I just had a writer friend send me a short script yesterday that she asked me to read. Two weeks ago, another screenwriter friend sent me a feature script and asked me for feedback. Though I read scripts on a regular basis, including some I'm paid to read and evaluate, I must confess I'm not reading as many as I should. Reading other writer's screenplays can help you incorporate fresh ideas into your toolbox. According to consultant Paula Landry, you can learn about the following:
The first ten pages are important. These are basically traffic lights – go, stop, read with caution. If the first 10 pages are good, I can’t wait to keep going.
Ms. Landry further states:
There were so many ways I was impressed with the wonderful writers I encountered. Lots of good ideas, professional follow-up, careful proofing, good dialogue, like-able characters, fresh perspectives. Solid structure. Lack of camera instructions, directorial instructions, and production design instructions. I read many projects where the writers concentrated on the writing. I liked many of the scripts I read, even though I knew the genre or budget wasn’t a fit for my client.
According to Ms Landry, here's where other writer's often miss the mark.
-Proofreading. Proofreading.
-Weak Endings
-Slow Beginnings
-Character Study type of story with skinny plot, no payoffs
-Structural and formatting gaffes– either with bold headings, all caps in strange places,
-Random description in the scene headings which belonged in a different element.
-In just a few scripts – No like-able character. Not one. Hated everyone.
Though the thought of it makes my head spin, Ms. Landry suggests that screenwriters pick up the gauntlet and read at least one screenplay a day for 3 weeks (21 days). That's a wee bit too zealous for me, but Ms Landry suggests that it's a great way to sharpen one's writing skills.
What's a three week commitment? What say you?
https://www.scriptmag.com/features/columns/a-flick-chick-by-paula-landry...
I read a lot of scripts while I'm meant to be cough working my day job cough
Most of these tend to be scripts I can find online, so, the majority are already produced/shot/released.
I've found it really useful reading people scripts from those who I consider to be on a similar level/trajectory as myself. I used to haunt Amazon Studios reading some of the scripts on there. CJ (who posts on here too) has Script Revolution which is another good resource. It's helpful for the reader and the writer (if you provide feedback, which you should). It can really hold up a mirror to your own work.
I'd probably find it tough to read 1 a day for 21 days, but reading scripts has definitely helped me with my own writing and I strive to do it whenever I can. As long as I'm not using it as a tool for procrastination!
One per day? Try reading 10 to 50 scripts a week, while working 50hrs a week. That’s what we did at the agency mailroom before the internet era. Execs (bosses) read piles of scripts a week.
Reading, watching movies, and writing are the minimum amount of effort.
Aim to read one produced script per day. Keeps me on my toes as to the professional level I must attain. Have learned no matter how badly some scripts are written, people liked it enough to invest the big bucks. And that's what matters, getting your script(s) into the hands of those that can move it forward, from peer or paid feedback to legitimate producers, etc.
One per year is my average:)
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Agree with Pamela about writing way more than you read.
(Un)fortunately I'm currently unemployed so am making the most of my time.
Remember the struggles of full time job and not enough creative time.
I read scripts, articles, etc which help me improve my craft
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I don't think I'd do this. But reading a script is very different to reading a script to learn from it. You can blow through a script in an hour easy in a fugue state. But looking at how things are done. How the writer managed to get a message across, subtext etc, takes a lot of time. Unfortunately I do it when I can. But not for 21 days straight.