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!)

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

Though I would rather have a screenwriting pill of some kind; yes, I would be drawn to this if you posted it. Thanks.

Absolutely. It's always good to get more insight in the process of others.

Fantastic idea. I'd find it extremely beneficial. Would LOVE to follow and get involved in a series like that.

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.

That would be really helpful. I wish you write this series for us.

I definitely would like to read and analyze "how to read and analyze" series!

Yes, please.

Yes please!

That's a great idea, Scott!

Yes, would love this! As well, could we take it a step further and analyze the step from script to screen?

Certainly, it's the cover_age - after all! :)

That would be wonderful!

I vote +1 for this too.

Yes please!

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!!!

Echoing the above, I think it's a great idea for a series.

Great idea for a series, Scott.

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.

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.

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.

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)!

Would be terrific.

Yes, please!

This would be great!

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?

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?

That sounds a great idea (for us, at least).

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.

tht wud be a gr8 idea!...i always wanted to know abt it!

Yes please!

Yes, please!

Please! we'll be delighted!

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

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.

This sounds like the “write” formula and skill set then, Scott. My vote is YES – please.

Yes, this is a great idea, and I would definitely sign up!

A big YES from me!!

Is this a trick question?