This Wednesday (tomorrow) night there’s a script reading for LIFT at Xpace on Ossington at Queen.  If you can go, go.  It’s only $5 and there will be two short scripts read by professional actors moderated by a professional writer.  Moderators are typically writers, directors or producers and they provide their feedback on the content of the scripts so writers can improve their work.

The audience will provide their comments as well.  Not all comments are useful.  Some things may not translate as well in a reading as it would if the person read it off the page, but it’s still a great way to have twenty or thirty people give you feedback instantly.

Want to get your script read?

You can either submit to readings like LIFT out Loud or Wildsound or hold your own.  You might want to do it privately if your script isn’t accepted to a public reading or if you’re concerned that your script isn’t ready for a public reading.

If your script is read before an audience, you get the benefit of their reactions.  This is especially valuable if your script is a comedy.  Do they laugh?  Do they laugh in the right places?  Is something particularly funny that you could add more of?  Or do they not get your sense of humour at all?

The more work the actors put into the reading, the better so if you’re going to hold one of your own, be sure to cast it well and ask them to prepare in advance.  There’s nothing worse than an actor who reads the script the first time at the reading and has no sense of character and isn’t a good reader.  Believe me, it’s happened to me before.

Actors might trip over words or get tongue-tied with your dialogue, which will indicate to you that it needs changing.  Dialogue might sound unnatural or too on-the-nose or like exposition.  Sometimes actors are so good at breathing life into a flat character that you think it’s on the page, but when you go back to it, you’ll see it’s not so put it there.I

Hearing your words coming back to you allows you to distance yourself from your work.  It’s not yours in that moment, it’s the actors’.  You’ll be nervous, but try to relax and enjoy it.  It’s a lot of fun to hear your words spoken by pros.  Make brief notes on a copy of the script as you go but not too detailed because you want to stay in the moment.

If your script needs work, but you can’t see where, a reading is a great way to see the holes.  If your script is polished, but no one is buying it, a reading is a great way to see if your script is a dud or if people love it.  Maybe someone will produce it.  There are a lot of industry people in the audience who may love your work and want to work with you in the future so make sure you network after!