Table Read Your Screenplay to See Just How Good It Is
As you probably know one of the best ways to improve your scripted dialogue is to read it aloud. Not all screenwriters attest to this, but there is something all agree on… Table read your screenplay.
Organize a read through of your screenplay
William Goldman calls the screenplay read-through the most important part of the process in film production.
A script table read is also an extremely important part of writing a spec script, and yet few writers actually do it.
If at all possible, get some actors together for a table read of your screenplay, but otherwise just get a group of your friends together to read aloud the characters.
Don’t worry about a lack of rehearsal time. Usually people will be reading the script “cold” but that shouldn’t deter you from the process.
What are the benefits of a script table read?
The obvious advantage to having your script table read is ironing out the dialogue. All wooden, “on-the-nose,” subtext free, dialogue has no place to hide during a read through.
Phrases that you’ve read a hundred times in your head and sound fine can suddenly feel painfully awkward when read aloud by someone else.
But that’s not all. Nothing can beat having your script read aloud to flag up any unnatural situations, unnecessary / boring scenes and plot holes.
This will be the first time the script moves from out of your head into the real world.
The insight, observations and tips gained from a screenplay table read can be an invaluable exercise in discovering just how good (or bad) your script really is.
You’ll be able to see first hand how people react to your written words on the page. If it’s a Comedy, are people are laughing? If it’s an Action / Adventure are people excited?
Get it right during a script table read and you’re well on your way to getting that “Recommend” from a studio reader.
Table Read My Screenplay Competition
A great way to not only have your script table read but also win some cash and industry recognition, is to enter the Table Read My Screenplay competition.
Late entry deadline is coming up fast—July 1st. Good luck!
“Anytime you have other people interpret your work it brings a different light to it. I saw different facets to characters I wasn’t aware of before.”
— Alex Simon, Table Read My Screenplay 2010 winner
