What Is Script Coverage?
Script coverage is a critical review of a screenplay or script that is carried out by a reader, usually a professional script reader, who is employed by a production company or studio. The purpose of the coverage is to evaluate the script in order to decide whether or not it is worth further consideration. Script coverage can be used to assess the suitability of a script for production, and to identify potential areas of improvement.
Script coverage reviews are usually written in a standardized format, and typically include an overall evaluation as well as a summary of the plot, characters, dialogue, structure, and other elements of the script. Script coverage often includes notes on the script’s strengths and weaknesses, and may provide an assessment of its commercial potential. It may also contain comments on the script’s production value, and the writer’s ability to craft a good story.
The Elements of a Script Coverage
Script coverage typically includes the following elements: a logline, synopsis, assessment of the script, and notes. The logline is a brief summary of the story, usually no more than one sentence. The synopsis provides a more detailed summary, typically a few paragraphs. The assessment of the script includes an evaluation of the script’s strengths and weaknesses, and the writer’s ability to craft a story. The notes may include comments on the dialogue, characters, structure, and other elements of the script.
The Benefits of Script Coverage
Script coverage can be a valuable tool for writers and producers alike. For writers, it can provide valuable feedback on their scripts, allowing them to improve their work before submitting it to potential production companies. For producers, it can save them time and money by quickly weeding out scripts that are not suitable for production.
Script coverage can also be used as a way to compare different scripts and identify the best one for a particular project. By comparing different scripts, producers can determine which one best fits their needs and budget. Script coverage can also be used to determine the marketability of a project. By providing an assessment of the script’s commercial potential, producers can determine whether or not it is worth investing time and money into.
How to Write a Good Script Coverage
Writing a good script coverage is not easy. It requires a thorough understanding of the script, as well as a good grasp of the craft of storytelling. A good script coverage should be concise, objective, and should provide an honest assessment of the script’s strengths and weaknesses.
When writing a script coverage, it is important to keep in mind the project’s goals and target audience. It is also important to be aware of the script’s genre, as this will affect the type of notes and feedback included in the coverage. Additionally, it is important to be aware of the writer’s skill level, as this will affect the type of feedback given.
Tips for Writing a Good Script Coverage
When writing a script coverage, it is important to keep the following tips in mind:
- Be concise and to the point.
- Write objectively, without bias.
- Provide an honest assessment of the script.
- Keep in mind the project’s goals and target audience.
- Be aware of the script’s genre.
- Be aware of the writer’s skill level.
- Include suggestions for improvement, if applicable.
Example of a Script Coverage
Here is an example of a script coverage written for a comedy script:
Logline: A group of friends embark on a wild weekend road trip to Las Vegas.
Synopsis: The story follows a group of friends who decide to take a wild weekend road trip to Las Vegas. Along the way, they encounter a variety of obstacles and unexpected adventures.
Assessment: This is a fun, entertaining script with a lot of potential. The dialogue is witty and the characters are well-developed. The structure is well-crafted and the story moves at a good pace. The script could benefit from a few minor tweaks to make it more marketable.
Notes: The story could be made more marketable by making the characters more relatable. The dialogue could be tightened up and made more humorous. The structure could be improved to give the story more momentum.
Conclusion
Script coverage is an important tool for both writers and producers. It provides an objective assessment of a script and can be used to help determine its commercial potential. Writing a good script coverage requires an understanding of the script and the craft of storytelling. It is important to be concise, objective, and honest when writing a script coverage. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your script coverage is accurate and helpful.