So, a couple of years ago, I tried an experiment where I used a phony name and sent an uncirculated new spec to a couple of script coverage services that people were talking about here. (Thread here.)
Andrew, the Script Mechanic, did a great job, and I gave him a plug - if you want to see what a professional with a great eye thinks of your script, he charges a fair price. (I'm not saying anyone needs to - but if you want to, he provides a good service.)
Amanda's joined since then (http://www.scriptgal.com/), and has gotten a lot of attention, so I thought I'd repeat my experiment. I have a new spec, so I used a fake name and sent her my script for coverage.
Her notes were really smart. She addressed some things that I'd meant to do but hadn't figured out a good way to fit in, and a some things that the producer I showed it to last week also mentioned. (And some other things as well.) Basically, she nailed everything in the script that I need to address, and had some good suggestions on how to do it.
So, A plus in my book for her analysis.
And then, as an unsolicited bonus, she offered the following: "if you are looking for representation, I would be happy to refer you to some agents and managers that I like and trust. I don't ask any fee for that - it's just a delight to help talented writers move forward."
I came clean about who I really was, asked her if I could start a thread about my experiences, and here we are.
A slightly off topic point, if I may: there are a few related memes that I've tried to stomp out for years. The first is "any deviation from industry standards on formatting/style/whatever from a newcomer will get you dinged by the gatekeepers."
To give you an idea of how nonstandard my formatting is, I don't open with the words "FADE IN," instead, I open with an entire scene in italics to set it off stylistically from the scene after it. (Plus bolded sluglines!) Shots galore, asides to the reader, "we see"s and every variation thereof...
The second meme is "sure that script by X got attention - it had a pro's name on it." The name I picked is purposefully one that has no credits, and without me asking, she offered her contacts to try and get the script out there.
The third meme is related to the second - "it's impossible to get read by a rep unless you're a relative/friend/whatever." People in the industry are looking for good writing. When they find it, they're eager to pass it along - it's doing both sides a favor.
So bottom line... Amanda does a great job, and don't worry about anything but the writing.
Hopefully she'll chime in.
Andrew, the Script Mechanic, did a great job, and I gave him a plug - if you want to see what a professional with a great eye thinks of your script, he charges a fair price. (I'm not saying anyone needs to - but if you want to, he provides a good service.)
Amanda's joined since then (http://www.scriptgal.com/), and has gotten a lot of attention, so I thought I'd repeat my experiment. I have a new spec, so I used a fake name and sent her my script for coverage.
Her notes were really smart. She addressed some things that I'd meant to do but hadn't figured out a good way to fit in, and a some things that the producer I showed it to last week also mentioned. (And some other things as well.) Basically, she nailed everything in the script that I need to address, and had some good suggestions on how to do it.
So, A plus in my book for her analysis.
And then, as an unsolicited bonus, she offered the following: "if you are looking for representation, I would be happy to refer you to some agents and managers that I like and trust. I don't ask any fee for that - it's just a delight to help talented writers move forward."
I came clean about who I really was, asked her if I could start a thread about my experiences, and here we are.
A slightly off topic point, if I may: there are a few related memes that I've tried to stomp out for years. The first is "any deviation from industry standards on formatting/style/whatever from a newcomer will get you dinged by the gatekeepers."
To give you an idea of how nonstandard my formatting is, I don't open with the words "FADE IN," instead, I open with an entire scene in italics to set it off stylistically from the scene after it. (Plus bolded sluglines!) Shots galore, asides to the reader, "we see"s and every variation thereof...
The second meme is "sure that script by X got attention - it had a pro's name on it." The name I picked is purposefully one that has no credits, and without me asking, she offered her contacts to try and get the script out there.
The third meme is related to the second - "it's impossible to get read by a rep unless you're a relative/friend/whatever." People in the industry are looking for good writing. When they find it, they're eager to pass it along - it's doing both sides a favor.
So bottom line... Amanda does a great job, and don't worry about anything but the writing.
Hopefully she'll chime in.
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