Coverage/SNS
PLEASE NOTE:
The Coverage service is currently on hold. If you are interested in having your screenplay evaluated/asssessed, please contact us to discuss availability. |
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Welcome
to the script Coverage/Screenplay Notification Service. Here,
we'll explain exactly what Coverage is, why it's so important, and
how our service works.
It's
all pretty straightforward, and you should have a grasp of it within
minutes. If you have any questions afterwards, visit the FAQ
page. Or if you're ready to submit now, click
here.
(Please
note: Coverage is NOT a one-page
service, as other companies seem to imply. Professional
script coverage is a detailed, 2-5 page document designed for producers
and production companies -- to assess and encapsulate the merits
of the script at hand. It says, in essence, "here's what the
script is in a nutshell", and it's not usually seen by the
writer.)
Coverage
-- The Quick Overview
Producers
and production companies need screenplays. It's what they
do. Without a strong, commercially-viable screenplay, they've got
nothing to produce.
It's
necessary, therefore, to read through an endless array of screenplays
submitted for consideration, in search of something worthwhile.
In search of the one great script. In search of the next project
or the up-and-coming writer. It's something they simply must do.
But
there are a few problems.
First
problem: It takes about 2 hours to properly read and consider
a feature-length screenplay. As soon as the producer has more than
5 screenplays on their desk, they're behind in their reading.
So
they hire readers.
These
readers will read the screenplay and provide "Coverage"
-- a 2 - 5 page document that includes such information as title,
genre, circa, logline, synopsis, marketability and the reader's
assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of the screenplay.
The
Coverage concludes with either a "Pass", "Consider"
or "Recommend" suggestion from the reader in two distinct
areas: Writer and Script. (For example, the script might get a "Pass",
but the writer could receive a "Recommend".)
The
producers then use the Coverage as a sort of shorthand. They get
the essence of the project in a fraction of the time. If (for any
reason) the Coverage looks like something worth reading, only then
will the producer or development executive consider reading the
script.
So
far so good... except...
The
majority of screenplays and writers receive a "Pass" from
the reader. They're rejected for a number of reasons, sometimes
because they don't fall into a particular category or budget range
(or, more simply, they're just not what the producer or production
company wants). But usually it's because the screenplay is underdeveloped,
or the writing is just not very good.
Which
is the second problem: It's a costly burden in time and money
assessing material in which they're unlikely to be interested.
All
development costs money. Unfortunately, there is no way to recoup
development costs, until the production company has a hit film.
This means the production company is always battling scarce resources
and the bottom line.
So
the production companies are in a constant position of needing
to search through and find solid material, but having no way to
recoup the costs of conducting the search.
All
that work...
This
leads, naturally, to doing shorthand on the shorthand -- avoiding
writers that are unknown or untested, or simply letting the scripts
sit on a shelf unread.
The
third problem is the most tragic of them all: Rejected writers,
under normal circumstances, are not given access to the Coverage
-- so they don't know what they've done right or wrong.
And
since producers and production companies must rationalise time and
money spent on assessments, they're unlikely to accept further material
from a writer rejected for submitting work considered "below
par".
Which
means the writer, who has spent considerable time and energy on
a project, may not only get his worked passed on, they might also
unknowingly end up ruining their chances of re-submitting to the
same company. All without ever being told.
And
all because there's not enough time to properly read and consider
the writer's screenplay. And it's important to understand that it
will always be this way. It's the economics of time,
and a reality of our industry.
Enter
SNS -- the Screenplay Notification Service
We've
come up with a solution. A completely different approach.
The
Screenplay Notification Service (SNS) is designed to
alleviate the burden for production companies/producers, whilst
assisting and protecting the writer.
By
passing the Coverage cost to the writer, we free up hundreds of
thousands of lost development dollars for the production companies.
At the same time, we save the writer enormous amounts of
money otherwise wasted through multiple submissions, while simultaneously
extending their reach.
How
it Works
We
receive screenplays via two methods -- either the writer submits
it to us in the first instance, or the writer is referred to us
by a production company/producer that receives the SNS bulletin.
The
Coverage is prepared by one of our qualified analysts or, if required,
by a reader nominated by the production company/producer.
If
a script or writer receives a "Consider" or "Recommended",
the script and/or writer is included on our Screenplay Notification
Service -- an as-needed bulletin sent to producers and production
companies in Australia and overseas. The information provided in
the SNS includes title, genre and logline.
If
a production company/producer is interested in a script or writer,
a copy of the coverage will be provided upon request. If they wish
to look at the script or meet the writer, the production company/producer
takes it from there.
On
the other hand, if the script and/or writer is a "Pass"
(i.e. not of a high enough standard), the writer gets their Coverage
back (which may include suggestions as to how to improve the material),
and avoids any possibility of blacklisting.
Either
way, it's a valuable service for both the writer AND the producer.
And that's why we think of it as the bridge between Australian writers
and production companies.
Any
questions? Try the FAQ >
If
you're a screenwriter with a completed screenplay you're ready to
submit, please visit the submission procedure page, and submit your
screenplay today!
Click
here to submit >
If
you're a producer or production company, and would like to receive
the SNS service, please click
here to sign up.
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