By: Sarah Chaisson-Warner
Nearly every writer will tell you that one of the best tools in their toolbox for strengthening their work is coverage. Coverage provides writers with an opportunity to get an unbiased review of their writing and constructive feedback designed to improve their script and produce their best possible work.
Most professional coverage programs provide feedback on the key elements of a successful script – including plot, character development, tone, marketability, and premise. Some coverage programs will also include a sample logline and/or a short or long synopsis.
Many coverage services will also include a scorecard that “grades” these areas, summing up the evaluation with a “recommend”, “consider” or “pass”. Pass means the script needs significant work before it can be ready for consideration by the industry. Consider typically indicates that the script has promise and is off to a solid start, but still needs work. A Recommend is given to scripts that are truly excellent, and only a few scripts usually garner that rating.
In this article, we’ll explore the top five screenplay coverage services, helping you find just the right fit for your writing journey.
As an added bonus, check out our three-part series too on making coverage work for you! Part One focuses on what to consider when choosing coverage. Part Two provides insights from our coverage analysts as to what makes for a successful script. And Part Three looks at how writers can best utilize the feedback received from coverage.
Shore Scripts
Overview: Our ultimate goal at Shore Scripts is, and always has been, to help emerging writers break into the industry, and that’s exactly what our dedicated team of readers does. Our screenplay readers are arguably the most experienced in the industry. They are writers in their own right with produced credits, and reps, including WME, UTA, and others. They have read for major studios and production companies and will create tailored coverage to suit your individual needs.
Types of coverage offered: We offer 2 page reports on your first ten pages, 2 page reports of treatments, 3 page reports for shorts and half-hour TV pilots, 3 page reports for features and one-hour TV pilots, 6 page reports for shorts, features, and TV, and 10 page reports for shorts, features, and TV. Proofreading services are also available.
Typical turn-around: Between 2 and 5 days
Typical cost: Between $75 and $220, depending on the report length
Example reports: View the 3-Page Report, Standard 6-Page Report, or 10-page Development Report, and Proofreading sample.
Additional benefits: Verve, one of the biggest talent agencies in the world, has partnered with Shore Scripts to provide industry-focused coverage on the top screenplays submitted to our coverage service. With the writer’s prior permission, the Verve team will review and write industry-focused notes on one script per month. Their notes are then sent back to the chosen writer, offering you an invaluable insight into how the industry evaluates your story, helping you not only grow as a writer but learn more about how to navigate the film and TV industry. The Shore team will choose the project to be sent to Verve each month.
Other notes: For a small fee, writers can also request answers to any follow-up questions they may have of their reader. Also, for everyone who submits for coverage, we will send you our free PDF Guide to pitching yourself and your screenplay.
Barnstorm Media
Overview: Barnstorm Media’s ultimate goal is the preservation of independent film through the nurturing of independent voices. Barnstorm Media’s Feedback Loop program provides feedback on unlimited drafts for one full year. When you subscribe to Feedback Loop, you’ll receive in-depth analysis from the producers at Barnstorm Media for script after script and draft after draft. Your feedback is marked directly on your script.
Types of coverage offered: Feature, Short, Pilot or Web Series
Typical turnaround: Within 14 days
Typical cost: An annual subscription is $350. You can also purchase monthly subscriptions for $39.99 each month or a one-time read for $65.
Example reports: Click here to see a sample
Screenwriting Staffing
Overview: At Screenwriting Staffing, they offer a comprehensive coverage/notes service designed to delve deep into the intricacies of your story, character arcs, dialogue, and structure. Over the years, this service has not only assisted numerous writers in honing their craft but has also paved the way for them to establish invaluable industry connections.
Types of coverage offered: Shorts, television, and features
Typical turnaround: 3 – 7 days
Typical cost: $65 to $450
Other notes: When you receive a consider rating on your script, you’ll receive one free logline upload on our rating board, plus a free month of SS premium membership. If you receive a recommend rating, you’ll get one free logline upload and a free year of premium membership. In addition, they will send your logline to over 3,000 industry professionals.
Screenplay Readers
Overview: Screenplay Readers boasts over a decade of experience providing coverage for over 30,000 screenplays. Their coverage reports include a logline and free follow-up questions, and they also a Bechdel Score and a Diversity Score for your script. If you’re unfamiliar, a Bechdel Score is a reflection of your script’s female representation. The Diversity Score is their take on how well your script incorporates characters from different backgrounds and perspectives. Screenplay Readers also offers options to have one, two, or three readers write a report.
Types of coverage offered: Feature scripts, shorts
Typical turnaround: 72 hours, although 24 hour rush service is available for an extra fee
Typical cost: $159 – $397
Example reports: Sample feature coverage is here
Coverfly X
(This service is no longer available)
Overview: Unlike the other services on this list, Coverfly X is a free service, where writers can exchange screenplay notes with other writers. Writers “pay” for coverage with tokens, and tokens can be earned by reading other writers’ scripts and providing feedback.
Types of coverage offered: Features, TV pilots, and shorts
Typical turnaround: Readers have five days upon claiming feedback to complete their notes, which consist of 300 words on the strengths of the script, 300 words on the weaknesses of the script, and an optional section for any additional thoughts.
Typical cost: Free
Example reports: Not available
Other notes: Users with great reader ratings get priority access to script notes from other users with great reader ratings. In order to maintain a valuable experience for all users on the exchange, readers who do not complete the feedback on time will be penalized with “strikes”. Too many strikes, and the reader’s account could be suspended.
Take the Next Step
Whether you choose Shore Scripts’ coverage service or another, feedback on your screenplay is a game-changer, especially before pitching it to agents and producers. Do your research, and consider looking for stories or testimonials like these from writers who have had positive experiences with the company.
