Screenwriting : Script readers by Boomer Murrhee

Yes, yes, and yes -- but don't waste your money on a seminar.

Thanks Laurie. I wasn't interested in the seminar, however it sparked an idea. I'm intrigued about learning more what it takes to become a script reader. This seems like a wonderful opportunity to learn more about what producers are looking for in a script. It seems developing skills as a script reader could help in my development as a writer. Getting paid for it would definitely be a bonus! LOL Thanks again. :-)

But how do you become a script reader?

Boomer, there's a few ways to go about it but there's some caveats. If you are just starting out, you MIGHT make $10 a script but most start out as unpaid interns and some stay that way. When you gain experience, you can charge what you want, it really depends on the relationships you cultivate -- if you get in with a decent producer or small shingle and you work well together it can be an easy way to make some money. It is a great way for writers to gain insight into what works and what doesn't, if you're really serious about it, you may want to start on a peer review site like talentville or maybe hook up with a small competition (the better known ones typically want some sort of experience). Each will have their own template they like to adhere to but all are evaluated on some variation of: Premise/Marketability, Character, Dialogue, Structure/Formatting, Plot. As a writer, it would be worth it for you to search out sample notes (or coverage) so you at the very least have an idea of what most readers are looking for -- whether or not you decide to proceed as a reader.

Does that even exist anymore? Someone actually reads scripts?

There are still script readers, though a lot of this is done by interns (who are still script readers... just not paid), and assistants (different job title, same job). Who do you think reads all of those scripts? There are a million scripts out there at any given time and someone has to read the submissions and write up the coverage. Producers on the lot use union readers, others use freelance readers (I know several). That's the front line we have to get past... and even if you are an Oscar winner, your script is going to a reader for coverage (because nobody really reads scripts... excepts those folks on the front line).

Sorry William, I didn't mean to sound sarcastic or something, I know at one point someone will have to read it. No offense.

No problem! We joke around online and sometimes new people take it seriously.

Thanks all for your comments and especially for your insight William. On one hand I'm intrigued by the idea of reading scripts and getting paid, while on the other it would be a distraction and another opportunity for procrastination. I thought it would be helpful as a writer to know how a reader would break down a script in order to get by the gatekeepers.