Screenwriting : Script Coverage by Beulah Jones

Usually script coverage is feedback from a reader who discusses formatting, character development, plot points, dialogue and other areas of your screenplay that can be improved. Also, the "nicer ones" will let u know what they liked about your script and what should be left alone. A script writing consultant will grade your screenplay with Recommend or Pass based on whether it's ready to be released into the professional world.

Mark is part right. Coverage is the reader's report that is given to the Producer or Development Exec or Agent or Manager which will have a logline, a synopsis, and the critique of the script, usually focusing on quality and marketability. There are usually "box scores" that break down elements of the script like story, concept, characters, settings, budget and market factors as well as some other elements and grades them. And there is a pass, consider, recommend overall grade. Because an executive or agent's time is valuable, they are only going to read those very rare recommends. Often, producers never read anything but the coverage, and whole films have been made where no one read the script except that reader (until they make the film, then they have to read it.) The purpose of coverage is all about the business side and writers almost never get to read it. But as Mark says, there is also coverage that is a side business. Often these same readers will do coverage on your script for a price, and there is usually more focus on how you can improve the script.

There are basically 2 types: 1.the type that gets done on your script by a reader at an agency, prod co. etc. -- usually really brief description of the pros and cons of the script and a recommendation on what to do with it -- PASS, CONSIDER, RECOMMEND, and... 2. A full analysis of your screenplay that you pay a script consultancy or independent consultant/script doctor to do on your script. We offer the 2nd, (that you can check out at ScriptReaderPro) but you should really take your time to shop around first before spending the cash.

If you have not read all of the Wordplay articles, you need to do that... and the Indie Pro columns. Here's the article on coverage which contains actual coverage. http://www.wordplayer.com/columns/wp39.Cover.Me.html