shall I pay a professional to analyze my script?

Why don't you start with posting the first ten pages in the "share your work" forum? The password is "vista". Then you can have someone who isn't your friend comment on it without paying a dime. And the people here can direct you to the kind of help your script needs.

Sorry, I can't answer your question. It's your decision. If you think it's going to help, and if you can afford it, go for it.

I selected "Search this Forum" and entered "analyst" which gave me a screenload of results including these threads:

script consultants???
http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=46997

Best & most legitimate professional script consultants?
http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4606

Script Analysis
http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13289

-Derek

Unless you enjoy pointless rewriting with no clear goal, my answer would have to be 'No'.

Controversial? Well, possibly. The thing is, every pro you speak to will have different ideas of what your rewrites should be, and there is no guarantee that, even if you do these rewrites brilliantly, that the person who really matters, the person who is in a position to buy your script, will agree that they were the right rewrites. It may even put them off. It's such a matter of personal taste.

I think it's much much better to work on the script yourself, get it as good as you can while remaining true to your own vision and voice, and offer it up to the real people of power. At least then if they see a glint of gold in your work you can be sure they are responding to you, rather than your hired professional.

I couldn't disagree more and not because I charge for coverage.

I don't pay for coverage, but I do pay for an professional editor to check over my spelling, grammar and typos, because those are my weak areas that require outside intervention.

If you have weak areas in structure, dialog, formatting, and you have read the books, read the produced scripts, watched the dvd's, and still have a weakness, then you need outside pro help.

For those people who do not have a network of readers with some experience (writer's groups, mentors, even here, etc...) having a pro read and critique your work is a valuable tool.

But with any tool, you must know when to use it and not abuse it.

Just because you did a great job putting those shelves up with that hammer, doesn't mean you will carry that hammer everywhere and use it for tuning your car, replacing a battery in your watch, etc...

Although everything Goldminer states is true, the true purpose of a pro reviewer is not to change your story around, but to make what you have now the strongest it can be with regards to structure, format and dialog.

A pro reviewer should give you a clear goal, if not, then I wouldn't use that person again (and I would even ask for your money back)...

Now of course, a script is never perfect and a producer will surely ask for more rewrites, even after the check clears, but a producer will not enjoy your script and see those glimmers of gold if it is chock full of formatting, structural and dialog problems.

So, if you are great with formatting, have a great sense of structure and always have outstanding dialog then you do not need pro coverage, but if not, then find one you like and use sparingly.

I would always email a pro reviewer first and ask what you get for your money. Their website may state it, but it's good to reaffirm. See if you can get a sample or an initial free consultation. shop around and don't pay thousands or even more than a few hundred.

paying for coverage is fine if you can afford it.

but i highly suggest you post pages here first.

Does your friend know anyone else from film school who is looking for a script? I would also recommend posting some if it in share your work.

Why not join a writer's group for some free feedback? Or enter it into a legitimate contest that includes coverage? You never know what your going to get when you pay for coverage, unless you know the person and their background.

Joe Calabrese said:

For those people who do not have a network of readers with some experience (writer's groups, mentors, even here, etc...) having a pro read and critique your work is a valuable tool.

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I want to make that clear. I would use all your free avenues first. And if you use a pro, make sure he/she has some credentials.

If you have the money, why not? I have no objection to procurement of quality services. Just make sure they have the right credentials. "I love movies" is not a good credential.

anikad said:

I wrote my script and gave it to my friend that went through film school and she said it was really good and I should be very proud of myself for it being my first script.

Shall I fork out the dough and hand it over to some skilled eyes to rip it to shreds?

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I think you should absolutely not fork out the dough. The way it sounds, you're not ready for that kind of feedback, and you should save your money until you're ready.

Have you posted parts of your script on sites like this? Have you read a lot of scripts? Do you how to format a spec script? Do you know what professional readers expect when they read dialogue, action, and description?

I think the more you know about the craft, the more you'll benefit from a critique by one skilled in the art and craft of screenplays.

Paying for advice, can be very helpful, if it is the right person. Do your research and find a good person. I agree, free stuff first, until you can get it as good as possible. Then, if you're still getting good stuff, but not quite there, then get a professional opinion.

I paid a professional and he did make it better. He didn't change the story or tell me how to write, he basically would say this scene worked, this one didn't, what happened to character so and so. Could you embellish him?

I liked it when he told me a character, one of the bad guys died too easily and quickly, he wanted me to expand the agony, give the reader something to hold on too.

He also suggested a scene be added in a certain area although he didn't tell me what it should be, but that something was needed for the overall structure. After much thinking, I did add a scene and it turned out to be one of my favorites.

I would like to add on a side note that if you are looking for money quick, writing is one of the worst fields to go into. It takes time and most never make it.

Film students do not equal money, if you are looking for money look for a top agent and submit. If you can score a top agent then your chances of a sale are higher than if you are doing it alone. Then they have to do the rounds and you might get an option and blah blah blah. Point is, don't hold your breath for a quick sale or any sale at all. Polish this one up, start submitting it, get feedback, work on your next one.

In terms of developing writers, I think the critique board here is possibly the WORST place to post your work.

Random, unqualified, overwhelmingly hostile, often frought with ignorant heavy-handedness.

It doesn't offer a nurturing environment. Which is what creatives need. To thrive. Especially in the early days. I mean, the only thing that's important for new writers is that they keep writing.

The rest they tend to seek out for themselves.

What? I'm being bad. Why isn't anyone hitting me over the head?
Xhouseboy must still be drunk.

Anyway, I don't want to kill the critique board.

But when it's full of seedlings and new growth, and you go stomping all over it, well then it suffers. Or it dies.

You don't have to lie. Or gush. Just a teensy-weensy little nudge in the right direction.

Thank God you're here, winter, to show us the way!

I'm taking the hint (your numerous, numerous hints actually) and stepping back from critiquing. Over to you. The critique forum's seedlings and new growth await your nurturing advice.

-Derek

winter said:

Random, unqualified, overwhelmingly hostile, often frought with ignorant heavy-handedness.It doesn't offer a nurturing environment. Which is what creatives need. To thrive. Especially in the early days. I mean, the only thing that's important for new writers is that they keep writing

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Surely, you must be talking about story meetings with producers, right?


Seriously....

The reviews here are no better or worse than my writers groups that meet in person every month. And I have had story meetings with producers who have shredded my work as gently as a rhino in a buttercup field.

In this business, you better develop a thick, indestructible skin, otherwise you will quit and good ridden to you.

You will get negativity every step of the way, no matter how good you are. You must be a good writer but also a good debater, negotiator and peacemaker. You must know when to compromise, when to stand your ground (almost never happens though) and when to bend over and take it like a...

As for reviews here or anywhere. You will always have bad reviews that make you feel bad, whether here, at a meeting, triggerstreet, whatever... Take those comments that repeat and take them to heart. Take those random makes no sense comments and throw them out a window.
But if someone says something that you agree with, then think about it.

Some of the best advice I ever got on a script was from my barber, who knows nothing about arcs, beats etc...

Most people here have none or few credits. But that doesn't mean they can't help - it's often easier to see the problems in other people's scripts than in your own baby.

And if you don't believe enough in your story to get it critiqued here, then I think you have a problem. Take a visit to the critique forum and look at some of the work people have posted and the comments they have received. If you agree in just a few of the comments and like some of the stories posted, then somebody must have a talent for writing and giving critique. If not, this is not the right place for you.

It will probably hurt to see the comments on your story but hey! - if you don't agree just ignore them.

And you can always see if the person giving you comments is at least interested in screenwriting and has been it for a while - just look at the number of comments he/she has posted here on the page (that's why you shouldn't take any advice from me

winter said:

In terms of developing writers, I think the critique board here is possibly the WORST place to post your work.

Random, unqualified, overwhelmingly hostile, often frought with ignorant heavy-handedness.

It doesn't offer a nurturing environment. Which is what creatives need. To thrive. Especially in the early days. I mean, the only thing that's important for new writers is that they keep writing.

The rest they tend to seek out for themselves.

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Sounds like someone has an axe to grind and find a moment to sneak in some bitterness to the pot. This thread is about "paying for professional analysis" -- it has nothing to do with AW's Share Your Work where mileage may vary.

zagoraz said:

Why not join a writer's group for some free feedback? Or enter it into a legitimate contest that includes coverage? You never know what your going to get when you pay for coverage, unless you know the person and their background.

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If you've got $45 The Blue Cat Festival offers feedback with each contest entry. I can't recommend it myself as I've never submitted to them, but I have heard good things about it.

www.bluecatscreenplay.com

nielsty said:

Why don't you start with posting the first ten pages in the "share your work" forum? The password is "vista". Then you can have someone who isn't your friend comment on it without paying a dime. And the people here can direct you to the kind of help your script needs.

Click to expand...

Is there one here for Querry letters? Or short stories about 10 pages?

I don't have any particular axe to grind, eventhough axegrinding in itself does hold a certain fascination.

But, dpaterson, I don't think I've been critical of you. I think you often have astute observations, with regards to story, structure and characterisation, possibly because of previous time spent novelling. And I think you're often generous in what you give them.

I certainly don't think you should leave the critique board for reasons of incompetance.

Especially now, on account of me giving you such a pummelling last year, you've just started getting really good.

Although, in all fairness to you, you're a writer, and for your own purposes, it will always be healthy for you to have a break from it now and then.

Maybe just see if you can alternate with someone else at six month intervals.

But script development is tricky business. It really is. It can be make or break. It's as important as the writing itself. And maybe it's a topic that doesn't get given the time it deserves.

And I can't go back to the critique board until I finish Eddie and Smelly. I don't know why it is, but I can't read AND write. I can only do one or the other.

But also, with regards to paying someone to critique your work, I think so. They, at the very least, read a lot of scripts, which in itself is a perspective worth gaining.

But also, Joe's right about the barber. A fresh, unencumbered perspective.

I get a lot of diverse feedback all at once. Anyone in arms reach who has got anything to do with film, conventional editors, I have a friend who's a sculptor, an artistic perspective, people who I went to filmschool with, friends who are writers. One in particular, Helen, she's an unpublished novelist who's given up on writing, but her perspective for some reason liberates the process the most.

Maybe just don't rely on any one critique.

Gee, I'm amazed Winter

at your perspective because the share your work boards on ANY forum are usually the most active.
PLUS they are full of people saying "THANKS you gave me just the nudge I needed."

I've never read feedback to a novice that I've regarded as completly unsound. Not from a regular. If totally wrong or bad advice is given someone is sure to correct it and in very firm terms. There are differences of opinion on "rules" and what not but the few times something has been totally false, misleading, or detramental its been jumped on QUICK.

I am not aware of any of the regular posters here on AW who are cruel or even terribly harsh. I've never seen a single one of us go "Dude, you suck rotten fish eggs and should take your crappy no talent self for a very long walk off a very short pier. Give it up loser!"
We may read some pages and cringe but we keep it firmly hidden behind our computer screens where it belongs.

Nope, we point out basic storytelling issues, items that we found confusing, places where things could be tightened, moments that could benifit from more punch, and Wow, yes, even peices that we like.

Sure, we tell a writer that something doesn't work and MUST be changed IF it goes against the principals of storytelling and screenwriting, and is flat WRONG. I mean, there comes a time when you have to tell someone, "Look, I don't care how you write it you can't film 'Larry thinks for a minute about how much he loves Ronda'. ESPECIALLY when we don't know who the heck Ronda is! You gotta SHOW IT BY ACTION."

There isn't a single regular member of this forum who isn't capable of finding the elements that will sink a script. Not only that BUT that are also very capable of explaining and even DEMONSTRATING how to repair the problem.

And if we can't find anything OBVIOUSLY wrong with it then we'll tell you and advise you to seek out a pro because you are clearly better then all of us. I'm man enough to do that.
(but I'm a woman. 5'3, blonde, hazel eyes. Really.)

Just because we haven't sold a script yet doesn't mean we don't know enough to help someone else out.

SO, my message board fanatic advice to Anikad is do some research.
Take a day or two and read through the responses offered. Read through some of the topic threads. Get to know us a little. See what you think.

Honestly, we get NOTHING from critiquing except a sense that we are helping other writers out just like we've been helped. It feels good to watch a writer's work improve.
We try to give back a little.
And it's fun.

If you want to pay for pro advice then you have several options.
ExtHollywoodDay over at DoneDeal does critques for about 150 dollars. Ravenlocks at DD reads novice scripts as well for about the same price.
Bill Martell who runs scriptsecrets charges 400 -500 dollars.
If you get a copy of the script analyst rankings you'll see a bunch of people ranging from 100 dollars to 1,500 or more.
There are several others who advertise on the boards that are cheaper or even free and have survived the test of time and scrutiny.

Run a search for critiquers and just check em out.

Happy Writing.