Screenwriting : Coverage results by Kirk Sanders

The main issue is that it's contextual to where the scoring has come from. A recommend from one source isn't necessarily as high an accolade as another. More unscrupulous coverage services dish out recommends on a lot of scripts to keep customers happy and coming back with new material.

There's also the profile of who the coverage service serves on the other side. One targeting big studios may have a much higher bar than one focused on giving amateur writers an attaboy.

This before we get into the quality of the readers which, in some cases, are simply low ranking writers/interns trying to earn money on the side.

Then there's industry member awareness to consider. They may not have heard of the coverage supplier and have reservations.

So basically, there's no barometer for quality and everything like this needs to be taken with a pinch of salt.

Stage 32 and Coverfly/WeScreenplay/ LaunchPad/ScreenCraft are highly reputable in this field so I would take a good score as a huge positive.

Thanks CJ. I appreciate your thoughts here. I've only used Stage32 & Coverfly / WeScreenplay / Launch Pad so it sounds like the positive feedback from those platforms in particular should be encouraging.

They're big wins brother and congratulations on getting the project repped.

Imagine thinking a platform like Screenplay Readers for example, which has been supplying the industry directly for over twenty years and looked up to by pretty much every other coverage supplier, means zero.

Imagine trying to crap on a writer's proud achievements on the second post they've ever made here while also trying to denigrate the very platform providing you with a place to talk.

Thankfully, some of us prefer to build other writers up rather than try and knock them down.

I would leave it to the rep to decide when he's comfortable taking it out. Sounds like you have a lot of positive feedback already, and at some point you just have to take the plunge.

The feedback you've received is definitely positive; that's certainly an ego boost for sure. I offer encouragement from my past - which may be/is dated - observation and experience. Realistically ask yourself if you really have the chops to direct it; if not then you may be holding your script back. Is it ready for development & polish? Maybe/maybe not - do you intend it for Hollywood or maybe something more approachable? There may be an Indie market for it. What I'm suggesting is that you explore all possibilities. I think you'll find many in here willing to provide realistic advise while avoiding dream world advice. You'll also find a few wet-blanket types. All the best.

I appreciate the sense of support and community here. Thanks to all. Understanding that platform coverage is purely subjective and simply an initial step, I'm just trying to contextualize the feedback on the script's current state. I've received a Recommend on me as a writer here at Stage32 however, the script itself only scored a Consider here and via Coverfly / WeScreenplay / Launch Pad several times. As I understand it Pass = Fair / Consider = Good / Recommend = Very Good?

From my experience, I'd say your script is not ready to be circulated and here's my reasoning.

Receiving consistent "considers" means you've put together a properly formatted and structured script, edited for typos/errors and you have solid characters with good dialogue. These are all good things. So, what is in the feedback that justifies why you aren't receiving recommends? Yes, the whole rating system can be very subjective, but it sounds like you've made the rounds of services and contests, but are stuck at consider?

Let me clarify something. I completely agree with you that coverage results are not game changers and aren't going to influence a producer. But, they can tell you a lot about how your script comes across. You need to figure out why you aren't "wowing" these coverage readers into giving a recommend. If you can't wow them, how are you going to wow a producer? And if you don't wow that producer the first time, you won't get a second chance with them.

I have a script that received double recommends from two quality services (Stage32, ScriptReaderPro) and consistently placed as a finalist or winner in contests and sits in Top 2% on Coverfly. Three wins and five finalists if I'm remembering correctly. Long story short, it took almost a year and more meetings than I can remember before I connected with the right producer who just happened to be looking for the type of story I'd written and optioned it. And I didn't start shopping it until it was consistently receiving much stronger coverage than what you mention above.

Hope this helps and best of luck.

Very helpful context, Dirk. Makes a ton of sense. Thank you!

If I had director attached and being repped on atop of that....I wouldn't worry what a hired "civilian" turned reader has to say bout my script...

Technically, you're in development if you're still writing the script. I think you mean is it ready for pre-production, where you lock your location, buy insurance, and sign talent.

Have you put together a pitch deck for the project? As part of it, you can begin to attach letters of intent (LOI) from talent and bios on any big players, including yourself. You can ABSOLUTELY start doing that work now. The script is never going to be perfect, so don't wait for it to be. The question is - are there enough known variables that will not change based on the feedback you're receiving to move forward?

If you're receiving feedback that says reduce how many locations you've got, you may not be able to move forward. If you're receiving feedback that we're not invested in your main characters or to cut out some major parts, then you may not be able to move forward. But if the elements are there, move forward and trust that your team will help you improve it as you go.

That's great advice, Kay. Thank you. Yes next steps are to get the pitch deck polished to go out with the script. Hopefully we'll get it slated. I've had a former development exec tell me the script is very good and the project has great potential in the horror space.