There’s a rumor that professional script readers can tell from the first page of a script whether a screenwriter is good or not. I would like to clear the mystery and confirm that yes, this is true. I can generally tell from just the first page what level a writer is at. There are always telltale signs if a writer is green. First of all, let’s define what a “green” screenwriter is. If you’re not from America or English is your second language, the term might be foreign to you. A green screenwriter is someone who doesn’t have much experience…
Author: Joanna Ke
Joanna Ke
If grace married silliness, their child would be Joanna Ke. Joanna is an award-winning filmmaker that thrives in the industry as an actor, writer, professional script reader, and producer. She champions diverse stories led by women both behind and in front of the camera. Joanna has been creating stories ever since she was a child, performing skits for her sisters and scribbling in journals before she even know how to write. She studied the craft of screenwriting with the late, great Syd Field. As a professional script reader, she is known for her ability to masterfully analyze screenplays. Joanna runs the twitter account @femcharacters, highlighting the unfortunate way women are often portrayed on screen. She also isn’t too shabby as a stunt performer and sword fighter. Wielding her broadsword is a favorite both on camera and off.
One of the disheartening things that I come across in my work as a professional script reader is the lack of female writers that come across my desk. It’s particularly sad since one of the companies I read for produces content exclusively for a female audience. The majority of the writers are men, writing the female perspective without understanding it, and that lack of comprehension comes across on the page. While I count myself grateful and privileged to be in the position that I’m in for this particular company since I’m able to provide the female perspective they need when…
Note: A shorter but similar version of this article was posted HERE on 2/13/18 Every part of the industry has been affected by the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements. That’s great news. Change, while slow to happen, is happening. As a script reader, I see the industry from a development perspective. I see the business side of things and the creative development that goes hand in hand with that behind the scenes. I want to help you know specifically how the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements have started to shift things in the industry, even if you’re not in the business. I’ve…
What’s that, never heard of a script reader before? Or maybe never heard from one? I’m not surprised! Script readers are a largely silent group in Hollywood, a vital part of the system that you rarely hear about. We work for studios, producers, directors, agents, managers, distribution, sales agents, and even sometimes name actors. What all these entities have in common is that they constantly receive scripts and, well, someone’s gotta read ‘em. I’ve been part of this profession as a working reader, aka story analyst, in Los Angeles for years. Hey, read all day and get paid for it,…