What’s on Offer?
Script Surgery specialises in project development from early concept, working in-depth with a writer or team over multiple drafts and stages of development.
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However, snap-shot services are also available; such as coverage and short assessments for companies and agencies and headline development reports for writers. Whether you’re just starting out assessing concepts, nearly at the last hurdle, poised for production or somewhere in the middle of your journey, Script Surgery can provide the constructive input you need to take the next step.
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Where new talent is found, Script Surgery is happy to help a writer make connections and talent tracking is in place, seeking writers to work with in the future. If you’re a producer looking for relationships with writers Script Surgery can help your search.
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Whether you seek only brief, inexpensive feedback, in-depth analysis, or a contracted freelance arrangement there should be a service for you. Feedback can be on features, TV scripts/series, shorts, proposals, treatments, or novels and plays for adaptation. Please contact Sarah to discuss your requirements, or first view the testimonials page for recommendations from previous clients.
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“After working with Sarah on several projects I now would not consider developing a project without her involvement” Gregory Hoffman, President, True Edge Pictures
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For an outline of report services please see below:
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Coverage Reports
A coverage report is the 2 – 4 page report that a company requests when wanting a script read and briefly assessed. It summarises the story, gives a brief indication of the script’s strengths and weaknesses and whether its worth developing or making. It will consider things like originality, prospective audience, commerical viability and the quality of the material in comparison with other films in the same genre. There can also be a score rating or chart to summarise the various strengths and weaknesses at a glance. This is to provide a short-hand idea about whether the project, or in some cases the writer, is worth further consideration by the company.
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For a writer this type of report will be of use if you are interested in seeing what kind of coverage your script is likely to get if you submit it somewhere and how these internal reports work. It will point up the main strengths and weaknesses as they appear on initial reading. However, if you’re looking for more detailed insight into your script, with constructive observations and suggestions for forward progress, then a development report would be more appropriate to your needs.
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Headline Development Report
This new service is a step up from a coverage report, tailored specifically toward writers as an initial development tool. At approximately 4 pages it will outline the main strengths and weaknesses in a script and highlight key areas to look at in ongoing development. Focusing particularly on the areas of premise, structure, character and commercial feasibility it will provide an effective snap shot of the core potential in the project with suggestions for how to bring these out more strongly in a subsequent draft. This report is an adaptation of screen agency assessment reports where a project and a writer’s potential are being assessed with regards to potential development funding.
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Standard Development Report
In this development report of approximately 8 pages, your consultant will engage more deeply with your script and analyse its premise, structure, characters, dialogue, pace and visual grammar, as well as considering the feasibility of the project as a commercial proposition. There will be a synopsis of the story and more detailed reference to the text than is possible in a shorter report. Aimed at providing a positive tool for forward progress, this report will deal incisively with the key development issues evident in the script and leave you with plenty to help kick start further thinking.
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Script Surgery is confident that a standard report will represent a positive investment in the development of your work. It therefore comes with a money back guarantee. If you are truly dissatisfied with the effectiveness of the insight provided your money will be refunded.
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“Thanks very much for your fantastic crit. I wanted to just sit down and start rewriting when I’d finished it. There’s so much good stuff to work on. I have been through it and underscored all the bits that really set me thinking.” Jeremiah Quinn, Screenwriter/Director
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Development Meetings
Talking face to face, (or over the phone), can often be a more constructive form of development than written reports alone. It allows the consultant to ask the writer about aspects of the script and their intentions where these may not be coming across. A writer, or team, can also ask for elaboration on any feedback as it occurs. This meeting between a writer’s intention and audience perception is the process that most accurately highlights areas for development. These can be identified and understood more quickly with the opportunity for a positive dialogue about the work. This is also particularly useful when more than one creative party is involved such as directors or producers, with the script editor helping facilitate the discussion.
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Meetings can be tailored to requirements from a 30 minute chat accompanying a report, to an ongoing series of face to face development discussions. If you are funded for ongoing script support a package of meetings, reports and phone/email feedback can be arranged to suit your needs.
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In-depth Development Services
In-depth development feedback is usually appropriate for companies and writers in funded development. It can involve working together over a number of drafts, sometimes supporting the development of a project from initial concept. Script Surgery can also offer a one off, in-depth report, or meeting, that will include the script being read a minimum of two times and the in-depth analysis and breakdown of the material before feedback is provided.
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In-depth development is the most effective professional tool for taking a project forward. It will fully get to grips with the core narrative premise; its impact and meaning, audience and genre expectations, structural detail throughout, as well as a more thorough look at character motivations and external actions in representing the conflict at stake. Depending on the genre and stage of the project a more in-depth discussion of dialogue, visual grammar, pace or tone may also be appropriate. Such as building on recurring imagery, more effectively escalating tension, or creating greater authenticity or individuality in character voices, for example.
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All in-depth development support is tailored to requirements. Please contact Script Surgery to discuss these or request an industry rate card. For prices on standard & short reports please see What’s the Price?
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Screenwriting Services
Script Surgery also offers screenwriting or script doctoring services. If you would like a project evaluated with a view to your consultant drafting or redrafting the screenplay, please contact Sarah to discuss the details. Sarah has previously provided rewrites for clients (company and individual) and can currently be hired to provide a confidential rewrite for a one off fee and no screen credit.