Readers

[creativexec]

General info for those interested in "reader"
positions:


If you've read before, you should prepare
a portfolio consisting of three coverages -
one "recommend," one "consider," and one
"pass."

Get the Hollywood Creative Directories and
cold call every Story Department, CE,
Story Editor, and Director of Development
at every agency and prodco.

Ask them if you can send your resume and
sample coverages.

If they say they are not hiring, ask if you
can send it anyway to be put on "file."
If your sample coverage is phenomenal,
they may want to meet with you.

If the prodco or agency is interested, they
will provide you with a screenplay (sans
the title page) to be covered (as a test of
your ability) with no remuneration.

This coupled with your portfolio and an
interview can land you a gig.

If you have NO experience in covering
scripts, you need to land an internship
that will enable you to write coverage.
(Internships are great. Several of my
interns have landed gigs throughout
town - even at my agency.)

If you have no experience and no
internship possibilities, you often need to
know someone who can get you in.

GOOD reading jobs are difficult to find.

"Good" is defined as reasonable pay
(for covering scripts) which runs between
$50 - $60 a screenplay. (More for books
and extended coverage.) And can give you
at least 10 scripts a week. 10 scripts a
week would make for a 30 - 40 hour
work week. (However, new readers will
take much longer at first.) This work
week is at your own pace and leisure (unless
it is a "rush").

One will rarely find readers' jobs in listings
because they are filled pretty quickly -
usually internally.

Good luck.

[DogSoldier347]

Thank You-

That was exactly the roadmap I was looking for. I really appreciate you taking the time to write that down.

Appreciative-

Dogsoldier

[DogSoldier347]

I know a reader at ICM. I trained at the Goundlings with him. He used to be Action Man...I think his name is Mark. English guy.

Thanks again.

DogSoldier

[creativexec]

You're welcome. I meant to post that in your
thread, but I'm having all sorts of problems
here today.

[E J Pennypacker]

What if you don't know anyone. Don't have any experience in reading professional screenplays that include coverage.

Can you write coverage of a already produced screenplay, and then submit that to companies?

EJ

[creativexec]

Execs like to see that sample coverage
was written under the auspices of an
agency or prodco. They like a company
logo at the top of the report.

If you decide to write your very own
sample coverage, I would suggest you
read a recent spec script or something
in pre-production.

Reading and critiquing a script AFTER
having seen the film could influence -
what should be - an objective opinion
of the screenplay.

[E J Pennypacker]

Thanks for the response.

Bill, Will & Charlie -- Give this thread a few days then throw it into the FAQ section. I think it's worth saving.

EJ

[Unanimous]

I second that. :)