When reading new writers scripts – I can often just glance through the first few pages – and with a sense check of how the script looks ON THE PAGE – yes, without reading anything – I can tell, pretty accurately – if the script will work or not, and if the writer has any idea of what they’re actually doing.
The first rule of scriptwriting is SHOW – DON’T TELL. And most new scriptwriters think they understand that rule but do not.
Script Lessons from Jimmy McGovern and how to spot ‘on the nose’ dialogue…
In the UK there is really only one place you can send a script (that will actually read it) and that’s the BBC Writers OPEN CALL – a competition (open once a year) which invites writers to send in scripts – so that the BBC can develop the writer (develop means put to work on existing shows in most cases – the only real recognised career path for scriptwriters in the UK – lucky winners of the BBC OPEN CALL usually end up writing episodes of existing BBC shows – most commonly EastEnders or Casualty.
A lot of people offer this sort of service, including some very questionable anonymous reader services (why would you pay someone to read your script not knowing what experience they have?)… Anyways, I always try give advice from a the point of view of someone who has pro credits and has worked in the trenches for quite a bit.
For ages, I’ve been meaning to put a load of my TV work on a page here on this website, it’s easier to do now, with shows like Emmerdale uploading old eps to YouTube.
So, I had a quick look online today and found a ton of my old credits. Which you can see below.
And a few scriptwriters I’ve helped this year with my script report service have had major successes too, I’ve been really pleased about that.
If you’re taking a script reading course to ‘make money’ or ‘earn a living as a script reader’ you might as well buy a few scratch cards instead
MARGIN NOTES / SCRIPT EDIT is now available and it costs £199 (and is only currently available to writers who have already taken up my services via a script report.
Recently, a number of UK literary agents have started asking new scriptwriters for an industry introduction letter or a written introduction from someone in the industry. This is something that I have done in the past for clients who have used my UK script reading service
My script reports include a detailed page-by–page read of your script (with notes and suggestions on how to improve your work) as well as detailed ‘business aspects’ advice, including: Where to send scripts in the UK – Advice on agents and how to approach them-
Actual war stories about the reality of being a working scriptwriter in the UK
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