What Exactly Does A Script Reader Do?

I recently had an interesting conversation with a script reader. I should say I recently had a conversation with a professional script reader. I've read many scripts in my day but I've never been paid to read scripts professionally. I enjoyed the chat with Phil (the script reader) because he was able to answer some questions I've always had about the job.

A script reader can be thought of as a person who is the first line of defense when it comes to judging a screenplay. The script reader can be employed by a variety of people including agents, producers and studio executives. They read scripts that have been submitted and make a recommendation on whether or not the script should be forwarded to the higher-ups at a company. While it might sound silly that the opinion of one person can determine the fate of a script, it is true that the script reader has that kind of power. While the script reader doesn't always have the final say on the matter, their opinion does factor greatly in the final decision.

Once an agent or an executive receives a script from a manager or client, they pass it on to the reader. The script reader will review the script and then give their thoughts on the script in the form of "coverage".  Coverage is a summary of what the script reader thought about the screenplay. The coverage sometimes includes a one or two page synopsis that is easy to understand when it comes to summarizing the script. I bring this up to remind you to make your spec script easy to understand. Your script can't be easily explained if it's not simple enough for the script reader to understand it.

The coverage of the script generally covers a number of topics including:

• Is the overall premise of the script interesting, engaging and believable?
• Is the story interesting enough to hold the attention of an audience?
• Will audiences like the main characters and want to follow their journey?  
• Is the script well constructed or will it need a good amount of work and revisions?
• Do the actions of the characters make sense throughout the script?
• How is the dialogue? Is it natural or rather clumsy?
• Do the strong parts of the script outweigh the weaker aspects of the overall presentation?
• What would be the overall budget for filming the script?
• Is the overall presentation and content of the script excellent, good, fair or poor?

Once these questions (and a multitude of others) are answered, the final decision comes down to three possible choices. The choices are often phrased different ways by different readers but they include:

1. Pass - This means the reader feels there are enough problems with the script that the agent, executive or production company should pass on the script.
2. Consider - The script is not perfect but it does show enough promise to be considered as a possible production. The "consider" also includes the idea that it will take some time and effort to get the script into good enough shape to be made into a movie.
3. Recommend - The script and its parts are in good enough shape that it should be moved forward in the process. The "recommend" decision means that a good amount of manpower and resources will be needed moving forward so "recommend" is not given as often as "pass" and "consider".

The next time you do (or don't) like a movie and are curious how the decision was made to move forward with the script, just remember the dedicated script readers who are the first to review and make a judgement about a screenplay.

This actor is toying with the idea of writing a script.