Screenwriting : Coverage reports by Sarah Walker

Certainly it depends on the coverage, but I'd say to flat out ignore any advice your gut tells you is completely wrong, and seriously consider everything else without feeling obligated to accept it. Of course, anything in terms of professionalism - formatting, spelling, etc. - you'd better pay attention to. I write a lot of coverage, and those in a position to reply often do so with thanks and follow-up questions, which I'm happy to answer, because my suggestions are always aimed at improving the work without altering its original intentions, tone, basic story concepts and characters…if you have to throw something out and start over, it must be worthless, and rarely is even the most atrocious work entirely without merit. And don't forget: there's a difference between completely rewriting everything - which may be necessary - and throwing it all away.

I was told by a professional screenwriter on here, make an adjustment to what resinates to you in the script and go from there. Hope this helps, best of luck to you and your screenplay.

Try to re-approach your work objectively. I have found that I was able to improve my scripts when I got feedback. The goal is to make your work the best it can be, feedback/coverage is a tool that might help you do just that.

Feedback is vital. I usually try and get about 5 reviews and then look at the common problem. I then start my rewrite there. 1 review is almost useless.

Thank you very much!! I think I'll get a few more coverage reports and take a short break from the script so I can think about it objectively.

It’s always tough to get coverage back especially to those of us (like me) who are beginners. When you send it off to the reader you're sending it because you think it’s pretty darn good, right? Then you get the coverage back and for me at least I am angered and appalled. So what I do then is let it stew in my brain for a few weeks or so. I let the comments sink in, don’t obsess. I find that after the first rush of anger I’m much more objective. Like everyone said don’t feel like you have to take every single thing to they said into your rewrite. I look at the comments in two ways either A) there right and I’m wrong or more commonly B) I didn’t communicate my ideas well enough to get it across to the reader, my bad not theirs.

It all depends on whom you are getting a review from. You want a review from someone with solid credentials. :) I highly recommend using a script consultant, one with a good reputation. Someone you can actually sit down with and go over it in person or on Skype. Talk through each point. When dealing with a tough review, just take a deep breath and really take it all in. If it's too upsetting, put it down for a while and come back to it when you are feeling more objective. Seriously consider all suggestions before dismissing any. Try to separate yourself from the project. Try not to take it personally. The script is a product. It needs to stand on it's own. And, sometimes we are our own worst enemy, right? Anyway, whether you decide to make changes or not, of course, it is up to you. But, keep in mind, rewrites are a big part of the industry. Your ability to listen to suggestions or opinions, deal with possible changes, and how well you work with others is vital to your professionalism. :)

First, you have to filter what criticism you receive and determine what is valid and what is not. Some comments may make you wonder if they were reading the right story. But even that can be valuable. You have to ask yourself, did I write that section clearly enough? That may be why they didn't get it. Criticism for a writer is a gift. Learning how to take it is skill.

When you have re-written based on some of it you can distinguish how far to go in the changes.

I know this is hard, but try not to be so precious about your writing. Take all notes. Consider them. Test them. They may reveal something to you that you were blind to before...

I've changed the first 12 pages of the script a little to improve the story, but part of me is saying that this change isn't necessary. At the same time I like the change. Is this doubt just me being over protective of my work?

My coverage report highlighted spelling as an issue too - my brain thinks way faster than I can type

I keep the various drafts of my scripts, that way if the current changes just aren't working I can go back to the earlier draft and start again. I've also gone back to an older version to retrieve a scene that I dropped earlier that with a little clean up works again. I'm on a rewrite now where I turned the female love interest into a secret helper for the antagonist, (she reforms in the end.) Before (I'm on the 4th draft) she was always good, wholesome and I admit a little boring. I fought to keep her that way but I thought I'd try something different. Now she's a much stronger character and I'm liking it. Writing is all about "what ifs."

Hey Sarah, to me it sounds like you are a bit unsure. Do these changes affect the rest of the script's plot? Or do they just "trim the fat" making the opening move faster, more effectively? If so, keep it for a while, see how it reads to you a few days from now... :)

Fine tune typing and formatting before you get coverage. Mistakes can make you seem amateurish no matter how good the script is. Don't pay for that to be done. Do I yourself, or find a friend to edit typing/grammar, etc.

What Lyse said. She's a zen writing guru. The only thing I'd add is that real writers don't shower (or shave, or brush our teeth), we tan in front of our computer screens as an unscripted life passes us by... kidding, that's only me.

I've found that the key is to have multiple coverages, at least three - never just one. See what common positives and negatives are addressed and start with those. Otherwise, you're at the mercy of a stranger who really may not know what they're talking about and may not be "into" the subject/themes/genre of your script to begin with, stacking the deck against you unfairly. Too many variables with just one reader. A single coverage report, unless you know the reader well, is often close to useless. Best wishes.

Thanks, Doug!

... depends on who wrote the report? ... start from scratch... NEVER! ... if the idea and concept was worthy of my starting to write a script, creating a logline and treatment, struggling my way through to produce a vomit draft, then polishing it another two or three rewrites before allowing someone to critique my project. I would consider the good points of the coverage and ignore those unworthy of considering. Possibly it helped improve the script, maybe not? But to throw it away based on someone else's report... NEVER!

First, I cry. Then I get angry. Then I get drunk. Then I print the coverage out, fold it up, and use it for a coaster for a couple weeks. Then I unfold it, go through it to see if there's anything valid there. There usually is. In most cases, no matter how harsh it is, someone has taken the time to read your script, and are trying to help. But also remember it's opinion and it's not always right. And I'm with Curt, don't scrap it and start over from the beginning. If you need perspective, start on something new for a while before coming back to it. And remember, Stephen King threw his manuscript for Carrie into the trash after a rejection. His wife rescued it and made him send it out again.

You can MORE than one opinion, then get drunk etc. Sarah...What your vision for your project? Who is it written for? all the usual questions. I'd say.. Get your Logline, hook down.. Send out the first ten pages....Free on various sites, get some feed back from more than one source , work on the first part of the screenplay - send it out , get some feedback.. I am amazed on why screenwriter work months even years trying to fix an entire script , when the foundation doesn't hold up or they write something that nobody would want to buy. You still have to finish the script or at least no where it is going, but NAIL the first part. Cause... if the first PART aint no good , nobody is gonna look at the rest. If you like I would be glad to take a look at the first ten pages. Send the logline and Genre and any other helpful tid-bits Wdvideo@aol.com