How often do you read scripts?

[Sean Z P Harris]

I have to admit that I went through a stage of not reading many at all when I first started out.

However, I've read quite a few now, but still nowhere near as many as should.

Do you read scripts often?

[mbarrett]

Hi Sean,
I try to read one a day. It usually works out well because I sit at a computer all day for work, switching back and forth between reading and actual work. Don't tell the boss. Haha.

I'm probably at over a hundred by now. I definitely think it helps. I read all sorts of screenplays - some good, some bad. Questions that come up when I reading are - Did they hit the points in the story they should have? Was the story good? Did it draw me in wanting for more? Did I know what was going to happen?
The other thing that I look at is - what does this story remind me of? What others are out there like this?
The last thing that I do when reading is - think that I can't believe this was on the black list or Wow, great stuff.

Long list of stuff when I'm reading but it helps.

There are some screenplays that you can breeze right through and there are others that are a slog. Surprisingly, both of them have something to say. It's just how fast they are going to say it.

[peterdwight]

One a week. Could do more. Reading good scripts will inspire me to jump into my own writings, and not so good scripts definitely strain the think-box.

Since the day job sucks a lot of my soul, I definitely have to trade off my reading/writing time. And if video games or booze take over then reading/writing totally gets neglected.

[clayjs]

Recently, meaning the last two months or so, I've been taking two days on slow scripts and reading as many as 3 a day on really good days. Since I've started on this forum, I've added scripts from here into the rotation, which, along with working on my own writing, has slowed me down a little. I'm sure I'll lose steam eventually, but I'm enjoying the pace.

[nedbrewitt]

I hardly ever read scripts but I deeply analyse films/ plays/ books on a daily basis. whatever works best for you.

[mscherer]

My intent is to read one script a week and watch one movie a week.

So far I have watched: Out of the Past, Murder My Sweet and The Set-Up -- but no scripts.

However, on my shelf now (make that computer) I have Asphalt Jungle, Double Indemnity and Murder My Sweet (catching a theme here? ;D). I'm very much interested in film noir and intend to learn all I can about that style of writing.

[churnage]

I intend to read more scripts this year. I download scripts and then read parts of them, especially the beginning. But I'm bad about finishing them.

I watch a lot of movies, but need to read more scripts.

Greg

[HBwriterMike]

This last week I've read Hanna and Pirates of the Caribbean.. and about 30 pages into Win Win. I find reading very helpful with the current project that I'm writing.. ideas and techniques sparked by the other writers.