Question: How do you read scripts?

Since this week we’ve kicked off our weekly GITS Script Reading & Analysis series, I thought I’d ask a seemingly obvious question: How do you read scripts? But it may not be that simple.

Sure, there is still the tried and true approach: Print out a hard copy, three hole paper, 1 1/2 inch brads. That’s still my preferred way to read a script.

However paper comes from trees. And trees are our friends. So there is a certain compulsion to explore alternatives.

I thought I could never get into the habit of reading scripts on my computer, but lo and behold I’ve started to turn that corner, especially since I can now annotate PDFs. That saves me the laborious process I’ve used for two decades: Scrawl my notes into the margins of a hard copy script, then coalesce those notes into a Word doc which I type up. Typing my notes into the PDF cuts that time in half… and means I don’t have to try to interpret my atrocious handwriting.

I will say this: If it’s my own script which I’m reading to revise? It has to be on paper. Favorite chair. Hard copy of the script. And my favorite pens: Pentel Rolling Writer.

How about you? Can you read scripts electronically? Or must you print them out on paper?

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