How Qualified Are Script Readers At Production Companies? - Adam William Ward

[@okcomputer0101]

This guy is cool. He tells it like it is. I've got friends in the industry who have described it like this for years. Just be good. Make something. Get your stuff out there. Be good in a room. Bam, then you're on your way. But first... Write good stuff.

[@JayCarver]

Spot on. Ultimately the script has to be good enough to hold an entry level persons attention the same way it does for the person green lighting the movie.

[@thereseember2800]

The market is already massively flooded with violent scenes, dark worlds and chase scenes. What’s in desperate need are healing films whose effect thwarts mass shootings out in the world that are being evoked and mimicked/copycatted by violent film & video material. Take responsibility to create healing effects out in the world. That type of film will be a massive success because it’s so rare. The world needs healing and a mental jacuzzi from constantly seeing visual harm being committed.

[@okcomputer0101]

Write in diversity! Define your characters ethnicity, race, age and gender! YOU have the power to make scripts reflect those who will want to see your movie. The real world is colorful and the world you create should be just as colorful to make it more believable.

[@ronreidjr]

lots of uplifting things are needed. they seem funny to others but they are needed. Now, i can understand what happened to some of my scripts: Go big or go Home. you have to impact them in the first few pages or not at all. kzbin.info/www/bejne/f6fHf5mCfKaGrLs I'll try this style and see how it impacts my pitching.

[@raew5263]

Could not agree more. The stuff out there is so violent! There's no reflection or introspection anymore. Glad to see I'm not alone in this thinking.

[@peacenow4456]

I was a reader for a while too, but i had a double major film and broadcast degree, was a screenwriter for 4 yrs prior, to getting 2nd degree, had a prior career to film and won a writing contest and got two internships for development, pitched 3 ideas as part of a writer team and more and still... never got an agent. Being female was a strike against you unless you were from an Ivy League school, or some big wig knew you, or benefited from nepotism... Nepo-baby. .As a reader, I NEVER cheated the writer. I read every script all the way through. I am a fast reader and could read and do coverage on one script in 2.2 hrs. Writing the coverage was slower than reading. Still puzzled how "vetted" scripts got to ProdCos I did coverage for. Hardest to get are Big Studio Analysts jobs... Try to get into Development, after your reader's stint, instead... Still great advice, here...

[@frankgeez6584]

This dude nailed it! People keep working. Also, smell the flowers. Don't forget we are human but yeah just keep going. I had no luck whatsoever in getting into the business. I am a year off my film BA. It is fine. Keep working and keep your head up. Good luck. Believe in yourself.

[@AdamWilliamWard]

True that!

[@okcomputer0101]

You are so right. I once worked at Kinko's with an actor who was in 2 other films. Only one was where he had a major part. He was "grinding", working hard every day. He went to casting calls regularly and then one lucky day he gets a call. From Jeremy Renner's agent wanting him to play Renner's opposite in Dahmer. He took the gig and gave the performance of his life. However, he wouldn't have got the job if he wasn't persistent. After years of toiling away, he finally got a big part. He could have easily packed it up and moved home but he didn't. My friend is still working but now as a talent agent.

[@ronreidjr]

Got to keep at it. Now, i can understand what happened to some of my scripts: Go big or go Home. you have to impact them in the first few pages or not at all. kzbin.info/www/bejne/f6fHf5mCfKaGrLs I'll try this style and see how it impacts my pitching.

[@ronreidjr]

@@okcomputer0101 congrats to him. got lots of screen time with Kirsten Stewart only we were told not to speak to her cause she had a lot on her plate. well, did my job and it was fun.

[@heartman3380]

Easily one of the greatest informative golden channels for filmmakers there is. dont go to film school,watch you tube and make people, honestly!

[@roathripper]

wow. confirmed every wannabe screenwriters darkest fear.

[@AdamWilliamWard]

Ya pretty much.

[@frankgeez6584]

It shouldn't. Trust me to find friends or look for the post and hand it to people to critique it. Trust me, no school or family is gonna give you any more passion than what you have. Do coverage, and do the synopsis for them. I believe you. Do you believe yourself? This goes for anyone in the comments.

[@2012XF3]

Im starting and i aint giving up. To me the hardest part is the narrative and or the breathability of words.

[@AdamWilliamWard]

@writergrlT so write your own coverage!!

[@ronreidjr]

we can get through this it is a fear but we can be stronger. Now, i can understand what happened to some of my scripts: Go big or go Home. you have to impact them in the first few pages or not at all. kzbin.info/www/bejne/f6fHf5mCfKaGrLs I'll try this style and see how it impacts my pitching.

[@cbstevp]

I was a script reader for a British company. I got the job through a movie job web site, applied, and based on the fact that I had written several screenplays, I was hired...but for no pay! I thought why bother? But then I thought I can get some experience and make some contacts. So I agreed. They sent me some samples of coverage and then a script. I was told these were scripts that agents, managers, known writers, and contest winners had sent or been requested. And most were awful! Just garbage. Out of about 30 I did coverage for I only really recommended one for possible production. I quit after 6 months after I went on vacation and came back and never contacted them again. Just too much effort for no reward. And years later the shoe was on the other foot when I had two scripts go to a major studio and both got killed by the reader's coverage. I was lucky that my producing partner got copies of the coverage so we could fix the scripts, but later the studio said don't bother, we are moving on.

[@arzabael]

Very, very interesting my friend. Thank you so much for commenting that.

[@jjkhawaiian]

So, the nugget here is to write a script that is a page-turner, clean, and something you've already wrote a longline, a short paragraph, and a one-page synopsis. That still leaves a hole about the concept. However, try to have a unique, funny, or relevant script to get that script reader to give you a Recommend.

[@AdamWilliamWard]

All true my friend

[@lonjohnson5161]

@@AdamWilliamWard - I am posting this as a reply in the hopes that you will reply. You say write a log line, a paragraph and a one page synopsis along with (and presumably after) the script. If someone asks to read my script (or more likely, consents to reading it), are you suggesting that I send all 4 at once or feed them one at a time in ascending length?

[@AdamWilliamWard]

Lon Johnson connect with Adam on Instagram @adamwilliamward

[@okcomputer0101]

Concepts are everywhere! Write about something you'd love to see in the movies. Watch the news for interesting stories. Also, history is full of amazing but true tales waiting to be put on film.

[@jjkhawaiian]

@@okcomputer0101 They sure are. I have no shortages when it comes to concepts. But, writers have to dig deeper to get that unique story written.

[@2012XF3]

I got down the format in 4 days or so but still learning.

[@AdamWilliamWard]

Keep rocking!

[@ronreidjr]

i guess it is a continual fall down and get up situation sometimes. Now, i can understand what happened to some of my scripts: Go big or go Home. you have to impact them in the first few pages or not at all. kzbin.info/www/bejne/f6fHf5mCfKaGrLs I'll try this style and see how it impacts my pitching.

[@totheworkshed7915]

Don't assume a CEO is any brighter than an intern. Write for EVERYONE. That isn't to say write generic trash either.

[@diwaazrai8769]

Nice Adam sir

[@AdamWilliamWard]

Thank you!

[@jeromejohnson2976]

Wow. Nothing qualifies you to work in Hollywood. That's something to think about.

[@ronreidjr]

you said it. Now, i can understand what happened to some of my scripts: Go big or go Home. you have to impact them in the first few pages or not at all. kzbin.info/www/bejne/f6fHf5mCfKaGrLs I'll try this style and see how it impacts my pitching.

[@user-yb8vr2ip2t]

Now, thanks to the GOP, nothing qualifies you to be a member of Congress, either. Welcome to the Marjorie Taylor Greene era.

[@jeromejohnson2976]

If you don't live in Hollywood, how can you get started as a script reader?

[@conniediaz6456]

Try to find gigs online.

[@JC-wv2mn]

Anyone else get excited about hearing how hard you have to work???

[@surrealistborealis]

5:25

[@Chris-pn2iy]

Script readers get paid? In NYC script readers are unpaid college interns. Anyway, he's an interesting guy. Post the whole interview soon, Film Courage.

[@TimothyOBrien1958]

I've said that all along that readers don't know shit. I read Jacob's Ladder. It sucked in script form. It sucked even more in film form. Yet some reader said it was good.

[@Nubbe999]

Not really inspiring hearing things like this. but we all know nobody in the industry cares about some new guy and is not interested in scripts that are not proven moneymakers. Just like nobody where interested in some stupid script about a space-war with lightsabers in the late 70-tis