Reading Screenplays: How to Analyse and Evaluate Film Scripts

by Lucy Scher

Script Readers play a crucial role in the film industry, 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 'how-to' guide written by one of the UK's leading script analysis specialists, lays bare the process of analysing film scripts. This 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.An essential reference tool, the book includes information 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- Best practice in reading and reporting on scriptsIt also includes a full Resource Section listing useful print and online publications, organisations and associations.'It is such a worthwhile read' - Lucy V Hay - bang2write'Lucy Scher seeks to explain the skills needed to take on the vital role of script reader in the film industry' - Kamera Film Salon'An ideal reference tool for anyone considering a career as a script reader or in film development' - Moviescope

161 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 3, 2011

Reviews

[Sophie · Rating 5 out of 5]

As Lucy Scher wrote in her book: 'Understanding how a script is assessed and developed is possibly the most valuable training that a screenwriter can access' . I cannot agree more ! I am convinced that if screenwriters knew what readers were looking for, they would be hitting the Bullseye more often.
I simply love the clarity of this book:
To the Script Reader, it offers a template on how to present a script report (synopsis, premise, structure, character, dialogue, visual grammar, pace..).
To the screenwriter, it offers an insight on what readers, producers or script executives are expecting from a script.
The chapter on Writing and Assessing Treatments is particularly helpful as they can be tricky to write.
Definitely a book to read if you’ve just started script-reading or simply, if you want an insight on how your screenplay is assessed.

[Teri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though the book is about how to read a script and write a script report, it gives you a new perspective in watching films, a set of perspectives and language that you can talk about a film.

It refines and shows with example the key elements of a story. I think it is a good reading not only for script writing but for writing a story in general. It is clear and precise but may be it is very concise, so it is difficult to digest in some part... quiet dry..

I think it is a good reference book which one can take reference from time to time.

It's sad to learn that the author has passed away already.

[Lukas Dufka · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although a slim volute at first sight, it bursts open in your hands by the sheer force of information that is so densely packed onto its pages. In fact, after I finished it I re-read it two more times, just so that I missed none of the many valuable insights of this book.

As a newly aspiring screenwriter myself I found it most useful to look at the craft from the side of the reader - in any job, a person can do a much better a job if they are familiar with the procedure and standards by which their efforts will be measured.

I'm not a screenwriter yet (only six months in), but I've read 20-odd books on the craft, and I feel this is one of those that so far had the most impact on my writing. So I do, tentatively, recommend it to anyone in the same situation as me, and I heartily recommend it to anyone who reads scripts, which is after all the main audience of this book.