script reading guide

8/13/2019 Script Reading Guide

1/3

Script Reading Guide

The main purpose of a script report is to provide the writer (in this case) with a detailed description of what

their script currently achieves and to serve as a measure of how far the writer has managed to fulfil their

intentions.

It should notbe an opportunity for the script reader to suggest changes to the script or to offer anassessment of the writer's ability it is a case of presenting your appreciation of the individual script as it

stands.

To help with the process of writing a script report, the report itself is on a form that prompts you to think

about the different elements of the script. ach heading refers to an element of the script that needs to be

commented upon in order to offer the writer a full and detailed report. There are a number of !uestions

that can be considered to help you to do this (more on these later).

The process of script reading should always begin with a full, uninterrupted read of the script. This is to

ensure that the script is read in one sitting without any distractions as the writer intended. It can

sometimes be helpful to have a little notebook to one side so that you can "ot down any ma"or issues that"olt you out of the reading process, as these are usually indicative of a larger problem.

For example:If you notice a character name has changed or the narrative time line skips about too much.

#n the whole, you won't make any notes in the first read. It's a good chance for you to let the words, story,

characters and world of the script wash over you, naturally. #nce you've completed your first read, you can

make your initial notes about the script. $hat did you en"oy% $hat worked% $hat didn't%

& good rule of thumb is to ask yourself ohn orke's infamous TEN QUESTIONS

Whose stor is it and !h"

What emotional state is s#he in at the $eginning" What do the need"

What is the inciting incident"

What does the character !ant"

What o$stacles are in the character%s !a"

What is at sta&e"

Wh should !e care"

What does the character learn"

What is the &e con'lict the character resol(es" )o! and !h"

)o! does it end"

If you can easily answer these !uestions from one reading of the script, the chances are that the script has

performed pretty well *ut any fu++iness about the answer to any one of these can help to highlight areas

where the writer hasn't been able to fully engage you with the script, may have issues with their maincharacter, structure or maintaining a strong narrative.


2/3

#nce you have your initial notes, you now have the basis on which to start your report.

ake sure you have a list of all characters and locations to hand as you work there's nothing worse than

receiving a script report where the reader hasn't even bothered to use the correct spelling of your main

character's name - and begin to work through the script again, this time looking for specific eamples to

help you to fill in the blanks of the report and give voice to how well you think the script conveyed the

intentions of the writer.

/*/0 The type of language you use for the report is incredibly important. It's best to avoid speaking

in the first person about yourself or about the writer. 1tick to the facts of the script but also ensure that you

offer positive comments as well as negative. The aim of a script report is also to encourage writers in their

development. $hen the writer reads the report, their eyes will immediately go to any criticisim, so if you

can write in a balanced, formal way it will help them to see the report as a tool to improve their script

rather than a personal attack.

The Top *ox

The top bo of the report offers a good space to show what genre and type you think the script is. It's fairlyself-eplanatory but it is probably important to highlight that the genre and type (as well as the length)

should be based on what outhink they are after reading the script, rather than any information the writer

has included with their submission.

2#/ 3&450 & writer might think that they have an hour long one act play, but it could be 678 pages long

and read slowly. It would be therefore be more likely to be a 7 hour play that would need an interval.

&s a general rule, one page e+uals one minute. &lthough if a script features very !uick dialogue or a lot of

action, this can change the running time of the piece.

SnopsisIn the synopsis section, you should write a short summary of what happens in the play (ie. ain characters,

what happens the beginning, middle and end of the story). Try to keep this to half a page only. $riting a

synopsis is a skill that takes !uite a bit of honing, but it serves to show the writer you've read and

understood the script.

The synopsis should be written of the play as it stands, rather than what you think the writer meant to do. If

the plot doesn't feel like it has a strong structure (say, eveything happens in the last three pages of the

script), your synopsis should put this feeling across.

Structure#,lot#Ideas

9ere are some !uestions that should help you when considering this element of the script.

:oes the script have a defined beginning% :o we hit the ground running%

:oes the story maintain itself over the course of the script%

&re the audience kept guessing%

:oes the script surprise you%

$hat is the script about% Is the sub"ect matter interesting and engaging%

:oes the story have pacing% :o things get better and worse%

:o long scenes and short scenes get used effectively%

-haracter .e(elopment

$ho is the main character of the script%

$hy does the audience empathise with them%

9ow is the character distinctive, original and engaging%

$ho or what is the antagonist%


3/3

&re all of the characters individual and interesting%

:o all the characters have defined $&;T1 and ;:1%

&re the characters three dimensional or stereotypical%

&re the characters consistent or do they change from scene to scene%

:o the characters have a clear voice% $ould you be able to tell who was speaking without looking

at the character name%

:o the characters face conflict% &re the characters challenged%

Is there enough at stake for them%

:o the characters change as a result of the narrative%

:o they make you laugh

script reading guide

Documents