How to Get Inexpensive and Professional Feedback on your Script

Hi,

Went to hear Tom Malloy speak last night. Wow! The guy is seriously high energy. I'm ready to write 1, 2, maybe 3 scripts . . . this morning.

I know he doesn't look high energy here in this photo, but that's because he was jumping around so much, this is the only picture that is relatively in focus.

Feedback On Your Script

Tom had some great advice for writers, but the piece I'm going to put to good use right away is how to get inexpensive and great feedback from professional readers on your script -- before you send it out there.

He said to go to Craiglist in LA and say you're looking for a reader to give you feedback on your script. You'll find plenty of folks who have read for studios and they will give you coverage inexpensively — like from $50 to $250.

Next, you send your script off to three different readers and see what you get back. The idea is to look for "trends". If they all tell you that your script needs stronger characters — your script needs stronger characters.

Reader Different From Writer

He has had great results with this process and it's helped him really hone his scripts. He's got the stats to prove it — he's sold or produced 5 of his last 9 scripts. (I think that's the stat, I don't have my notes in front of me right now. But it's something completely insane like that.)

He believes you should get feedback from readers versus writers. Readers know what studios are looking for. Plus, if the writer is your friend, you might be getting biased feedback.

I don't know if I'm explaining this well. But in short, if you find 3 readers at $50 a piece — for $150 you could get quality studio coverage and feedback to help you rewrite your script before sending out there for the world to read.

Sounds like a deal to me. :-) Can hardly wait to give it a try.

di

Getting the Most From Your Writer’s Group

I love my writer’s group.  Each week we bring our pages and listen as the other writers read them aloud.

After the read, they tell me what they think. They don't try to save my feelings, just give it to me straight (or at least I hope they do).  But what they might not know is that its' watching and listening to them while they read my work that's sometimes even more helpful.    

Listening 

I listen to hear if the readers are: 

• stumbling over dialogue that needs to be smoother or more natural 

• finding it hard to navigate through awkward sentences 

• not laughing during humorous moments (not a good sign) 

• laughing during dramatic scenes (even worse)   

Watching 

I also watch readers to see: 

• when they enjoying the experience 

• when they look confused 

• when they seem to lose interest 

• and lastly, when they are already searching for a way to give me that bad news about my pages.  

Their comments over the years have helped me hone my skills, improve my characters and sharpen plots, but it’s been watching their expressions and initial reaction to my work that’s been truly priceless.  

I highly recommend it!