HOW DO I KNOW IF MY SCREENPLAY IS "GOOD?"

​As an aspiring professional screenwriter, you may find yourself asking “is my script any good?” But what qualifies as a “good” script and how can you tell if you are on the right track for your next draft? In this article, we are breaking down the benefits of receiving professional feedback on your screenplay and how The Professional Pen can help. 

​WHAT IS A “GOOD” SCRIPT?

​It’s the age-old question that many screenwriters have asked themselves time and time again, “is this script any good”? What’s important to note here is that even if you don’t find yourself asking this question, it still might be a good idea to get a second opinion. When thinking about what makes a script an enjoyable read, what comes to mind can be directly related to if the screenwriter is hitting the main story elements. 

Are we able to identify the protagonist? Are they likable or relatable? How about their goal? Is it clear? What’s standing in the way of them reaching their goal (complications) and what happens if they don’t reach their goal (stakes)? Structure plays a large role in the determination of whether a draft of a screenplay is on the right track as well. Is the inciting incident clear? Does the midpoint propel the character into the climax?

All of the above are just brief examples of what makes a script an enjoyable read. But remember, all of this is subjective. That’s why when getting an outside opinion you want to go to a professional you trust. Below are three benefits of working with a professional to get feedback on your screenplay.

​WHY YOU NEED AN OUTSIDE OPINION ON YOUR SCREENPLAY

1. Work with the experts. While it may be comforting to have your script read by a family member or friend, there are benefits to having your screenplay read by an expert. Experts can not only give you constructive criticism from the lens of a working industry professional, but they can also give you tangible next steps on how to improve your screenplay. Having your screenplay read by an expert, and not just those close to you, means that you will be getting detailed feedback on why something is or isn’t working in your screenplay and not just the typical “I liked it” or “I didn’t like it” that you might hear from your grandma or best friend. Feedback from an industry expert is extremely valuable. And here at TPP, our script consultants are called just that - Story Experts! Working professionals who know story inside and out.
2. Learn how to become a better screenwriter. Working with a consultant can identify mistakes or trouble areas that you may be unaware of. Whether that’s making sure your screenplay is formatted to the industry standard or learning that your screenplay lacks an inciting incident completely, the more you hear the feedback, the more you will learn and start making changes in your screenplay as you write. Here at The Professional Pen, we believe in giving writers the tools to succeed. When we give notes, we do so in a way that not only educates the writer but also empowers them to make the best decision for their screenplay by asking probing questions and giving detailed page notes. 
3. Have someone support you on your writing journey. Now, this is solely a benefit of working with TPP. Not many other script consultants take this approach, but when you submit for any service on our site, you are assigned a Story Expert that will work with you for the duration of your writing journey with The Professional Pen. This means whether this is your first round of development notes or fifth, you are assigned a Story Expert who will be able to track your growth and know what your strengths and weaknesses are so that they can help take your script from good to great! At other script consulting agencies, this is not always the case, and it is likely you will get an entirely new reader each time you submit.

---

​DEVELOPMENT NOTES AT TPP! 

​While knowing whether your script is up to par can be hard to analyze on your own, TPP’s Story Experts are trained in being subjective and give you constructive feedback so that you have a plan for when you sit down to write your next draft. Ready to take the next step? Click here to sign up for Development Notes today!

---

author

Khadija Roane is a Magna Cum Laude graduate from the illustrious Howard University where she received her BFA in Theatre Arts. Khadija then graduated from UCLA's MFA Producers program where she interned in film and television development at MACRO, Vertigo Films, Gamechanger Films, and Pamplona Productions before working as a Scripted TV Assistant at WME. She has placed in the Pittsburgh Shorts Screenwriting Competition and the Atlanta Film Festival, and received the Barbara Boyle Promising Producer Award. Khadija lives in Los Angeles where she is an independent filmmaker and a Story Expert at The Professional Pen.