Questions: “How can I maximize a ‘Strong Consider’ coverage on my script?”

An open forum question from Westin:

A few months ago I was able to have my script submitted to one of the major agencies for coverage. The coverage came back a ‘Strong Consider’ and my contact told me he’s never seen coverage so good. The first agent that looked at it liked it but passed on it for the concept being a little too similar to another script he’s repping. I haven’t heard anything else since. How can I maximize a ‘Strong Consider’ coverage report from a major agency? Is it okay to put that in a query? I was told that this coverage will take me a long way, but it hasn’t.

First off, there are typically three bottom line categorizations of script coverage — Recommend, Consider, Pass. Most readers rarely if ever commit to a “Recommend” because if The Powers That Be read the script and aren’t wowed by it, they are likely to lose faith in the perceptive abilities of said reader. In that context, a “Strong Consider” is, indeed, high praise.

Re the coverage taking you a long way…
Possibly so.
But you have to realize that Hollywood is fueled by hype.
And hype is another word for “lying.”

There’s that old line:
How do you know when someone in Hollywood is lying?
When they open their mouths.

So in any conversation or communication you may have with someone in Hwood…
When you say, “My script got fantastic coverage from [unnamed] agency”…
If the person you’re talking to has any experience in The Biz…
Likely they will be thinking this:
He’s lying.

Actually they may also be thinking this:
If his script got such great coverage…
Why didn’t the agency sign him?

So my recommendation:
Do everything you can to get a copy of that coverage.
Once I wrote a script that got phenomenal coverage at Paramount.
In it, the reader wrote, “This script is the Babe Ruth of comedies.”
Unfortunately the project did not go on to get produced.
And since I didn’t have a copy of the coverage…
Only my producer’s word for it…
That coverage was worth the equivalent of net points.
In other words — nothing.

If your “contact” can obtain a copy of the script coverage…
Good.
But even if they can’t…
You’re not sunk.
Based upon the strength of that coverage…
I’d recommend contacting every agency you can find.
And in your query…
Let them know that your script has been reviewed at a major agency…
And it received a “Strong Consider.”

They may suspect you of hype…
But you know you’re telling the truth.
And that sincerity and energy should come through your words.

Your first goal is to get someone at an agency on the phone…
After that, you should read this post to see how to work things.

Beyond that…
Based on that coverage…
Be confident!
Someone ‘inside’ The Biz has read and responded positively to your script.
Great!
See what you can do to build on that with the script in question (see above).
Then come up with an even better story concept…
And write an even better script.
One no agency will be able to pass on.

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