What is coverage?
Coverage is the movie industry's idea of a two-page Cliff Notes guide with a Grade attached (Recommend, Consider, or Pass). It summarizes a screenplay's strengths and weaknesses, and is used to screen incoming material by development executives at studios and production companies. Coverage is faster to read than the entire script, and industry professionals can sift through a lot more coverage reports than a pile of 120 page scripts. Do the math.  Why not send a query letter/email with a coverage report attached and make a better impression over a query by itself, or sending an unsolicited script. Executives and producers at a major studio or independent production company are more likely to take a look at your script if a "Recommend" is stamped on the coverage report, versus taking the time to read the entire script that could actually be a "Pass."

Can I see a sample coverage and/or analysis?
Yes, samples are available upon individual requests via email service@myscriptneedshelp.com. We do not post them on the internet to protect our team members and customers from copyright issues. A sample coverage report template is available for you to see how a report will be organized. This is an industry standard format. A sample analysis report template is also available. Click the blue "template" links.

How can paid script services help me?
By helping you make the best first impression in the industry. Reputation is key in this business. Put your best foot forward right out of the gate. Don't rush to show your material hot off the presses. Let industry professionals who have been in the trenches evaluate your material for marketability.

Our goal is to promote Win/Win scenarios for all involved, from the customer to the studio executive. High percentages of unsolicited/solicited material are trashed or not read due to premature submissions. If our team can help reduce that percentage, then it opens the doors for quality work that may otherwise get delayed in its review or not reviewed at all. Its a Win/Win scenario for everyone!

What can your company do for me that others may not?
First of all, we understand aspiring artists, because we are artists ourselves. Couple that with the entertainment industry BUSINESS experience most of our team has under its belt, and you get the best of both worlds. Quality services will not be bargain basement prices, but they can be flexible. Our costs are below nearly all our competitors because we want to help writers with affordable rates. As a bonus, and at no extra cost, we market script reports that receive a "Recommend" or "Consider" grade to industry contacts. 

What services do you provide?
We provide the following services for film screenplays, TV scripts, stage plays, and manuscripts (novel or short story):

1)     Industry standard coverage (2-3 page basic critique), which you can then submit to potential buyers with a query letter or treatment in lieu of a full screenplay.

2)     Industry standard coverage plus Analysis (6-8 page thorough critique), which will go into more detail, act by act, of the coverage report. The following are included in the analysis: formatting errors, story/plot, characters, structure, dialogue, and overall market potential. This can do a lot to help you improve your material and attract interested buyers.

3)  Formatting, Script Repair, and Ghost Writing options where customers have access to a talented crew of talented writers who can tweak scripts for such things as proper script format, dialogue improvements, polishes, rewrites, initial drafts from treatments, etc.

What are the coverage ratings?
Recommend, Consider, and Pass. Both the script and the writer are graded with these scores in mind.

A rating of Recommend means that the script has originality, cinematic value, marketability, and a strong plot/story/structure combination. A writer who receives this rating knows script format and structure well, and has shown the ability to deliver all the elements that the industry seeks from talented writers.

 

A rating of Consider means that the script and/or writer has the potential to be a contender in the marketplace, but revisions to the material are in order. Most script that receive this rating have weaknesses in either the plot or structure. A writer with this rating has a definite grasp of script format and industry needs, but has not shown the ability to deliver a strong plot/story/structure combination.

 

A rating of Pass means that either the script or the writer does not show many of the necessary elements to contend in the marketplace. Lack of originality in story concept and/or poor plot progression are leading contributors to receiving this grade.  Likewise, material with heavy grammatical and script formatting errors bring lower marks.

How much does it cost?
Our standard services for Category 1 material (film screenplays, TV scripts/dramas, and stage plays) are listed below, but please see the Services section for the full range of options available.

1. Coverage - 2 to 3 page report costs $75.

2. Coverage with margin notes - 2 to 3 page report costs $125.

3. Coverage & Analysis - 6 to 8 page report costs $150.

4. Coverage & Analysis with margin notes - 6 to 8 page report costs $200.

Add $2 per page over industry standard limits (120 pages for film scripts; see Services area for other page limits). The exact amount depends upon the service requested. We do this to limit the number of scripts with page counts over the industry acceptable page limit. Most companies won't buy (let alone read) scripts that long unless your track record has proven profitable with films longer than 2 hours. 

What if I start out with just coverage, and decide later that I want a full analysis?
You would need to decide before your material is returned to you. Due to the rotating workload of our team, we are unable to offer any flexibility for this type of request after this point. The person who initially did the coverage for you may not be available to go back and prepare an analysis later.

Can I submit my script electronically via the internet or only by US mail?
Yes, you can.  We can accept scripts in the following file formats: .txt, .doc, .rtf, .pdf, .fdr, and .scw only.

I'm concerned that my idea will be stolen. Am I at risk?
Our commitment to you is to keep your material and coverage/analysis strictly confidential.  However, we are not responsible for what happens after a "Recommend" report is posted on a 3rd party site for industry marketing access. You can always note on the order that you do not wish your report posted anywhere. We prefer to process scripts that have been registered with the WGA (Writers Guild of America, East or West), and/or with the US Copyright office. The copyright registration protects your original work the best. If you use our services without having a registration number, we can help you complete either process at no extra charge. As part of your submission, you must sign a release [or agree online] to give us permission to provide services, with the understanding that a similar concept/idea could already be circulating in the industry; we are not responsible for information which we did not disseminate. Most companies and studios will not review material without releases. This is a standard procedure, industry-wide. We always request your permission before alerting the industry of highly rated coverage reports or success stories; again, we are not responsible for what industry buyers do with the alert information, so keep that in mind with the bonus service.

Where do I send my script?
If you wish submit an order via US Mail, then complete the Submission & Agreement Form and if paying by check or money order, make it payable to MY SCRIPT NEEDS HELP! and send everything to: 18653 Ventura Blvd # 441, Tarzana, CA 91356.

What's the turnaround time?
Coverage is done within one week, and Coverage/Analysis within two weeks. Advanced services are provided on a case-by-case basis regarding turnaround time, and will be quoted upon order receipt. Screenplays must be in accordance with the industry standard format. If you don't know what that is, then please research it before submitting your material, otherwise we'll send you a quote for formatting services in addition to the coverage and/or analysis.

Who does the coverage and/or analysis?
We have recruited a team of highly experienced industry professionals who have developed, helped develop, read, repaired, and or analyzed scripts of every genre for agents, producers, development executives, and established writers. Most have been formally trained at universities and/or with successful producers or writers.  See About Us for more details.

Will my material be shown to anyone except your team?
Not without your permission, and only upon receiving a "Recommend" or "Consider" grade on the coverage report.

How will I receive my coverage/analysis report, and do I get my script returned?
All reports are sent via email as a PDF attachment as soon they come back from the analysts. If margin notes (or any other service requiring the scripts return) are ordered, then the script along with the report will be mailed via USPS Medial Mail on the following business day, unless Priority or Express mail services are requested.