> THE First look PROGRAMME
"Learning from other people's strengths and mistakes in script writing is probably the most productive educational process, I've ever come across. You see and understand immediately what to do - or not to do, and use that knowledge when you write your own scripts."
Jan Jung, Director/Producer
TO READ SITCOM SCRIPTS BY PEER WRITERS IS A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO COMPARE TALENT AND SKILLS. TO HAVE YOUR OWN SCRIPT ASSESSED BY PEER WRITERS IS AN EVEN BETTER OPPORTUNITY TO REVISIT AREAS, WHICH OTHERS THINK MIGHT NEED YOUR ATTENTION. YOU MAY DISAGREE BUT YOU HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE - AND MAYBE A LOT TO LEARN.
When you register to become a script reader/writer, you can earn access to get your own script(s) read and assessed anonymously by peer writers; receive up to three (3) detailed script reports with opinions and advice from likeminded people; and with a high average quality score secure fast tracking to the attention of our Development Team.
The programme is open to sitcom writers and their scripts aimed at the UK TV, Radio and New Media market only. Although we always enjoy reading anything comedic, ScreenPlay Productions are wholly focussed on domestic sitcoms.
It works like this:
As a registered reader/writer you can choose scripts to read and evaluate from a list of new titles. The selection and evaluation is 100% anonymous. You access the password protected site by using your username and the unique registration number you receive after we have approved our partnership.
Once you have given quality feedback to three (3) scripts written by other registered writers on the provided report form, and given them a score of up to five (5) possible stars, one (1) of your own submitted script(s) will be added to the titles list.
You can repeat this process for as long as you observe the simple ethical rules When we have received reports back from three (3) other readers of your script, your title will be removed from the list. We will assess the reports before we send them on to you. If you think your script has scored unfairly, the title can be resubmitted to receive another two (2) assessments.
Although the titles and loglines never reveal the identity of the writers behind the scripts, to avoid collusion and unfair positive marking, every reader/writer is only allowed to chose one (1) script by the same writer in every package.
Only staff at ScreenPlay Productions will know who the writers and the readers are. Should there ever be a dispute over copyright infringement we will keep records of who has read what.
Registering your script with the First Look programme will automatically serve as copyright registration on the date it is received. Submitted scripts will be issued with a Copyright Certificate acknowledging the title, the logline, the name of the writer, and the date of submission.
The ability to provide impartial and fair feedback will be closely monitored and is a prerequisite to remain on the list of readers. If we find that a particular reader always scores significantly lower or higher than the average of the sum of the others, or often provides irrelevant and unqualified feedback, we will address the issue directly with the reader, and in case of dispute disqualify the reader from the programme.
Why participate?
Writing comedy is one of the loneliest jobs in the world. Trying to be funny without feedback can be frustrating to almost breaking point. Getting a chance to read other writers' work can provide you with both an uplifting and enlightening experience. To read a wide selection of other writers' scripts, without knowing who they are, will make it easier for you to determine your own position on the relative quality scale. By receiving feedback anonymously you might also learn something about your own ideas, individual 'voice', style, skills level and talent - an assessments which close friends and family maybe would be incapable of or hesitate to make.
While reading the broadcasters' benchmark scripts can tell you a lot about their preferred comedy style and the level of skills and writing talent necessary to attract their attention, it does not compare your status to what else is offered by your peer writers. As always knowing is better than guessing.
Getting inspired by other writers' work, style and achievements or being affirmed of your own qualities is a rare opportunity you should not ignore. Identifying strengths and weaknesses in peer writers' scripts and challenge yourself to substantiate your thoughts in a short and concise report sharpens your analytical understanding of what does and does not work and why. This rare opportunity will inspire and improve your own writing.
What we get out of the programme:
For many and varied reasons most comedy production companies have understandably closed their doors to unsolicited material. The workload connected with reading and giving feedback to sub-quality scripts is very demanding on the resource available to Development Producers. Although it is a rewarding part of the process to better understand how comedy works, the time spent on doctoring dysfunctional scripts reduce the time we can spend on moving strong scripts forward.
By using the scoring system and initially only read the reports we can select the commonly agreed gems from 'slush-pile' of unsolicited scripts.
By participating in the First Look programme you'll either learn how to improve your writing, feel comfortable about your own skills and talent, or if you're really good, get the proper attention from us that you rightly deserve.
We see this as a win-win situation.