You’ve finished a screenplay. But how do you know if your script's ready to send out? How do you know when it’s “finished”?
Here's our ultimate 12-point questionnaire to find out whether your script is ready to take on the world. Or if it's not quite there. Yet.
Answering these twelve questions will determine how much work you’ve put into the script and also into the craft of writing in general. Assessing “craft + draft” will give you a pretty good idea of whether your script’s good to go.
(Sometimes you may find it hard to pick an answer, so just pick the one that comes closest to your position.)
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A script is just a blueprint for a movie. In this sense, it’s impossible for a script to be “finished” by an aspiring writer sitting in his/her living room.
If it’s bought, it’ll only be the start of a long collaborative process between you (hopefully) and the studio. It’ll be rewritten, probably multiple times and often by other writers. However, it is important to get your script into the best possible state it can be before sending it out.
You need to be able to honestly say you’ve done everything humanly possible to make it as good as it can be.
Far too many aspiring writers ignore this step, though, and send out their work when it’s nowhere near ready. Then, it inevitably gets rejected and despondency sets in. Follow the guidelines in this questionnaire, however, and you will not only avoid this, but know what to do next instead.
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How do you know when your script’s finished and ready to send out? Do you use the same or similar guidelines to our own? Let us know in the comments section below.
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Hi
can I send my screenplay for your site?
Hey Hana, you can submit for one of our script coverage services here.
The questions were very insightful. Thank you for the encouragement ! Will spend the next six months elevating my story etc.!
Dis dope!
Thanks, Sam!
I am not wasting my time on some stupid quiz jus to read I got a great script. I no that already
No one's forcing you 🙂
I don't usually do quizzes but found this very helpful. Opened my eyes as to where I am at.
Sounds good, thanks for sharing, Ali.
I have some work to do lol.
Keep at it, Amy!
Cant make much of this is my script ready to send out or what??
i have great epic story of love across ocean of time set against war in India adn eygpt. Readdy to sell but need final set of eye . Can you help with me please? Thank you for you time .
You can find our script coverage services here.
V interesting. This was useful in highlighting what i need to work on. Thanks script reader pro.
That's great to hear, thanks, Colin.
Enjoyed this as always with your posts. Keep up the great work Script Reader we (my husband and I are both writing scripts) love your content and the effort you put into helping people like us.
Thanks so much, Sonja!
Huge relief I got to the end and it said my script was ready to send out. Looks like I"m on the right track!!
Good luck with the script, Lynn 🙂
I need your expert opinion on my script. 24 hours turnaround is a must. Price and procedure please.
You can find our script coverage services here.
Thank you for the excellent quiz. I was going to enter the nicholl this year but I don't think I'm ready yet.
Thanks, Kris. You'll get there, don't worry.
How do I get an agent?
Here's a post on how to get an agent and manager in 10 steps.
I failed......
You haven't failed, Juan! You're just at the beginning of your journey and that's okay because everyone has to start somewhere.
Enjoyed this one as will all your posts Script Reader.
That's great to hear - thanks, Lisa.
I came out as not ready as I expected. Just means I need to work even harder.
That's the spirit, Wesley.
How stupid this quiz is. I leaned nothing.
Please I have a story that needs to be got out into the world. Very high concept producers will love. DM me for details.
It worked quite well for me.
Good stuff, Cornell.
I spent a lot of time thinking about whether my script is ready but this has helped me understand quite a bit. Thanks.
Great, glad it helped, Eddy.
If my script's ready as you say then why don't I have an agent?
Have you read this post on how to get an agent (but more importantly, a manager.)
Ummmm ok I am supposed to care about this?
This was a fun and easy way to see where I'm at. Hats off.
Thanks a lot, Jessica.
You guys always come up with the most practical and informative screenwriting advice. I realize now my script's not ready to send out but have renwed sense of vigour.
That's great to hear - thanks, James!
Do not ever let anyone tell you when your script is ready to send out or when it is not. It is purely your choice your descision that you must make based on your heart.
Totally agree with your questions. All writers should be asking these of themselves and looking at their script objectively before sending out into the market.
Thanks for the comment, Mica!
This has opened my eyes to just how much work I have left to do , thank you, SRP!
Thanks, Shane - keep up the good work 🙂
I need to talk to one of your professional screenwriters on the phone. We can work together.
Unfortunately, we don't give out our readers' numbers.
How do i know if my script's ready to send out in the industry? That is what i want to know.
Have you taken the test?
And a more distinctive “voice.” You’ve got the writing chops, but perhaps the story, characters, scenes, need to grab the reader more.
Like Fortunetellers and Horoscopes, a broad brushstroke leaves a big imprint but tells you nothing.
The first sentence is yours and infact so far from the mark you have reinforced the concept that your Industry, click bait, for the insecure Writer is rife with Shysters.
Those you can do, etc.
So stick to the solid stuff, the reason I follow you and leave the crap to the others.
Thanks, Gordon.
Have what I truly believe is a great idea for a movie, one that has its funny moments but has an underlying strong message, its got love, and some action, but more importantly it's believable it's real life and it's situations will resonate with most viewers, obviously this isn't the place to go into any significant details but I've finally finished the screenplay after 2 plus years and don't really know what my next step is, have been offered a very small insignificant amount of money for it but it's not about money for me, it's so much more important then that,
Any help or advice/guidance at all will be greatly appreciated
My email address is: leecoste75@yahoo.co.uk
Congrats, Lee, thanks for sharing. We would recommend following the steps in this post on how to sell a screenplay. Good luck and feel free to reach out with any questions.