking your audience,,,. Just my humble opinion.
Putting a book into action, with actors takes a lot of time, concentration and patience. Good cámaras, light and more.
Rachel Paul: I agree with your opinion. This service would be a valuable tool to screenwriters to take in the dynamics of an "enhanced table-read," which gives the screenwriter a more diverse perspective of their material. I see a fruitful and positive application for this service in preparing to release one's screenplay to industry professionals. Kyle McCarley: Good luck with this endeavor, moving forward!
Hi Kyle. Improvers often triumph over first to market - that's if they understand what's currently on offer and know how to improve and offer something that customers need and do it in a better way. I think you need to look at what's on offer already Screenplayreadings.com etc and see how you can do it better.
Thank you Salvatore, I am loving the results for my own screenplay. The added music and sound effects effects woven throughout really bring it to life and makes it an exciting “read”. It was spendy to do, but makes it broadens my marketing efforts to market thru podcasts, YouTube, website....it’s way more engaging than a spec read.
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Thanks for the feedback Rachel. I may explore this myself.
Hey, Kyle McCarley what ever happened to that start-up idea mentioned here? Audio drama podcasts are a growing thing now, and could be very successful. I'd love to talk with you more about that!