'Wow' scripts
As an American writer who follows and has recently submitted a work to writersroom, I certainly find the patient waiting and sheer size of the industry particularly daunting, if not outright intimidating. I was curious as to how often, as the Development Manager, you come across a script that one of the other readers has passed along and you say, "Wow, where did this one come from? This is amazing." Versus, "Oh, why did they pass this along?"
The simple answer is: there are never enough 'wow' scripts. I rarely query why a reader has passed me a script - there is always a good reason why it's worth another look, even if that isn't reason enough to take the writer forward. There are a lot of scripts out there - yet everyone in the industry is desperate to find that rare, brilliant, sparkling, original, stand-out script. It does happen. I do pass them on. They can and do get made. And it is unfortunately a rarity. But rest assured that we get very, very excited when something special turns up.
Comments
As a reader myself for lit agents and writing initiatives like Scottish Screen, I can say that people "get excited" about those scripts that can tell a story with clarity and coherency (in other words, aren't overly complicated); have dialogue that reveals subtext, not just "on the nose" or irrelevant info; characters that have depth and resonance and aren't stereotypes and good format - not acres of scene direction or pages and pages of stuff all over the place.
I know, I know. Easier said than done! ; )
I was wondering if you have had any of those scripts come to you yet for 2007 and what precisely is writersroom role in the development process since you are a rarity in the industry for accepting unsolicited manuscripts.
Do you ever feel a bit bogged down by the very amount of scripts you receive?
Do you have people to read different Genres?
For eg
I like Comedy, I would like to read comedy not HORROR or Drama
Thats the way you work?
Best
Roberto
Our team of readers is able to read across the full range of drama and comedy scripts - it is one reason why they make it onto the team against fierce competition and it is in part this variety which makes them commit to us and relish coming back every month. However, all the readers do also have particular genre specialisms and it is often the case that a particular reader will take away more of the sitcom scripts or film scripts, for example. This way we keep a balance between broad experience and particular areas of expertise.