Script doctors! What should I do?!

The305itself said:

1. Thescriptanalyst.com
Cost: $50 - $100

2. Scriptdoctor911.com
Cost: $300

I know people say script consultants are a waste of money, but I just need someone to say they like before I query it. I got nothing to lose except money. I posted the first ten pages in the share your work and applied all of the advice given to the whole thing.

Should I blow 300 at scrpitdoctor911 or just 50-100 at thescrtanalyst just to see if I get a some good words before I query it?

Another question, do I need to copyright my screenplay before sending to them to read?

Click to expand...

It is copyrighted. You can register it at whichever WGA office you're in the vicinity of.

I'd guess that's a waste of money. What do you get? If you just want someone to say they like it, give it to a friend or family member. If you want it critiqued, that's a different matter and that kind of money is not going to buy you an edit so I don't really see the point I guess.

The front page of the Script Analyst site has this -

“Script Doctor” – “Script Consultant” – “Script Coverage.” Whatever the term, it boils down to this: even the best screenwriters need a second opinion – an objective analysis of strengths and weaknesses – before sending their script into the marketplace – where even a good idea can meet rejection if it is not polished to perfection.

and this -

We will read you screenplay and provide useful feedback in the form of written and/or verbal coverage.

I wouldn't trust them to read my grocery list.

The scriptdoctor site apparently offers actual editing, not critiquing, for what looks like likely $500.

The305itself said:

I know people say script consultants are a waste of money, but I just need someone to say they like before I query it. I got nothing to lose except money. I posted the first ten pages in the share your work and applied all of the advice given to the whole thing.

Click to expand...

Do you have beta readers? They're free of charge and you can ask them questions like "Do you like it?" and "At which point did your eyes start bleeding and your mind start melting?"

I don't know much about professional "script doctors", but personally I would go down the betas route before considering putting money down for a professional opinion.

I'm going to move this from Ask The Agent to our scriptwriting room, where I think you'll get the specialised advice you require, 305.

I work in the industry, and of all the "script doctors" out there I only know of two that are used by industry pros -- and I mean professional screenwriters who have sold and have been produced.

I know them both professionally and would recommend either one.

The Screenplay Mechanic (Andrew)
http://www.screenplaymechanic.com/

ScriptGal (Amanda)
http://www.scriptgal.com/

Or for $75 -- which equals one month of hosting at $25 and one read for $50 -- you can load it onto The Black List and see where you stand among pros and others vying for a sale, a manager, and an agent. If you score an 8 or above, you're ready. And if you score 8 or above, your screenplay will be pitched to industry pros in a weekly newsletter. Below an 8, you're probably not ready. But either way, you will come away with notes on what your script's weaknesses are.

The305itself said:

1. Thescriptanalyst.com
Cost: $50 - $100

2. Scriptdoctor911.com
Cost: $300

I know people say script consultants are a waste of money, but I just need someone to say they like before I query it. I got nothing to lose except money. I posted the first ten pages in the share your work and applied all of the advice given to the whole thing.

Should I blow 300 at scrpitdoctor911 or just 50-100 at thescrtanalyst just to see if I get a some good words before I query it?

Another question, do I need to copyright my screenplay before sending to them to read?

Click to expand...

Regarding your latter question -- while your script is automatically under copyright simply by virtue of your having written it, you need to register the copyright with the Library of Congress, if you want to be able to sue for certain kinds of damages (which you do). This registration is permanent and affords protections which registration with the Guild does not.

NMS

The305itself said:

Thanks Bergerac, I decided to to give Andrew at thescreenplaymechanic a try and I also looked into the black list.

So, for someone like me with no experience, just trying to get an agent, do I need to the script studio coverage for $99 or do I need the in depth analysis for $ 275? Sorry, I'm not familiar with this.

Click to expand...

Tell Andrew your objective, and what you want to know from him. He'll probably suggest the services for the lower amount. He's a great guy -- tough, but fair.

Basically, newbies no longer can get agents -- agents come in to broker deals already in play. Agents this days ONLY take on clients with a significant track record since they act as the middleman for assignments, and only seasoned/established/respected pros get those.

You are probably looking for a manager, which is not easy to get, or you can start climbing up the food chain by writing a contained/low-budget screenplay and selling it (at usually a token amount) to a prodco. With credits, you can seek a manager. With credits and a manager and a significant deal, you can get an agent.

This is how it is these days (basically); agents in the film industry bear no resemblance to lit agents in the publishing world.

I get by only with an entertainment attorney. I'm loathe to part with the requisite 15 + 10 = 25 percent, but then I'm not the type of pro that is up for assignments either. I believe NMS here is of that caliber; perhaps he can tell you more.

Bergerac said:

I work in the industry, and of all the "script doctors" out there I only know of two that are used by industry pros -- and I mean professional screenwriters who have sold and have been produced.

I know them both professionally and would recommend either one.

The Screenplay Mechanic (Andrew)
http://www.screenplaymechanic.com/

ScriptGal (Amanda)
http://www.scriptgal.com/

Or for $75 -- which equals one month of hosting at $25 and one read for $50 -- you can load it onto The Black List and see where you stand among pros and others vying for a sale, a manager, and an agent. If you score an 8 or above, you're ready. And if you score 8 or above, your screenplay will be pitched to industry pros in a weekly newsletter. Below an 8, you're probably not ready. But either way, you will come away with notes on what your script's weaknesses are.

Click to expand...

Personally I'd steer clear of the Blacklist critique. I was shown one by a writer I know; she got a six for the story. Which was fair enough. I also thought the script could have benefited from another couple of drafts, but it did have what I believed to be a very high concept idea at the heart of it.

But what rang bells with me was that quite a major part of the critique focused on a certain dialogue exchange that the reader flagged up as being unnatural between two of the characters, and quoted this dialogue to make the point, but it quite clearly stated in the directions that in these instances the characters themselves were quoting from a book. There was also mention of one of the character's parents not being fully developed. Well, he wouldn't be; there was no such a character in the script. There were a few things like this, and I got the impression of some tired reader earning say 50% of the $50 reading fee, and perhaps not giving it his/her full attention, maybe the umpteenth script they'd read that week and suffering from reading fatigue.

The Black List has garnered a great reputation over the years, but I'm not entirely convinced that their critique is the way to go. From the $50 fee, how much does the reader earn? And how much does the site take? You get what you pay for. Just my opinion.

Your other two readers sound a much better bet, IMO.

If you feel the absolute need to spend the money, here's my advice.

If you're looking for detailed feedback then use a consultant.

If you're looking to get a sense of how the industry might receive your script, use The Black List.

Consultants do more coddling. And while they might provide some astute feedback, it will be out of sync with the way the industry thinks. I speak from first hand experience of reading scripts that were favorably reviewed by highly respected consultants that would never cut it in my world.

I think TBL does a better job of emulating the way Hollywood actually does business. You send your script, someone who has never spoken to you or taken your money reads the script. They give it a quick critique and rate it on a scale from 0 - 10. It behooves TBL to give high ratings to worthy scripts and low ratings to scripts that need work or are bad. If your script rates high, it will be advertised to their list of execs & reps. But, more importantly, you'll know where your script stands in comparison to all the other scripts coming through their channel. This is pretty much the way it would be done in my office.

If TBL gives your script a couple of low scores, review the material, rewrite if necessary and then - if you must - pay a consultant.