Hollywood Jobs: Freelance Script Reader
Ranked #1,555 in Entertainment, #18,799 overall
Script Readers Are the Hollywood Gatekeepers
For an aspiring screenwriter, there is no better place to begin a career than as a script reader for a major studio or production company.
Creative Commons License
The Philadelphia Story
Academy Award for Best Writing, Screenplay
Hollywood Script Reading Poll
Script Reader Duties
Script Reading is Not as Easy as It Sounds
A script reader's duties involve reading scripts that have been submitted to a studio or production company and writing 2 to 3 pages of "coverage." Basic coverage includes a synopsis of the plot, general impressions about the story, an assessment of the writer's skills, and an evaluation of the script's strengths and weaknesses. Most important of all, each script is assigned a rating of PASS, CONSIDER, or RECOMMEND.The majority of scripts that are channeled through a reader receive a pass—very few receive a recommend. Script readers and story analysts who work directly for a studio read an average of 7 to 10 scripts per week. They take their jobs seriously. No reader wants to pass on a script that goes on to become a hit film.
Developing Proofreading and Editing Skills Available on Amazon
Script Reader
A person who reads screenplays for a production company or stageplays for a theater company and writes a report about them, often being paid per report.
Screenwriting.info: Glossary
The Usual Suspects
Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay
Script Coverage
A Few Facts Courtesy of Wikipedia
Script coverage consists of a number of elements. The first is a 1 to 2 page synopsis of the script's story highlighting the main characters and events of the tale. The second is a review of the piece (running from 2 to 10 pages) that assesses the effectiveness of the screenplay's various components-including its concept, story structure, story development, characters, dialogue, and writing style-and points out its strong points and problem areas. Following the review is a 1 to 2 paragraph final evaluation that assesses the script's overall creative success or failure, its suitability for production (by taking into consideration factors such as whether or not the lead roles can be filled with bankable actors and whether or not the scope and scale of the piece will allow it to be produced on a reasonable budget), and its commercial viability (by taking into account factors such as likely box office and home video potential as well as marketing and merchandising possibilities).Acrylic Dry-Erase Clapboard Available on Amazon
Coverage
The notes prepared by script readers at literary agency, film production company, theater company or script competition. Coverage is typically divided into three sections: plot synopsis, evaluation / discussion of the quality of the writing, and a recommendation that either passes on the script or kicks it on to the next level.
Screenwriting.info: Glossary
Good Will Hunting
Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay
Reading for a Living
How to Be a Professional Story Analyst for Film and Television
Reading for a Living: How to Be a Professional Story Analyst for Film and Television
Amazon Price: $6.44 (as of 05/31/2012)
Now, for the first time, training for readers is easy to find, easy to do, low cost, and comprehensive. READING FOR A LIVING reveals all: how to get the job and how to do it well. Learn what makes a story great. Earn extra income while pursuing another career. Gain valuable insight into the industry. Train to be a story editor, Director of Development, or other high-level executive.
Freelance Script Reader Resources
If Your Link Pertains to Script Reading, Add it Here
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Breaking Into Hollywood - How Do I Get a Job as a Story Analyst / Script Reader?
One of my first jobs in Los Angeles was as a story more...4 points
2
The Life of a Hollywood Gatekeeper | A Arts And Entertainment Article
A free Arts And Entertainment article. What it's l more...3 points
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Chinese Water Torture: A Day in the Life of a Hollywood Script Reader
By Tiffany Stone2 points
4
Confessions of a Genius Script Reader
By Allan Heifetz2 points
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Fun Joel's Screenwriting Blog: On Script Reading
On Screenwriting and Related Topics1 point
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Story Analyst/Script Reader - Los Angeles Times
Question : I am a recent college graduate and came more...1 point
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Script Reader - Los Angeles Times
Question : In your previous Q&A article about more...1 point
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The Script Reader - FAQs
As a former gatekeeper for William Morris Agency a more...1 point
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The Script Reader - Hollywood Film Blog
A Film Blog Community from experts and professiona more...1 point
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Sample Script Reader Cover Letter
JobBank USA1 point
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Write Here, Write Now: Q & A: The Accidental Script Reader
The Official Networking and Tips Blog for The Bang more...1 point
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Scripts, Writers, Producers - InkTip.com
Bullet-Proof Your Script Against Reader Rejection1 point
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Unlimited Writing Jobs - Get New Writing Contracts Daily!
Access more Writing Jobs than We Can Fill! Get Pai more...1 point
Cheat a Script
Fudging the margins and spacing of a screenplay on a page (usually with a software program) in an attempt to fool the reader into thinking the script is shorter than it really is.
Screenwriting.info: Glossary
Skakespeare in Love
Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay
Screenplay Story Analysis
The Art and Business
Screenplay Story Analysis
Amazon Price: $6.54 (as of 05/31/2012)
Along with a basic how-to on writing a story analysis-or "coverage"-this book explains the techniques and thought processes involved in reading and evaluating a screenplay. Get familiar with terms, techniques, and general story elements. Master standard coverage format and content.
Unsolicited Script
A method of script submission in which the writer sends the script, without prior contact, to the theater or production company. Some theaters allow this, most don't-and very few film production companies, for liability reasons, can read unsolicited materials.
Screenwriting.info: Glossary
500 Ways to Beat the Hollywood Script Reader
Writing the Screenplay the Reader Will Recommend
500 Ways to Beat the Hollywood Script Reader: Writing the Screenplay the Reader Will Recommend
Amazon Price: $2.43 (as of 06/01/2012)
Your eyes won't glaze over reading Lerch's 500 brisk mini-lessons. How many pages can you turn in? Not over 120. How crucial are the first 30 pages? Utterly. How many big, climactic moments do you need in those 30 pages? Two. That's how Lerch writes. And if you want to get anywhere in Hollywood, you'll have to please someone just like her. Know your enemy--and make her your best friend. --Tim Appelo
Script Reader Education and Training
If Your Link Pertains to a Script Reading Workshop, Add it Here
1
How to Work as a Reader (Private Class)
Daniel Calvisi, Act Four Screenplays3 points
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Screenplay Reading and Analysis
Learn how to work as a professional "Reader" more...2 points
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Online Script Reading Training Courses
First Draft Doctor Scriptwriting Training Course i more...1 point
4
Learn to be a Hollywood Script Reader
Enroll in this self-paced email correspondence cou more...1 point
Screenwriter
The most important and most abused person in Hollywood. The screenwriter writes the script that provides the foundation for the film, though it may go through any number of changes, both in the rewriting process before production, during production, and in the editing process afterward.
Screenwriting.info: Glossary
Gosford Park
Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay
Seducing the Studio Reader
Screenwriting Expo Seminar Series DVD
Seducing the Studio Reader
Amazon Price: $15.00 (as of 05/31/2012)
Robert Flaxman is a Producer-Director-Writer-DP-Editor. His independently financed film, "A Labor of Love," played in theaters across the country garnering excellent reviews from Roger Ebert, Variety, NBC News, and Gene Siskel. As a screenplay consultant, Robert was rated #1 by Creative Screenwriting in its "Analyzing the Script Analysts" review (Vol. 6, No 5).
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Thanks For Visiting
Did You Learn Something New About Freelance Script Readers?
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WriterJanis
May 10, 2012 @ 3:51 am | delete
- Very informative lens.
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Beautiful-Bridal
May 9, 2012 @ 8:21 am | delete
- I did learn a LOT about Freelance Script Readers, it sounds like a fun but demanding job!
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Susan52
Apr 26, 2012 @ 6:35 pm | delete
- Brilliant lens! I learned a lot.
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scarlettohairy Apr 25, 2012 @ 1:19 pm | delete
- Wow, I didn't know this job existed. It sounds like a lot of work (since most scripts probably stink) but it could be fun too!
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Hypersapien
Apr 25, 2012 @ 10:04 am | delete
- Love this lens! I actually used to write screenplays and even had an agent for a while (but that was a lifetime ago), so this really piqued my interest.
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Courtesies
Mike Stern, The Script Reader
Daniel Calvisi, Act Four Screenplays
Rainbow Squid Courtesy of Greekgeek
Intro Photograph by The Screenwriter's Store
Even More Borders and Dividers for Use on Squidoo
Wikipedia: Academy Award for Writing (Original Screenplay)
Vault.com, Script Reading and Other Industry Jobs for Aspiring Screenwriters
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Hollywood Jobs: Freelance Script Reader
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Hollywood Jobs: Freelance Script Reader
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