4.2 Script Coverage and Development Notes

Script coverage and development notes are crucial tools in the film industry. They help producers and executives quickly assess a script's potential and provide valuable feedback to writers. These documents distill complex stories into concise summaries and analyses, guiding decision-making in the development process.

Effective coverage includes key elements like loglines, synopses, and character breakdowns. It also offers insights into a script's strengths and weaknesses, ultimately recommending whether to pass, consider, or pursue the project. Development notes build on this analysis, providing specific suggestions for improvement and guiding revisions.

Script Coverage Elements

Key Components of Script Coverage

Top images from around the web for Key Components of Script Coverage

• 

  Frontiers | Character Strengths as “Values in Action”: Linking Character Strengths With Values ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Frontiers | The Practice of Character Strengths: Unifying Definitions, Principles, and ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Frontiers | Character Strengths as “Values in Action”: Linking Character Strengths With Values ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Frontiers | The Practice of Character Strengths: Unifying Definitions, Principles, and ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 2

Top images from around the web for Key Components of Script Coverage

• 

  Frontiers | Character Strengths as “Values in Action”: Linking Character Strengths With Values ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Frontiers | The Practice of Character Strengths: Unifying Definitions, Principles, and ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Frontiers | Character Strengths as “Values in Action”: Linking Character Strengths With Values ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Frontiers | The Practice of Character Strengths: Unifying Definitions, Principles, and ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 2

• Logline encapsulates entire story in one or two sentences
• Synopsis summarizes plot, characters, and key events in 2-3 paragraphs
• Character breakdown analyzes main characters' personalities, motivations, and arcs
• Strengths and weaknesses analysis evaluates script's positive aspects and areas for improvement
• Recommendations provide overall assessment and suggest next steps (pass, consider, recommend)

Crafting Effective Loglines and Synopses

• Logline includes protagonist, conflict, stakes, and unique hook
• Synopsis highlights major plot points, character development, and thematic elements
• Avoid including excessive details or subplots in synopsis
• Focus on capturing essence of story and maintaining reader's interest

Analyzing Characters and Script Quality

• Character breakdown explores depth, consistency, and relatability of main characters
• Identify character goals, obstacles, and growth throughout the script
• Strengths analysis highlights compelling dialogue, pacing, and originality
• Weaknesses assessment addresses plot holes, underdeveloped characters, or structural issues

Script Development Feedback

Coverage Format and Structure

• Coverage format typically includes header with basic script information (title, author, genre)
• Standard sections consist of logline, synopsis, comments, and recommendation
• Comments section divided into subsections (plot, characters, dialogue, marketability)
• Recommendation provides clear verdict on script's potential (pass, consider, recommend)

Crafting Development Notes

• Development notes offer constructive feedback for script improvement
• Address both macro issues (story structure, character arcs) and micro issues (dialogue, scene-level problems)
• Provide specific examples from the script to illustrate points
• Balance critique with positive reinforcement to encourage writer

Revision Suggestions and Script Reader Role

• Revision suggestions offer actionable advice for addressing script weaknesses
• Focus on most critical issues that would significantly improve the script
• Script reader serves as first line of evaluation for production companies or agencies
• Reader must balance objective analysis with subjective taste when providing feedback