Screenwriting : Over-Splaining Much? by GJ Harvey

I got some coverage back recently where it almost seemed like the reader just scimmed the script. They mentioned supporting characters at the beginning of the story and left out major characters throughout. I've been reading more and more about readers not reading an entire script.

But I also know that sometimes, when I'm watching a movie or TV show, if you miss one line of dialogue, you can be scratching your head for the next hour. So if expounding on what the reader missed doesn't become too expositional, I'd find a way to incorporate the note.

Usually, that could mean there’s something in the writing itself that is causing reader confusion. It may not be as clear to others as you think it is or maybe the plot isn’t quite as logical? Having someone read something cold, a reader who is completely unfamiliar with the material is a great way to test for story logic and clarity. Generally speaking, a writer must incite or invite a reader/audience to engage, to meet them halfway, and participate in the story experience. Spoon feeding information is too boring. Not giving enough is irksome. It’s often best striking a creative balance and trusting your audience.

Now, if you feel this particular reader was negligent in some way then try a different reader. If the same confusion or similar reaction happens again, then that could be a sign to double-check for possible clarity and story logic issues in your screenplay. ;) Hope that helps some!

Always use more than one coverage services to cover all your bases. That's one way to find out if the problem is related to your writing or, because of someone doing a sloppy job.

Several times. It's really a mystery as to what some people take from your script and I wish there were a way to explain it more. Some times I'll just go back and see if there were any moments I thought "this explains why that happened" and just expand it further. It sounds terrible but don't aim to high for most people.

Learning from experience,

1. It's better if you have a meeting in person or call, oftentimes you would get to know if they have skimmed or there is indeed a plot hole etc in your content.

2. Use another professional service and count their advice too.

3. Write and improve on the next draft anyway; if there are confusions in your readers.

The potential mistake here is defaulting to blaming yourself. This is why paying for feedback can be a very dangerous game when you have little experience of people reactions to reads. The little seeds of doubt can grow and grow.

You pretty much have your answer. They specified not understanding things that were explained. That pretty much concludes they were skimming. Don't beat yourself up. Skimming is so common it's pretty much the default, especially for paid reads.

That all said, how much you hold the reader's hand is subject to the kind of material being proposed. If you watch a Fast & Furious movie, you'll often see scenes which have characters saying "So, why are we here again?" or something similar to remind the audience of the plot. That's because they know their audience and the nature of how they'll watch those movies. If you're writing something relatively artsy and clever like The Neon Demon, you totally get to be vague. abstract, and inconclusive because that's part of the value to the intended audience.

Best thing you can do, and any writer in your position can do, is to shake the notion of a Goldilocks script which is pushed on people by peers, fake gurus, and predatory services. People engage with scripts on the most tenuous and bizarre levels and, when they do, forgive a multitude of sins that can be easily changed. Those who don't engage with scripts will always dig for objective reasons why but rarely admit or tap in to the real cause.

Get your coverage, take the good parts, and move on. Keep learning, keep writing. If something keeps coming up, give it consideration but still only ever consideration.

Yes to this, and up until recently, I've fallen foul to rewriting to accommodate this. Then I realised they were clearly not giving the read/report the time it deserved. Perhaps though, sometimes there's mileage in analysing what they're missing, just not necessarily taking their suggestions. Someone once said to me: "feedback is the breakfast of champions." We have to have thick skin in this game and look for silver linings around the darkest of clouds.

Hi, Martin. It's also about learning how to decipher feedback if you choose to get it and, of course, it highly depends on from whom you get that feedback. Anonymous readers from competitions are often not the best route for getting helpful feedback. Know who is giving you notes. It's also about gaining experience. It's learning how to be objective about your own work. If different readers (peer, paid or not paid reviewers, family, friends, etc) are confused about the same moment or thing in your script, then objectively there really may be a need to go back and make adjustments to make your creative choices more clear. Sometimes, it's merely changing a few words that clear something up, say, the use of too many pronouns—who did what now? It can also be a means to better your product, which is separate from "you" the person. You certainly decide what notes to take or not take. It's also your screenplay and your work. You are the writer. Keep in mind coverage is not notes. Coverage is for and from the producer's perspective. Notes are for writers. But, honestly, as Dan M said above, you gotta figure out writing for yourself. Read a ton of screenplays. Study them. What works. What does not. Make your own creative leaps. Take bits here and there either from feedback or from mentors or from screenwriters whose work you enjoy or from any and all other resources to form your own opinion and style. ;) Hope that helps!

Hi, Greg. I had a very bad experience with a reader whose notes I paid goof money for. It isn't like the reader made one or two minor mistakes that could be considered within the realm of reason. He or she consistently got all the strongest points as wrong as possible! Nobody I have discussed this with since understands how it could have happened. Am I being too "precious" about my script? Not according to those who have read it and the notes I was given. I subsist on $300 a month from Social Security. This has made me wary of trusting the expenditure for notes ever again. I really want to submit to Diverse Voices, but then the ugly doubt created by that notes experience has stopped me cold.

If you're on a limited budget, borrow craft books from the library and sift through the tonnes of free advice online. Use free sites like this and LinkedIn to network. Gambling on notes and competitions in that situation is crazy but sadly all too common. Plenty of people out there who'll just take your money and you'll likely end up more confused and desperate than you started with little in the way of craft skills development to show for it.

This might help; Building Craft and Breaking In; Three Budgets for Aspiring Screenwriters

THANKS, CJ -- I do free online stuff as much as possible. I will definitely take a look at the links you shared. Blessings to you & all ... stay safe!

Thanks everyone, you're all great - the insight and feedback is well appreciated :-)