Paying for notes?
I would like to get my script evaluated by a professional. How do I know who is reputable, honest and skilled at this? And how much (approx.) should it cost?
–Anonymous
In Los Angeles, it’s pretty rare for the writer to pay for notes or coverage. Usually, it’s done as a favor, either by friends who work in the industry, as part of a class, or in exchange for work done at an internship. Professional readers and story analysts are generally paid by the buyer, either a studio or production company, and spend their days reading through the material submitted for consideration.
I worked as a reader for two years when I first moved to L.A., first as an unpaid intern, then later for TriStar. It’s a good first job for any screenwriter, as you get the opportunity to read a lot of scripts, and eventually earn enough to pay rent.
There are some freelance analysts who will read and critique your work for a fee. You can find listings for them in the back of Variety, The Hollywood Reporter and the various screenwriting magazines. While I’m sure many of them are dedicated and conscientious, there are a few things I would ask to see before writing a check. First, they should show you a sample of the coverage or story notes they write. Ask yourself, if you were handed this document, would it help you write your next draft? Second, they should be able to give you some references, both in terms of writers they’ve helped and places they’ve worked. Third, you need to have some sort of contract or agreement that makes it clear that they are working for you on a one-time basis, and that you’re not signing over any rights to them. Many freelance readers are also aspiring producers, and you need to be clear what the boundaries are.
Obviously, these are the kinds of guarantees you’re looking for when you’re dealing with a complete stranger. If you’re dealing with a friend, acquaintance, or friend-of-a-friend, you’ll probably be a little more flexible in your requirements.
How much should you pay? Like eye surgery, you really don’t want to shop for the cheapest rate you can find. I could imagine it costing as little as $100, or as much as $500. Only you know how much it’s worth to you.
There’s one online service I’ve seen that does coverage and story notes, called ScriptShark. This is in no way an endorsement, because I don’t know if they’re any good. But if any reader has worked with them or any similar service, I’d love to hear about your experience, so I can pass it along in a future column.
Articles
March 17th, 2005 at 11:21 am
I tried Script Shark (picked the cheapest option to get a read). I found it quite useful, the reader seemed like a reasonable person with taste who had some well thought out valid points which I think do need addressing in the rewrite I’m doing. I don’t agree with everything he said (I still think the basic concept is a great one for a guy meat & potatoes movie, but it’s just not the kind of thing a more refined literary type would like) but I can respect where he’s coming from.
I got more comments that I expected/paid for which was nice, but I don’t know if that was typical - he might just have liked what I wrote enough to add a bit extra. It was worth it for me as I don’t live in L.A. and don’t know anyone in the biz.
November 10th, 2007 at 8:01 pm
I used ScriptShark on my first script, going with their NotesPlus coverage. Their feedback was professional, insightful, and educational. I really felt like the individual took the time to give an honest and thorough look at the material, pointing out the good, and being frank about what needed improvement. They offered pages of suggestions. Every note was helpful and I learned a lot through the experience. But even more, it encouraged me to dig deeper into story structure and learn how to become a better story teller. In my first script, I just had fun and wrote. Since then, I’ve taken it more seriously.
Now that I’m finishing up my next script, I plan to use their service again to get feedback before sending it out to the industry. I definately recommend their services to new writers.