Couldn't agree more Scott. I read about three scripts a week. I wish I could read more but sometimes I get the feeling I am reading scripts so I don't have to write mine so I pace myself. Just the other day I read The Thing (Lancaster's 3/4/1981). The action lines are so tight and lucid. Such a great example. I keep that around just to look at it from time to time and to see how it's done. Find a script that resonates with you, not the story so much but how the writer executed the story on the page, and hold on to it. It's a great resource and motivator. We don't have to reinvent the wheel here folks, just put different rims and a new tread on them. -Jim

I sort of wish I'd kept track of all the scripts that I've read, but I'd guess it's somewhere around 700 give or take? And I always feel like I could be reading more: sleep, work or having to read too many bad scripts in one day are usually the things that stop me. I think the answer to the last question is exactly what you said in your post. Screenwriting has to be the ONLY creative medium in the history of the world where aspiring artists of said medium somehow think they don't have to absorb copious examples of the craft. How many books does a novelist read in their lifetime on average? 5,000? 10,000? How many novels does an ASPIRING novelist read in their life? Probably barely less than that because most people spend their lives reading books anyways. To think that you can write screenplays without reading thousands of screenplays just makes me laugh. I read a lot of scripts for work, and most of the bad ones jump out at you by the end of the first page. And besides that feeling of horrible dread knowing that you have to read 110 more bad pages, the vast majority of mistakes in those screenplays read like they're coming from someone who's never read a screenplay. That's so weird, Nate!!! I KNOW! Who would have thought? If a screenwriter thinks he can be better than the professional competition he's facing without reading scripts, you're not going to be a screenwriter. Sorry. A football player who wants to play in the Super Bowl but never watches football to study the game? Laughed off the field. A poet who's never read a poem? Probably embarrassed in some elitist way by fellow poets. It's bizarre that some aspiring screenwriters assume that they don't fall into this category (and I think, especially compared to novelists, it's because the blueprint they have to study isn't widely available and already part of their lives. People read books their entire life. People do not read screenplays for homework assignments in 5th grade.) never cease to amaze me. End rant. But for those of us who have to read scripts and write coverage, please. Read screenplays. It's better for both of us that way.

* How many scripts have you read? Around 45 non-pro scripts via Triggerstreet. Around 25 pro scripts. I have tons saved, but most of them I've just skimmed or focused on a particular part for whatever reason. * Do you feel like you could be reading more? Of course. But with me it feels like I also could be writing more. Not enough hours in the day. * What holds you back from reading scripts? Time, not in the right mind state, other responsibilities and real life issues. * How do you think reading scripts can benefit you in learning the craft of screenwriting? I think you covered most of everything, but for me in particular at this point in my career is dialogue. How to go from realistic dialogue that's closer to how people actually speak (fragments) and how I'd wish more people would speak (more focused and direct) to what people enjoy more with dialogue with memorable lines.

How many scripts have I read? Probably in the vicinity of 75. Do I feel like I could be reading more? Absolutely. What holds me back from reading more scripts? Well, like the saying goes, the last thing a gynecologist wants to do when he goes home to his wife is... yeah you get my point. But between finding time for writing, class, surfing, watching movies, television, reading novels (which can be quite valuable as well), and the necessary drink with the friends, I become ever grateful that it's my job to read scripts. And not only read them, but cover them, which really gets me both that macro and micro education you were talking about Scott. And funny about dropping out of the world of academics for writing, I just declined my Masters of Environmental Health offer for a paid internship at Fox. But as Einstein said, "Any intelligent fool can make things bigger and more complex... It takes a touch of genius - and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction." Kudos Scott, I hope I'm not kicking myself a few years down the road.

@Scott, just yesterday I was going to pose a reader question asking for your take on the right balance of reading scripts, watching movies, and writing pages. Then I started rewriting the opening to one of my scripts and got all carried away and forgot. But I didn't forget the realization that prompted the desire to send it the question. At the risk of sounding like one of those skinny people who complains that they can't gain weight no matter what they eat, I write. In fact, I use writing as a way to procrastinate on things like picking up the mail or cleaning the baseboards or all those other things people do to procrastinate when they don't want to write. I used to read and watch more, but for about six months now, the reading and even the watching have fallen by the wayside, so I'm starting to suspect writing so much might actually be hurting my writing. While it's not an exact science, how do you balance reading/watching/writing. Do you prioritize? Follow a schedule or try to stay flexible? I'm going to guess it comes down to stopping even when you want to keep working on pages... but that seems, I dunno... hard to do right now!

Annika, seems to be some synchronicity at work because Part 4 of this series is about setting goals and that involves finding a balance between reading scripts, watching movies, writing pages, and all the rest. Look for that Thursday. Let me say that there are many variables. For example, I do not recommend reading scripts when you are deep into writing a first draft. That can negatively affect the writer by messing with their narrative voice. Also when you write a first draft, I do not recommend watching movies in the same genre you are writing, similarly not to mess with your tone. But more of this on Thursday.

I wud've read 15+ scripts since my first visit to GITS. If I'd learned something about screen writing, that is only from GITS, ie when I understood the importance of reading scripts. Thanks again Scott. I surely do think that I must be reading more scripts per week. Its only coz of my lazyness I do not read scripts, (and Iam also bad in planning). How reading scripts benefit in learning the craft : Basically my mother tongue is not English. So I've a little problem in understanding some dialogue. Other than that what I learn from a script are scene breakdowns, plot points, character descriptions and developments.etc. Its a very gud exercise to read a screenplay and analyse it page by page. Helps a lot in writing my own script.

Let me add this: Every screenwriter goes through stages in their development. And there are some stages where it's more important to read scripts than others. Clearly in the earliest stages -- let's call them 'beginning' and 'intermediate,' where a writer is just starting to immerse him/herself in the craft -- that is the single most critical time to read scripts. I will have more to say on this Thursday. But even in 'advanced' or 'professional,' it's beneficial to read scripts, most notably current spec scripts that sell and scripts for top movies that are produced each year. A great way of staying abreast of current writing style, sensibilities, and so on.

I have only read like 10 or 11 full length scripts so far, I try to keep up with it , but it gets really hard really soon, since juggling like several things at once. My partner and I not only write but we produce content as well, and we both have full time jobs, so yeah reading one script watching couple movies a week sometimes feel like accomplishment. I really like to read the scripts though, It helps , and I learned a lot. Thanks to Scott, for having the "Script Reading and Analysis", this actually motivates me to read at least one script a week. Cheers Mragendra

Great point Scott. I find myself putting off reading scripts more often these days even though I know I need to make the time to do it. Screenwriting seems to be a lot like building a house. A lot of our fathers probably thought that since they'd seen a lot of houses they could just make additions or build garages based on instinct instead of studying the blueprints for these houses. These projects rarely turned out as serviceable as a professionally built version. I know my dad's didn't. ;) It's the same with movies. A lot of use see a film and think "I can do that" without studying the blueprints to see how it's all put together. I know I'm guilty of doing this lately, and I need to make sure I'm diligent about studying the blueprints. Thanks again for the post, and for lighting a fire under my ass. Jeff

I am an experienced prose writer (books, essays, articles) but very new to screenwriting - started my first course (through my MFA) just over a year ago, and am now fairly well advanced in my first (and, so far, only) screenplay. So I am very new to reading scripts - up to about 6 now, including Shakespeare in Love and Drag me to Hell - 5 of those within the last month. Reading scripts is not emphasized (in fact, barely mentioned!) in the program I am in (which, admittedly, offers introductory screenwriting courses within a multi-genre Creative Writing program). We do a lot of analysis of films, but not really looking at scripts at all. I find that you can analyse structure and plot points just fine from the films, without needing to refer to the script. But, now, as I am getting more comfortable with the genre, I am sure seeing the value of reading the scripts too. As a neophyte screenwriter, the value I am finding is in terms of formatting (getting used to the conventions, and also becoming introduced to unusual or unique options and examples of the breaking of the rules). And also, as a prose writer, in seeing the completely different writing style that screenwriters use - not worrying necessarily about full sentences, but becoming really good at visuals and at showing, rather than telling. And also, seeing different writers’ unique voices and styles - learning by example what I can do, how far I can (or cannot) push things. What holds me back? Ha ha, so much reading to do (all genres) and so little time! I haven’t even watched as many films as I know I should have, not to mention got to the scripts. And, as others have noted, I also need to be writing. BTW, I think the strong screenwriting emphasis on structure, and on showing not telling, is going to really help me with my prose writing too.

Since I started in theatre (and still work in that format as well), I've read a lot more plays than screenplays - number of plays in the hundreds, screenplays more like 50. Since I'm just starting to get into screenwriting, I'm trying to read a script a day. That doesn't always happen, but right now I'd say I'm at 3-5 per week on average. I haven't written a single page yet. I'm currently working on concepts - I also try to come up with an idea a day that I post on a private blog - your concept a day post from April really inspired me, Scott! Next step is to work one of those concepts into an outline...but for now I'm finding reading scripts invaluable. For anyone new to reading scripts, my best lesson so far has been to read an early draft of a script and then a much later draft. Seeing what the writer changed and understanding why has really deepened my understanding of the craft. Best example so far has been the 1992 and 1997 drafts of "As Good As It Gets" - read them if you get a chance.

Samantha - that's a really good point. about reading earlier and later drafts. The two that I have done that for are 127 Hours and Black Swan, and it was extremely educational for me. (As well as made me feel far more positive about my own work... when you see the flaws in early drafts of scripts that still became great films!).

Ok, conversation is bit old, but still I want to post it here. I read “Lego Movie”, and found there beautiful thought that had lost itself in the waves of creation. A DILETTANTE BORROWS. A TRUE ARTIST STEALS.