I think I need to print this list of questions out and keep it next to my computer.

I do like that the Can this be made into a movie? and Will people watch it? questions come at the end of the list. Only because if you are a script reader and you give everything else high marks you are going to feel compelled to answer yes to these questions. If they were at the beginning it would be too easy to over-think the questions and dismiss something that was new and different, but was also a very worthwhile script.

Those are all EXCELLENT questions.

Thanks Scott

- E.C. Henry from Bonney Lake, WA

What I take away from this is that there is not and should not be any aspect of my script that should go unquestioned ... that it's good to ask questions about everything and make sure every word, choice and idea has a specific purpose.

I'm with Joshua. Question everything.

Figure out what you have to do. Then make it so.

I took Barney Lichtenstein's reader course through the UCLA extension writer's program, and these are among the points of analysis we used there. Barney also had us identify the target market and assess how, and how well, the scripts we covered appealed to that (or those) market segment(s).

Looking at the questions now, they remind me how wise it is to apply analytical techniques -- when planning, writing and rewriting -- to create an emotionally powerful, commercially viable, work.

I'm a script reader, and this is much more guidance than we ever got. It's actually pretty handy.

Scott: Speaking of readers, you might be interested in my new blog, http://screenwritingtips.tumblr.com. I started posting short tips from a reader's perspective on Twitter, and people suggested I collect them on a blog. Check it out. :)

Xander, great blog. Would you email me at scottdistillery@gmail.com? I'd like to ask you something about following up on this current series of script coverage posts.

I'll post today about your site and add to my blogroll.