Eliott Grover at 2012-06-11 15:06:49:
This would be quite valuable. If possible, it would also be nice to hear from some of your contacts who write coverage and see how their reading methods compare. (the recent twitter series was helpful, but you can never share enough info!)
Debbie Moon at 2012-06-11 15:13:06:
That would be brilliant. I never feel like I'm really getting to grips with a script when I read it, though I might appreciate the odd turn of phrase... That would be really helpful
EvanGore at 2012-06-11 15:16:52:
Though I would rather have a screenwriting pill of some kind; yes, I would be drawn to this if you posted it. Thanks.
Brad Johnson at 2012-06-11 15:21:02:
Absolutely. It's always good to get more insight in the process of others.
Keith_Moten at 2012-06-11 15:26:49:
Fantastic idea. I'd find it extremely beneficial. Would LOVE to follow and get involved in a series like that.
Jay Finklestein at 2012-06-11 15:35:33:
That sounds great. But is reading a final draft ('shooting script?' I don't know the jargon) useful, or should aspiring screenwriters focus on reading spec scripts that sold? My (ignorant) sense of the industry is that every script is necessarily rewritten. So the final draft of any given script, if it was submitted as a spec script, would turn into a completely different final draft.
Ammar Salmi at 2012-06-11 15:35:48:
That would be really helpful. I wish you write this series for us.
LuckyandDead at 2012-06-11 15:36:47:
I definitely would like to read and analyze "how to read and analyze" series!
mommyfollows at 2012-06-11 15:37:13:
Yes, please.
Sarah Kate Levy at 2012-06-11 15:39:04:
Yes please!
Sarah Grimes at 2012-06-11 15:44:40:
That's a great idea, Scott!
Neddy Dommer at 2012-06-11 15:45:32:
Yes, would love this! As well, could we take it a step further and analyze the step from script to screen?
Zyxpsilon at 2012-06-11 15:49:11:
Certainly, it's the cover_age - after all! :)
Judy Potocki at 2012-06-11 15:53:21:
That would be wonderful!
David Joyner at 2012-06-11 16:04:45:
I vote +1 for this too.
astarryknight at 2012-06-11 16:37:19:
Yes please!
summertime at 2012-06-11 16:58:48:
This would fill a huge gap in my education(as did how to write a logline, treatment, develop concepts etc). Didn't realize there were so many holes until you started filling them. Can't thank you enough Scott!!!
Darren McLeod at 2012-06-11 17:00:55:
Echoing the above, I think it's a great idea for a series.
Sean Z P Harris at 2012-06-11 17:07:38:
Great idea for a series, Scott.
No, Other Ira at 2012-06-11 17:14:54:
Yes, and yet one might say there are various ways to approach this subject. For example - How to read and analyze... 1. A good script to learn from it? Yes, but what about (among others)... 2. A good script depending on whether it was written by someone so well-established that his/her name guarantees a read vs. a first-timer who found success with this script but who had to (more fully) earn the turn to the next page? 3. A script that does/doesn't follow this or that convention? 4. A script by an unsold writer/friend - from the perspective of a prospective industry reader (because every customer needs/deserves special care and feeding, and industry readers infamously lack patience for newbies) - in order to offer some notes? 5. A script for your boss? Of course, maybe the above are actually all the same.
BrandiLGulledge at 2012-06-11 17:17:24:
That would be a great help! I read tons of scripts but often they are the shooting script so I'm not sure I'm getting everything that I could out of the script.
Devin McKay at 2012-06-11 17:39:13:
I took a "story analysis for readers" class and it was fairly helpful but I have a feeling you have way more information that that class provided. I am very excited to see what input you have to offer on the subject.
CaveDude21 at 2012-06-11 18:40:08:
Definitely. I try to read 1-3 Black List or Recent Sale scripts a week. I think I do a decent job gleaning info from them - but I KNOW I could be analyzing and learning much more. So, HELL YEAH (please)!
Diogo Figueira at 2012-06-11 18:40:41:
Would be terrific.
Sean McIntyre at 2012-06-11 19:54:43:
Yes, please!
kellisays@gmail.com at 2012-06-11 20:03:48:
This would be great!
Alan Rambaldini at 2012-06-11 20:27:03:
I thought of asking you to write a post on this very topic this weekend, but this is even better. Only suggestion: would it be possible to analyze a script in an earlier stage, and then compare it with the rewritten version?
Teddy Pasternak at 2012-06-11 20:51:00:
This sounds like a horrible idea. More free stuff? Jeez, Scott. You give and you give and you give. What's in it for us? Did you ever think of that, you selfish bastard?
GeorgePoles at 2012-06-12 01:32:49:
That sounds a great idea (for us, at least).
Shaula Evans at 2012-06-12 01:55:37:
Yes, please. PS I hope you're looking at your growing opus here on GITS with an eye to compiling it into a screenwriting book.
SK Tagore at 2012-06-12 03:05:56:
tht wud be a gr8 idea!...i always wanted to know abt it!
camilakamimura at 2012-06-12 15:21:51:
Yes please!
Yara Camargo at 2012-06-12 15:23:41:
Yes, please!
Amanda Tristão Parra at 2012-06-12 15:39:37:
Please! we'll be delighted!
Wes Holland at 2012-06-12 22:12:20:
Scott, This would be interesting and a huge benefit to all aspiring screen writers. The ability to approach a script critically and break out its structural and story components is an important skill. It would be interesting to apply this to both commercially successful and unsuccessful screenplays and then to our own work. Would this be strictly a critical review and break down skills course or would you also go into the skim and full coverage of a script skill set as well? I know the two processes are close but distinct animals. One other quick question on coverage; in character descriptions some readers use codes to identify the characters hierarchy in the story. I have seen LD used for lead and CO used for what I believe is Co-star. I have also seen FE. Is FE used for featured or featuring? Thanks again for all you do for us hacks. Cheers, Wes
Scott at 2012-06-12 22:47:49:
My approach on this series is going to be -- what else -- screenwriter oriented. So it's not about reading a script to cover, but rather a set of tools to dig into the script and UNDERSTAND it on multiple levels: structure, characters, themes, screenwriting style, etc. It's basically concretizing what I do when I'm really cracking open a script.
Wes Holland at 2012-06-12 23:37:50:
This sounds like the “write” formula and skill set then, Scott. My vote is YES – please.
Jennifer Rossini at 2012-06-13 01:10:51:
Yes, this is a great idea, and I would definitely sign up!
Trennon0 at 2012-06-13 01:42:19:
A big YES from me!!
Steven Enloe at 2012-06-13 17:09:11:
Is this a trick question?