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

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In this Film Courage video interview, co-screenwriter/director/actor of WALLY GOT WASTED Adam William Ward shares one of his first jobs in the film and television industry as a script reader and the eye-opening lessons it taught him.

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#screenwriting #screenplay #writing

[peacenow]

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...

[okcomputer]

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.

[frankgeez]

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.

[heartman]

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

[thereseember]

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.

[roathripper]

wow. confirmed every wannabe screenwriters darkest fear.

[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.

[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.

[XF]

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

[totheworkshed]

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

[jeromejohnson]

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

[JC-wvmn]

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

[jeromejohnson]

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

[Chris-pniy]

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.

[TimothyOBrien]

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.

[Nubbe]

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