Chapter 1: The Role of Script Readers

Script readers serve as the gatekeepers of Hollywood, making it essential for writers to comprehend their perspective.

On May 16, 2022, Go Into The Story celebrated its 14th anniversary. The inaugural blog post began with this introduction:

"Welcome to Go Into The Story! Currently, it's just a modest blog, but I aspire for it to transform into a vital resource for budding screenwriters, as well as a community for anyone passionate about storytelling and the creative process."

And indeed, it has flourished! It recently earned the title of "Best of the Best" Scriptwriting Website in the 20th Annual Writer's Digest Best Websites for Writers list.

To commemorate 14 years of discussing screenwriting, Hollywood, and the creative arts, I will be sharing a piece of trivia from Go Into The Story every day in May, along with a writing resource from the site's extensive archives. This initiative is not merely a celebration but aims to provide readers with valuable insights on how to effectively utilize the site. With over 100 topics archived, there's an abundance of content to explore. I hope these posts will enlighten new followers and remind long-time readers of the tools available to enhance their writing skills.

Today's trivia highlights a special guest who graced the blog for several months. Known as Max Millimeter, he dubbed himself a Hollywood Movie Producer Extraordinaire. While the veracity of his personal and professional narrative was less significant, his unique perspective on the screenwriting industry was certainly intriguing. As an older individual who witnessed the final days of the studio system, Max had strong opinions about what works and what doesn’t in this field.

Here are links to four of Max's most memorable contributions to the blog:

• Complaining about pitching
• It’s either going to happen or it won’t
• Three ways to avoid being foolish
• The reasons behind our disdain for writers

Today's featured resource from Go Into The Story is: The Story Behind Script Coverage.

I have compiled a series of posts that dissect the guidelines provided by a major Hollywood agency for their script readers, which is both educational and enlightening.

• Part 1: Overview

• Part 2: General Coverage Examples

• Part 3: Extended Coverage Examples

  • 1. Loglines
  • 2. Character Breakdowns
  • 3. Synopsis
  • 4. Comments
  • 5. Coverage Questions
  • 6. General Coverage Information
  • 7. How to Write Coverage
  • 8. Primary and Secondary Genres

While your narrative and voice are pivotal in a screenplay, it's equally vital not to overlook style and ensuring that the script is engaging.

As we progress through this month, I want to express my gratitude for your support of Go Into The Story. I invite you to share your thoughts in the comments. When did you start following the blog? What features do you appreciate most? And as always, I welcome any suggestions you may have.