tracinell at 2011-10-05 18:47:57:

After notes from husband and script consultant (trusted one) I check: Beats--killer page 1 (that shows genre), theme, mid-point, all is lost, meaningful ending. Scenes--each needs beginning, middle, end then smooth/creative transition to next scene Exposition/Subtext--wordiness gets chopped. Plot/Subplot--Showing not telling? Too convoluted? Too boring? Characters--Would an actor want this part? Conflict! "Put hero in a tree, throw rocks at him 'til the end." Bad Guy--make him baaaaaad. Typos--read script backwards to forwards White space--enough? Page count--I write RomComs, shoot for 103 pages, "quick read." Before writing I will play with locales, see which states, cities, countries have filming incentives. I would LOVE to get local actors to do a FREE table read, but still trying to garner that interest. C'mon Detroit area! After all that, and sleeping on it for a few nights, I re-read--for the zillionth time--cross fingers, say a silent prayer and... jump.

Saint McSaint at 2011-10-05 19:33:25:

Hey -- I live near the 313!

Carla Smith at 2011-10-05 20:58:05:

How did Steve Jobs know when he was done with a new product? Wish I knew.

Courtney Chambers at 2011-10-06 01:32:15:

How do we know when our scripts are ready? I imagine we all have a check-list of sorts but it will never be perfect... the script that is. There's no "official" textbook or perfect check-list to make it happen. First drafts are a big no-no of course -- but at some point and time rewrites will evolve into nitpicking. But I will tell you this... after two, or hell thirty rewrites, a tiny little bell will eventually ding in your head. And when that bell dings -- like a certain someone's dog, it's time to act. You may not drool -- but you will know it's time. A certain individual... let's call him, "Scott," gave me the best piece of advice when I was struggling through the process... "Know when to let it go."

Nick West at 2011-10-06 12:35:40:

My script is finished when I imagine Harrison Ford reading it and not yelling, "Jesus Christ! What is this bullshit?"

Atlanta at 2011-10-06 13:29:46:

I love your metric. Funny, useful, and very motivational.

Atlanta at 2011-10-06 13:30:47:

@Nick, I should have used "reply." Loved your comment.

Nick West at 2011-10-06 17:17:04:

Thanks! I try my best.

Jim Cirile at 2011-10-07 06:36:47:

Check out my short video that covers this topic in detail: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRm8rNEb5HQ&feature=player_embedded#! Enjoy! Jim C. Coverage Ink