WHAT DO ALL THE SCORING CATEGORIES IN COVERAGES MEAN?

 

 

PREMISE – There are unoriginal script ideas all over Tinseltown. Another carbon copy of something that was done a million times before. This category will help you determine if you script is A) marketable, B) original, and c) engaging to enough to read.

 

 

PLOT –  Having a compelling plot of ups and downs and twist and turns, and or even a Twilight Zone twist, is key to good screenwriting.  Another area, does your screenplay: follow script beats. (Example: Page 30 is the end of Act 1)

 

 

CHARACTERS – There are tons of memorable Hollywood characters. One of the important attributes to look for:  a strong character arc, is the character unique, and does the character have psychological complexity?

 

DIALOGUE – From The Coen Brothers to Quentin Tarantino, whip smart dialogue can make or break a script. Fun Fact: a lot of literary agents skim description and just read the dialogue.  If you sleep on this area, your script will be a turn off.

 

 

SETTING - There are a million scripts set in New York and L.A.  But what about a script set in Antarctica? Or how about the beaches of Ammochostos? A unique setting can really make a writer’s voice stand out from the stockpile of scripts.

 

 

CASTING POTENTIAL -  A great away to get your script sold, other than having a compelling script, masterfully written, is to have a couple of characters that really give actor’s a juicy role.  A character who’s personal journey is just as compelling as the plot.

 

 

OVERALL SCORE - This is the final number when put it all together. It isn’t any mathematical formula, it’s just the reader's summarization of how close it is to a stand out script or a back to the drawing board script. That would be if it is a Pass, Consider or the highly elusive Recommended (a near gem perfect screenplay).  More info on this on the "Samples" page.