Hollywood 101

Coverage

Coverage:

A brief synopsis and evaluation of written, narrative material, typically screenplays or

books.

Who Reads Coverage• Busy entertainment professionals– Agents/Managers– Executives (studio, network, prod companies)– Producers– Stars– Other entertainment professionals• Marketing, PR, Post, Physical Prod, etc.

Who Writes Coverage• Script readers aka story analysts– Interns, assistants, fulltime readers

Who Reads Coverage• Busy entertainment professionals– Agents/Managers– Executives (studio, network, prod companies)– Producers

5 Components of Coverage

5 Components of Coverage1) Headline Facts

a. Name of scriptb. Name of author of scriptc. Date coverage is deliveredd. Name of reader

Headline Facts

5 Components of Coverage1) Headline Facts

a. Name of scriptb. Name of author of scriptc. Date coverage is deliveredd. Name of reader

5 Components of Coverage1) Headline Facts2) Logline

a. A one or two sentence synopsis of the whole story

Logline

RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK Logline:

In the run-up to World War II a gun-slinging archeologist searches the globe for the Ark of the Covenant, racing against Nazi soldiers and

collaborators to find the ancient artifact said to possess the power of God.

MALEFICENT Logline:

A vengeful fairy is driven to curse an infant princess, only to discover that the child may be the one person who can restore peace to their

troubled land.

MALEFICENT Logline:

A vengeful fairy is driven to curse an infant princess, only to discover that the child may be the one person who can restore peace to their

troubled land. A retelling of the “Sleeping Beauty” fairy tale from the point-of-view of the evil fairy.

NEIGHBORS Logline:

A couple with a newborn baby face unexpected difficulties when they’re forced to live next door

to a frat house.

5 Components of Coverage1) Headline Facts2) Logline3) Synopsis

a. A prose synopsis of the major story points that tell the story of the script

b. Typically one page

Synopsis

5 Components of Coverage1) Headline Facts2) Logline3) Synopsis4) Evaluation or commentary

a. Does the script work or not, and if not why?b. Typically one page

Evaluation

5 Components of Coverage1) Headline Facts2) Logline3) Synopsis4) Evaluation or commentary5) Recommendation

a. Does the reader recommend further consideration of the script or not

b. “Pass,” “Consider” or “Recommend”

Recommendation

How to Write a Good Synopsis

How to Write a Good Synopsis1) Formatting

a. Like the script itself, coverage is written in third-person, present tense

How to Write a Good Synopsis1) Formatting2) Don’t describe the script, tell the story

a. Don’t write: “The script opens up with Indiana Jones on an adventure, escaping from the bad guys.”

How to Write a Good Synopsis1) Formatting2) Don’t describe the script, tell the story

a. Don’t write: “The script opens up with Indiana Jones on an adventure and escaping from the bad guys.”

b. Do write: “…In the jungle, Indiana runs from his adversary, the French archeologist, Belloq, and escapes by plane.”

How to Write a Good Synopsis1) Formatting2) Don’t describe the script, tell the story3) Include as few major plot-points as possible

that tell the essence of the story

How to Write a Good Synopsis1) Formatting2) Don’t describe the script, tell the story3) Include as few major plot-points as possible

that tell the essence of the story4) Emphasize causality

Chekov’s Gun

Anton Chekov 1860-1904“If in the first act you have hung a pistol on the wall, then in the following one it

should be fired. Otherwise don’t put it there.”

Climax: “Belloq opens the Ark, releasing the Angel of Death, which kills him and the Nazi soldiers.”

Setup: “Indy tells the Army Intelligence officers about Hitler's desire to find the Lost Ark of the Covenant, an ancient chest that is said to possess the power of God.”

Climax: “Belloq opens the Ark, releasing the Angel of Death, which kills him and the Nazi soldiers.”

How to Write a Good Synopsis1) Formatting2) Don’t describe the story, tell the story3) Include as few major plot-points as possible that tell the

essence of the story4) Emphasize causality

a. Review your synopsis and work backwardsi. Find the climax of the storyii. Go back and cut actions and events that don’t contribute to our

understanding of the climax

How to Write a Good Synopsis1) Formatting2) Don’t describe the story, tell the story3) Include as few major plot-points as possible

that tell the essence of the story4) Emphasize causality5) Include major characters

How to Write a Good Synopsis1) Formatting2) Don’t describe the story, tell the story3) Include as few major plot-points as possible that tell the

essence of the story4) Emphasize causality5) Include major characters6) Employ concise transitions

a. Like “Meanwhile,” “Later that day,” and “Back at headquarters…”

How to Write a Good Synopsis1) Formatting2) Don’t describe the story, tell the story3) Include as few major plot-points as possible that tell the

essence of the story4) Emphasize causality5) Include major characters6) Employ concise transitions7) Track emotional journey of protagonist

From THE FAULT IN OUR STARS Coverage:

Hazel struggles with the knowledge that growing close to Gus will only make her inevitable death

more destructive, and is conflicted about acting on their attraction.

How to Write Good Evaluations

How to Write Good Evaluations1) Know the standards of your bosses

How to Write Good Evaluations1) Know the standards of your bosses2) The reader isn’t a critic; write constructive

evaluations

How to Write Good Evaluations1) Know the standards of your bosses2) The reader isn’t a critic3) What’s the script really about?

From INCEPTION Coverage:

INCEPTION is essentially a highly elaborate heist story that deals with the complex subject of dreams. At its core, it is the story of a man who is simply trying to let

go of his demons and go back home to his children.

How to Write Good Evaluations1) Know the standards of your bosses2) The reader isn’t a critic3) What’s the script really about?4) Things to evaluate

a. Conceptb. Plot/Structure

Three-Act Movie Structure•Beginning•Middle• End

Three-Act Movie Structure•Beginning Act I•Middle Act II• End Act III

Three-Act Movie Structure•Act I–Meet the protagonist, see his world–Protagonist confronted by challenges–Protagonist makes decision to pursue a

goal

SEX DRIVE: End of Act I

Three-Act Movie Structure•Act I•Act II–Rising Action: A series of increasing

conflicts with antagonist–Ends with Second Act Crisis: Worst

setback, protag’s at her lowest point

WINTER’S BONE: Act II

WINTER’S BONE: End of Act II

Three-Act Movie Structure• Act I• Act II• Act III–One last chance–Climax: Final confrontation–Denouement: New world order

SEX DRIVE: Act III Climax

SEX DRIVE: Act III Denouement

Three-Act Movie Structure• Common Problems– Act I too big: Story takes too long to get going– Act II: Action plateaus rather than rises

Three-Act Movie Structure

Three-Act Movie Structure

Three-Act Movie Structure• Common Problems– Act I too big: Story takes too long to get going– Act II: Action plateaus rather than rises– Act III: Protagonist doesn’t earn his victory

How to Write Good Evaluations1) Know the standards of your bosses2) The reader isn’t a critic3) What’s the script really about?4) Things to evaluate

a. Conceptb. Plot/Structurec. Charactersd. Dialoguee. Stakes: What’s at stake if the protag doesn’t achieve her goal

How to Write Good Evaluations1) Know the standards of your bosses2) The reader isn’t a critic3) What’s the script really about?4) Things to evaluate

a. Conceptb. Plot/Structurec. Charactersd. Dialoguee. Stakesf. Paceg. Overall quality of the writingh. Comparisons to other movies

How to Write Good Evaluations1) Know the standards of your bosses2) The reader isn’t a critic3) What’s the script really about?4) Things to evaluate5) Look for potential

Why Writing Coverage is Good

Experience

Why Writing Coverage is Good Experience

1) Helps learn how storytelling works

Why Writing Coverage is Good Experience

1) Helps learn how storytelling works2) “Pitching story” is a life-long skill

Why Writing Coverage is Good Experience

1) Helps learn how storytelling works2) “Pitching story” is a life-long skill3) Consume vast quantities of written material

Why Writing Coverage is Good Experience

1) Helps learn how storytelling works2) “Pitching story” is a life-long skill3) Consume vast quantities of written material4) Writing coverage is a great foot-in-the-door

Coverage Web Resourceshttp://gointothestory.blcklst.com/2010/11/story-behind-script-coverage-how-to.html

https://sites.google.com/site/scottdistillery/thestorybehindscriptcoverage

http://www.colum.edu/Academics/Learning_Studio/pdf/Coverage%20How%20To.pdf