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Hi. Some of you know me from the boards. I had entered Script Savvy's contest a few months back and finished just out of the running with a 55/60. I have recently optioned that screenplay and we are most likely looking at a winter production.

The reason for this post is regarding feedback. I am working on promoting my next screenplay, a very dark drama. Feedback has been minimal at this point besides&it's very, very good. That, as you all know, is not what we writers are looking for. I have a potentially huge read setup in 5 to 6 weeks and need this script clean as a whistle.

I'd really love some recommendations regarding your experiences with Coverage and Notes. Money is not a major concern. My concern is getting the best notes and analysis in a short period of time. Hopefully, I can get a completely objective industry opinion within a couple of weeks before I polish and submit this sucker. This is my baby, and I want to treat her just right before putting it ''out'' there into the real world.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

david trottier, author of the ScreenWriter's Bible, will critique for about 400 bucks. i think his turnaround time is three to four weeks.

his site is "keepwriting.com"

You may want to consider free sites like Zoetrope and triggerstreet. The "coverage" will vary but you usually do get a couple that are very good. It is also usually very quick. You get better, more indepth reviews on zoetrope if you ask specific, high ranking, reviewers for a review. You will also get some very crappy reviews. You have to be able to filter them out.

I've paid for coverage and I can't say that it was so great that I would recommend it.

Did you try Barb Doyon yet? She's offering a deal on expedited reviews. xtremescreenwriting.com

Ditto on Barb Doyon. Grab her special, it's a great deal and she's tops.

Hi Dana-

I actually just commented on who I use as script anaylsts on another thread so I'm going to post it here. On the timing issue: Bill Pace depends on his teaching schedule - sometimes it's quick, sometimes he's tough to get. Pilar is booked up but gets cancellations - that's how I lucked out with my recent script. Congrats on getting optioned!

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A few years ago, my best friend told me about a guy who he loved named Bill Pace in NY - he also teaches at the New School and his website is: www.scripteach.com. (I just went to check the website and I'm actually listed on his page). It turns out that since then, I've met several other people who swear by him too. What sets him apart is he really intuitively gets what you're going for (not matter what genre) and is able to smartly suggest changes that will help you get there. I know every analyst should be like this, but my experience found analysts who would try to push my scripts in other directions, not get me closer to what I was trying for (and missed). His notes on my scripts over the years have definitely made them better and have been very insightful. I also know some of weaknesses because of his notes and I try to work on those. His price is around $300. If you live in NY, you meet him in person for a few hours to go over his notes and review the script page by page.

A few years ago, a friend suggested Pilar Alessandra's pitching DVD when I was planning on pitching at the 2006 Screenwriting Expo. Her DVD was incredibly helpful. And since then, I'd heard people rave about her script notes. So I sent her a script this past fall and was very impressed with her insightful notes. I've sent her another since then. She's also around $300, she's in LA, and there's usually a long waiting list. Her website is www.onthepage.tv. I'm taking a class with her in NY in a few weeks.

Personally, I feel that Bill and Pilar are an incredible one-two punch, but this is a lot of money.

By the way - I was thinking about this today. I don't go to them with every script - I gave them 1 out of my last 3. But the one I recently gave them is a very dark urban drama (The Way It Spins) that I wrote this winter. I know this script isn't for everyone, but I wasn't getting the reaction from friends that I'd hoped and I needed to improve it. I gave it to Pilar (she was available first), made changes, then gave it to Bill and made changes. That draft won the Script Savvy contest with a score of 59 out of 60. The two of them helped the script a lot.

I would call or email Barb Doyon and tell her exactly what your situation is. Then, have her make sure your script hits all the GENRE BEATS and meets SUBTEXT EXPECTATIONS.

Another option: Script Savvy. Contact Donna White, the contest coordinator, and ask her to arrange a script analysis.

In either case, communicate your needs, situation, and expectations.

Oops, I forgot that Script Savvy already gave you feedback. Go straight to Barb.

I also recommend Barb. I think she can get comments back to you in a week.

i can recommend also http://www.screenplaycoverage.com/

they were the readers for BAFF. they are out in LA, have very reasonable prices and can turn around in a day or two if you need it.

in the email ask for Skyler. he runs it and is very good at getting back to you quickly.

best of luck!!

Thanks for the feedback. Much appreciated...