Screenwriting : Script consulting by Rori Heffes Doon

Probably writing screenplays and doing swapsies with other people and contributing to feedback is a good way to go. Word of mouth spreads that your advice is good and that what you've contributed had value in the end. Maybe someone else has different thoughts on this, but this is what I do and usually folks call me back to look at the rest of their screenplays when they aren't sure what needs fixing.

Learn storytelling, story structures and genres inside and out. You'll be light years ahead of all and very much in demand. And write, write, write!

This place is a good start. To parrot what Audrey already said, script swapping and offering feedback is a smart practice. Personally, I like to pay my proofreaders, but there are a lot of other writers on this platform looking for pro-bono consultation/editing/proofreading.

Get a job at an agency/mail room, or management company. All you do there is read stacks of scripts; I lasted 6 months reading 30 to 50 scripts a week, while working 50-hrs a week. Probably should be young (20s) & single, without huge bills.

While on the job, your brain will eventually know what's good writing and what's bad writing.

Goodluck!

Become a script reader I’m working on this too as I want to get into development. Script Karma had a class online for very cheap. Reach out to contests to tead for them. Obviously AFF is at the bottom if the totem pole but a place to start practicing. Bluecat is another place that considers inexperienced readers. Then move up (Coverfly, Nicholl, Page). Also internships is where the script reading jobs mostly go to for studios. Or work as an assistant for an agency (but then expect to also do things like pick-up lunch).

Oh also Coverfly X is a peer to peer reading/notes system. You read scripts for tokens that you can use to get others to read your scripts. The writers rank the quality of your notes.

Hi Rori, let’s move this concept to another industry.

“I would like to teach people to drive a formula1 car”.

How good a driver do you think you need to be to do that?

Now before you can charge writers for your advice. You need to be a writing god. Please do not become part of the scam.

Oh Craig! You have a point! Was thinking ‘at least’ ten years of effort to feel confident as a writer. To think of someone breezing in, doing a quick course or reading scripts then giving notes or even filtering projects for decision makers. Wow!