Reading Screenplays: How to Analyse and Evaluate Film Scripts (Creative Essentials)

Essential for script readers, development executives, and producers, this is also an incisive and effective how-to book for screenwriters, clearly illuminating the script assessment process for both story and craft




 

Script readers are often responsible for determining whether a script is even looked at by a producer or development executive, yet those accountable for reading can be on the first rung of the industry ladder and have had little or no training for the task. This user-friendly guide lays bare the process of analyzing film scripts, and is invaluable to anyone looking to work as a script reader, anyone who wants to work in development with writers, and for screenwriters themselves who are seeking guidance on how the industry might respond to their work. With contributions from industry insiders, it includes information on how to write a brilliant script report, storytelling and screen genres, treatments and other short documents, writing clear and detailed analysis of the craft of storytelling for film, and best practice in reading and reporting on scripts. It also includes a full resource section listing useful print and online publications, organizations, and associations.

Lucy Scher is a director of The Script Factory, the UK's premier screenwriters' organization. She devised the UK's first training course in script reading, developed the UK's only diploma in script development, and is an internationally recognized script developer.