Screenwriting : When to ignore the reader/reviewer by Matthew Kelcourse

For me, the classic will always be the Black List reader who kept referencing the futuristic gun in my script that was actually an M2 Browning that went into service in 1933.

Lol I watch wrestling and "pile driver" (to me) means slamming a person into ground, head-first. Not sure what's a pile driver of a punch- is that like a "Super-man" punch?

Anyways, most salary readers generally pass on script; that's just the way it is. Now, I dont know what script service Readers do- their endgame is repeat business.

To anyone who isn't clear about what a pile-driver truly is, you can google it: a machine use to pound pilons into the ground when building a pier/elevated structure ;-) That should explain a pile-driver punch ;-)

If I remember correctly, Batfleck used a pile-driver punch at the end of the warehouse scene. He punched the guy in the face in a downward motion so hard that he went face-first into the floor and broke it open. In this video, it's at the 2:14 mark: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7GWGLkPepU

I consider all notes, Matthew Kelcourse, but I'll ignore a note if I feel like it'll hurt my script or the note doesn't make sense.

The problem with professional readers are....they are usually anonymous and one cannot vet their expertise. Save your money, trust your gut. And if you want a good reader, send it to an established actor. My two cents.

True, Maurice - even a blind squirrel... But any feedback that hints of inexperience or immaturity in just a line or two carries less weight for me. Just my way ;-)

In my Romantic-Drama "Another You" the female lead attempts to draw the attention of the male lead by seeing if he'll voluntarily light her cigarette. Oh yea, FYI: this scene happens in 1967 at a college-area bar. Well, the reviewer opined...."that's unrealistic because it wouldn't happen." Well, the story is based partially on my life and that's EXACTLY how I met her in 1967". So, I dumped the entire review in the trash, A case of invincible ignorance" (a theological concept but totally apra pos).

Michael Elliott Trust your gut.

In my book Goptri of the Mists: Kitab Ek, I have a race of beings who resemble rats and use four letter names only. In one case,, I had a a young character, on his naming day, chooses Lrrt thus earning the line from another, "Good choice, son. The world needs more Lrrts." (as in Alert). Anyway, one beta reader missed the joke, which is fine, but then damned the book to the dustbin of history for not taking as solemn ceremony seriously.

Given the definition of piledriver in wrestling, it appears the usage of "punch" is incorrect. A note here that the reader either A) knows wrestling, or B) researched. The latter is beyond the call of duty.

Not much can be said to corroborate or denounce the read of the dialogue. A suggestion to post the script and coverage here for feedback to assess whether the reader's notes fly or not. We only have your word that it's realistic futurespeak.

Stephen....since that review, that script (I'll Never Find) Another You has won top prize in two major contests and now is in the Top 1% on Coverfly.

;)

If you want to see a 'Pile Driver Punch' then rewatch REAL STEEL. You won't be disappointed.

@Matthew (No one knows how people will be speaking in the future.) That reader needs to be replaced, tell him to have a happy life... Press on Bro, onward. :)

Even when notes don't feel particularly helpful it's good to consider why the note was given. For example I got notes about how the tech in the future society I was writing about was already outdated or too similar to what exists today. It didn't feel like a particularly helpful note because I had designed that tech to be that way on purpose, but what it did tell me was I hadn't made the state of the world clear enough to show why the tech was like that.

I paid a "pro script reader" to read my book series and tell me if it would be worthwhile to convert them into screenplays. While complimentary about the story and my writing style, rating two books as "recommend" and one as "consider" (which I thought was weird, given they are a connected series...), two things made me question the validity of the feedback and if she'd actually read the books: #1 She misspelled Jakin's name in ALL of her notes. This is not a difficult name to spell...? And #2 She stated that book two started with a funeral because book one ended with a village being massacred. Um, no. The village was massacred in Chapter Five of book one (out of twenty-nine chapters) and book one ended with a celebratory party during a lunar eclipse.

I took what I could from the feedback that felt valid to me, and disregarded the rest because I just didn't feel like she'd actually read the books cover to cover. At most, she skimmed them. It was a disappointing experience, but a lesson learned, too.

LOL - J. That's why the laugh - singles out the ones to assign to the kiddies table ;-)

Just to the left of the writers.

I once wrote a script with a single scene in an elementary school classroom with a kid learning French. Just a scene to establish the kid was smart. Well . A pro reader wrote TWO WHOLE PAGES (out of 3 total pages) about what an idiot I was because no public school teaches French. That was the only note I received. And I got a Pass.

Michael David Holy crap. It kind of makes it a little easier to not take the pass personally when they're that clueless. LOL

Michael David J'ai appris le français de base en septième année.

Wow lol so I’m not alone.

You get what you pay for. Cheapie coverage firms pay their readers a pittance. Like $30 to $40/script. What do you expect.

There's one umbrella company that runs many, many contests and performs about 85% of cheapie coverage in the US. Some sites surreptitiously sub-contract to them and jack the price up but it's the same crappy service.

If you want better notes, pay for them. $150 is the going rate.

Bill McCormick En france? Quelle belle!

E Langley Is there a company you like in particular?

Michael David gracias.

PM, Michael.

E Langley I'd love to know, too. I paid $300 per book and got crap. LOL