Screenwriting : Coverage issue by Steven M. Cross

The first time I ordered coverage from Stage 32, it was very helpful and a positive experience. I could tell the reader took her time. See my testimonial! The second (and last) time was ridiculous and super disappointing. It was far from the "detailed feedback" promised. The reader wanted MORE exposition (!) and complained that my "hook" came too early (page 8). He offered ONE specific example in my script (about dialogue) and the rest was verbose fluff about writing in general. Not unkind at all--he was actually very nice--but completely unhelpful and not the point of getting feedback. I figured out who the reader was, and his screenwriting credentials were underwhelming. It has given me pause. I also received the feedback well past the 72 hour "guarantee."

I'd suggest a tactful, specific email so Stage 32 is made aware, but don't expect anything in return. (I wasn't even offered a coupon.) That said, every platform has its plusses and minuses. I learn a lot here and am grateful for the lounges and blogs. Good luck!

Coverage can be a crapshoot as you never know if the material will connect with the reader. I suggest an email but keep your expectations in check. Take whatever you can out of the notes, hopefully there's something in there that'll help.

Sorry to hear that Steven and Andrea. My first question, "Did you ask Jason, what exec or reader they think would fit your script?" Did you convey the premise, arc of your story convincing enough? If not, you might have a reader whose criteria is elevated horror giving "notes" on your B-story, melodramatic horror, or a contained horror dramedy. As you know "Reader's notes" can be very subjective. Never take it personally, even if the notes can be somewhat personal sounding. I know many aspiring writers who basically quit the industry from negative feedback on their scripts! But you have to believe in your STORY above all else. Only you can tell it. Only you know where your protagonist is going and how she/he will get there.

Complain to Stage 32 management and ask for another coverage/notes (free).

Steven M. Cross what coverage did you buy? Did you get coverage specifically from a producer listed or did you just send it to an anonymous reader? I would send an email to Jason who most likely will read the feedback as well as read your script and decide on the options! Best of luck - the next time when you send out your script you can ask Jason who would be the best option to do coverage and he will surely give you a few names and best to send them to specific executives rather than just people who have no names! Best!

Amazing Kacee Kacee, I got the package of coverage from an industry pro, but I didn't get a name. I just got the peron's credentials which were very good, but I wasn't very pleased with the coverage.

Steven M. Cross I would email script services which I believe is Jason and/or Angela depending on what you paid for the service and what the reader stated in their coverage you may very well get a free one most likely Jason will do it. Every time I am dissatisfied with something on this platform Jason or Angels always makes it right each and every time so go ahead and send a nice email. Best of luck to you and do not let this one bad coverage stop you from writing and moving forward toward your dreams!

Amazing Kacee It isn't going to stop me from writing. The curious thing is that the coverage wasn't bad. In fact, the reader praised me for a couple of things, but its very generic quality made me realize that this person had not read the entire script. Honestly, if you had read my script and then read the coverage, you would know exactly what I mean.

Great question. I think for you maybe finding a script reader, that would read your entire script make it clear. If you need that type of support. Most judges, or producers can tell based on the first 10 pages, the style of your story, since we have read hundreds of screenplays, and stories.

But for you at this stage maybe a producer, agent, manager or script reader that can give you a full breakdown, or your script is what your looking for. I hope this helps.

There are times I've felt the same way. Despite everything you do, no matter how proud if it you are, some people just don't get it.

S32 is my favorite script coverage service. I've yet to be disappointed. Perhaps in part it's because I usually use the "premium" service in which one can hand select the reader, and these execs are likely more senior than the anonymous readers. Plus when a reader's real name is used it's a fairly sure bet some decent elbow grease will go into the coverage.

@ Eric Christopherson, you are totally correct. If your script is in your eyes "READY FOR MARKET" then premium notes are the way to go! The exec does a thorough breakdown of what works and what doesn't for the market! But If your script is still in its 1st draft then just getting notes from a pro reader or intern can be helpful but also can be discouraging.

My advice is Steven is to OUTLINE the script (I know a lot of writers dread this approach). But it will save you time and MONEY if your plan is to have your script picked up by a director, studio, or production company. Then send it in for notes to see if the story actually works. The mechanics are in place. The story engine is chugging along nicely. But if it's artsy, independent, and outer-worldly in it's the approach to a story....PRODUCE IT YOURSELF. Because ONLY YOU can tell that story. BTW, It won't get past the eyes that have been trained under the Hollywood formula (Save the Cat, Hero's Journey, etc)

Let me really emphasize this point! There is a BIG DIFFERENCE between a $200/$300 read from an Exec (with producing credits: movies/streaming) to a $40/$50 notes given by an assistant or Intern. Yes, both will give great feedback, but one will be evaluated with invaluable knowledge of what's NOW and can SELL in the marketplace.

You're right, DD Myles. I had a 30-minute consultation call with Michael Wormser last month (Stage 32's "Feature Script Read/30-minute Talk with Executive" service). It was a great experience, and the notes helped my script.

It sounds like Steven and I both paid for the $99 coverage service, which promises "3-5 pages of detailed feedback focusing on strengths and weaknesses..." It's touted for writers "workshopping a first draft and looking for guidance on your rewrite" and the reader supposedly has at least 5 years of experience in the industry. To be clear, we aren't talking about a $50 service here or outlining or interns. If you read what the $99 coverage service promises, it's exactly what I was looking for at that time--detailed feedback for an early draft. I had terrific, actionable feedback the first time I contracted for this service, so I didn't hesitate to try it again.

Unfortunately, I received misguided (but kind) advice from a guy whose claim to fame is a very successful novel--hence the advice for MORE exposition and moving my hook to the end of the first act (!). When I looked into the reader more and saw that his book was converted to a screenplay BY TWO OTHER WRITERS, I guess I don't feel he should've been the one to critique mine. (His comments would've been great for someone writing a manuscript.) All of that said, I wouldn't mind meeting him for a beer sometime because it seems like he'd be a great conversationalist!

That reader did you a favor.

Readers miss things. Then their coverage represents your script. So that is a problem you have to face, even if it's the reader's fault.

If you're focused on nuances that get lost, and readers do indeed fail to track these nuances, your script may be too hard to understand.

Hollywood screenwriters used to say: show everything three times--once for the clever viewer, once for the slow viewer, and the third time for the person sleeping in the back row.

Now that is a bit extreme. But if you want to get your money's worth, list the things that were left out, and go through your script and see how you can make them harder to miss.

I had a pro read one of my scripts, and he missed some key details. But I realized: they weren't that important. And the one he thought caused confusion--that was something I needed to fix. So whatever the reason, the burden falls on us as writers. And it's an opportunity to find ways to write so we're understood.

For what it's worth.

Steven. So you want feedback on the feedback. If the professional had only read about half the script you should ask for your money back. I am just glad I don’t pay for feedback.

Stage 32 did let me have free feedback on another project. I thank them for that. Just for your information, I will use them again. I read an article written by a produced and optioned writer who tried out some coverage services in order to critique their sevices. He had nothing but praise for Stage 32.

anybody else every feel like they're constantly trying to be sold something lol

Steven: It sounds like you were treated like a valued customer. That's great!

James: Oof! Four pages??? That's insulting. Wow. I understand your frustration. Obviously, I've been frustrated, too. In the end, I won't throw good money after bad, so now I go elsewhere for feedback. While my trust in feedback from this site has diminished, there are many good (and free) things offered by Stage 32--especially the Sunday Coffee & Content.

I think this is a very difficult area indeed. There are so many things that can derail your seemingly simple desire for an objective, helpful outside expert. One never knows how much of a frustrated filmmaker the person reading your screenplay is, etc. I had the grave misfortune of hiring Industrial Scripts.. quite expensive, loads of blurb about how good they are. However, the guy they gave my teen horror screenplay to compared it to three films, all of them full on 18 rated movies and of course, mine fell short as a result and failed.

I objected, illustrating my beef, but they refused any refund: Offered another set of eyes, but by that time, the script had already placed in two international screenplay comps, so I told them where they could go. What I will say about Stage32 is that they have always listened to criticism and been reasonable, even if it takes a little while for it to happen.

If it were me, I'd politely illustrate the exact situation and correspondence and leave it to them to form their own view . They are always interested in our feedback on their performance, as much as the people they enlist the skills of, so I'd lay it at their feet and see what they decide. Good luck and don't allow this setback to stop the process of writing..

Andrea, I totally understand and empathize with you! $99 is nothing to play with (Bills, food, etc.) But as I said in the earlier post. I paid for $200+ premium for 2 pages of notes. And my Exec was none other than the wonderful "Kaley Smalley Romo" Executive Producer on "Sleepy Hollow, Lucifer, etc." She has credits on "Underworld" She fell in love with my protagonists and story premise. Encouraged me to create a visual Bible for buyers. Told me what characters to center on my rewrite Just wonderful advice and guidance!

Complain to Stage 32 and at the very least they should offer you a new analyst, a refund, or credit

If something like that happens, Stage32 usually is very helpful in discounting (up to 100%) another executive. That said, make sure you weren't fooled by your own pride.

I had a similar experience when an executive told me he had researched me and talked more about me and wanted general Questions than he talked about the script. It felt he crossread the script and googled me for two minutes and I was like "OK, he had some generic points that applied, but I expected much more for my money."

He also hinted me at two books and that also felt very generic to me. Long story short, I read those books and together with what he said, it was eye opening. I did a rewrite and the new version is at least two leagues better than the old one was.

This exec understood where I am on my writers journey and took me from there to the next level. If he could do so after 10 Minutes of preparation, that's fine for me, because I got what I paid for: help.

Heinz, it wasn't a case of my own pride. If anything I probably don't have enough pride in my work because in the last few years I have come far, but I know that I have not come far enough. That's why I get coverage. I'm not looking for some false pick-me-up. I want honest criticism. I teach writing (essays, not creative) and I tell my students they will never get better unless they learn to take constructive criticism. The criticism I got was obviously not given over the full script, so in essence, it did me no good at all. I recently got some criticism on another script, and it pointed out some serious deficiencies. I was grateful because I needed someone to point them out to me. I am happy to say that Stage 32 has given me a free coverage. I'm satisfied.

Steven - I agree with those who recommend that you inform Stage 32 that you believe you were not afforded a full review of your screenplay. I am confident that they will rectify your problem. I get the sense that the folks here work hard to do the right thing. It's not only about doing the right thing for people but also doing the right thing for building their brand - which has taken off. But you have to keep them informed. Keep us posted! All the Best!