Asking for a copy of the coverage after getting a pass

[Eleanor_of_Aquitaine]

Hi everyone,


I try to use the search option before asking a question but I couldn't find an answer for this one: A production company read my script and gave it a pass. I requested a copy of the coverage but haven't heard back from them, (they did reply quickly to my follow-up email). Should I give up?

:confused:

[-XL-]

Yep. And while it's certainly nothing to worry about I wouldn't even advise asking for the coverage in the first place. In the unlikely event that they give it to you it's doubtful you'd find it overly useful. It's the opinion of one reader, very possibly an intern, looking at things from the perspective of their company.

Move on. Query the next company. Write the next script. Even if you're very talented, and very lucky, you'll still get more passes than you can count. It's the nature of the beast.

[Eleanor_of_Aquitaine]

Thanks XL. I hope my screenplay didn't enter some "stay away from this one" list. I heard they have such lists down there in Hollywood. It's a major production company, thought their criticism could help... like, if they say, "your scripts sucks, don't bother writing another one," I can at least move on to Dream B: finding the lost Island of Atlantis in the Mediterranean Sea.

I'm working on my 3rd script, this time I'm trying to keep it low budget and PC :)

[phatgirl]

Instead of asking for the coverage, try asking if they'd mind giving you any general comments/suggestions because you'd love to incorporate their thoughts into a subsequent draft.... yada yada more brown-nosing yada.

I've done this in the past with producers and I've gotten great response and great comments.

And if they are responding to your emails, always ask if you can send them your next script. Chances are, they'll say yes just to get you to stop emailing them, but then at least you have a great opening line for your next script query. (Dear xoxo... Some time ago you read my script yoyo and mentioned you'd be happy to read my next screenplay. well, lo and behold, it's done! more yada yada yada here...)

[SBScript]

Hi everyone,


I try to use the search option before asking a question but I couldn't find an answer for this one: A production company read my script and gave it a pass. I requested a copy of the coverage but haven't heard back from them, (they did reply quickly to my follow-up email). Should I give up?

:confused:

It would be very unusual for them to give it to you.

[Eleanor_of_Aquitaine]

SBScript, I was following the Screenwriter’s Bible protocol, Page 314: "Ask for a copy on the coverage" :)

Phatgirl, I think sending another request would be overkill, but I’ll definitely follow your advice in future rejections.

Speaking of overkills and rejections:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUBMdCUYFRs (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUBMdCUYFRs)

[docgonzo]

If you know someone who works at an agency or studio, you can send them the script for coverage and have them email it back to you. Of course, this will be a different opinion, but at least you'll have some idea of why the other place might have passed.

[SoCalScribe]

SBScript, I was following the Screenwriter’s Bible protocol, Page 314: "Ask for a copy on the coverage" :)

Phatgirl, I think sending another request would be overkill, but I’ll definitely follow your advice in future rejections.

Speaking of overkills and rejections:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUBMdCUYFRs (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUBMdCUYFRs)


Most companies have a policy of not providing the coverage to writers. Typically because they want honest coverage from their readers, not qualified responses from someone afraid that the writer will see their comments. Additionally, depending on the type of coverage being done, the analysis may involve suggestions on what needs to improve and/or what should be done in order to make the script more appealing... and those "development notes" are confidential company business, especially on a project they may be considering at some point.

That doesn't mean that you'll never, ever get a copy of your coverage... but as SBScript said... it would be very unusual. Most companies just don't want to deal with the hassle of a writer who's seen coverage of his own work having a problem with it. I've been in that situation before... and believe me... some people do NOT handle seeing their coverage well. So like most things in Hollywood and in life... a few bad situations have spoiled the privilege for most everyone. :)

[kidcharlemagne]

I was given coverage twice. One by an agent's reader and one by a manager.

I was in a meeting with a WMA agent and he dug out the coverage and he said it was marked as 'consider'. He wouldn't give me the coverage though.

[Gillyflower Cooms]

You don't need to ask for coverage anymore...according to JeffLowell's "eating crow" thread, now you can just pay for it. :D

[JeffLowell]

I knew I'd regret that. ;)