As a new screenwriter it’d taken me some time to get my genre crossing, clunky old loco from the constructor’s yard along the tracks to that station called First Draft. This is where the well advised put their labours of love in the sidings and let the network experts have a look. ‘First draft is it laddie? ‘said a knowing old hand,’ Best you go knock on that door there, Industrial Scripts, they’ll do a nuts and bolts job on you son, oh yes’. It’s ‘belly butterflies’ time, isn’t it? The big boys and girls at Industrial Scripts are going give you a damn good hiding. I waited weeks before I pressed the send button and started on my next writing mission, just so I could pretend to be a bit nonchalant about it. Fortified with faux nonchalance and lager - Send I did, and I was well advised. Well within their promised deadline I’ve received a 12-page Film Script Coverage Report. It’s all encompassing and very structured analysis. Characterisation, dialogue, sub text, everything from considerations around my chosen title to target marketplace. This really is a thorough workover. The reviewer is candid, plainly know what they’re talking about and don’t pull punches. Where the criticisms are made, and there are many, they’re explained and alternatives are suggested. There is an element of murder one’s darlings about this which is deflating. Plot holes and questionable character actions and motivations have all been plucked out for high lighting. There are some positives in this and the reviewer does give a little succour, but this report is in no way devoted to that. It’s 12 pages of rigorous fault finding and it’s not comfortable, it’s not supposed to be, is it? It is clever, it is considered and it’s cogent. Having taken me apart in quite the way they have, I was blown away to find that the reviewer graded with an Honourable Mention and that’s hugely encouraging. It’s going to take me some time to break this report down and deal with each point. This report has obviously taken quite some time to compile having had to absorb all that needs to be absorbed from 112 pages of era hopping script. If you feel that time devoted is a measure you want to use, then this is great value for money. I’ll mention that as it may have some relevance to you before you decide to submit your work. With the content of this analysis I can now trundle out of the sidings and aim at that station called Second Draft. I couldn’t do that without this professionally delivered drubbing from Industrial Scripts. Second draft will be going back to Industrial Scripts too, as will my next project. This is serious stuff from serious people who manifestly care about their art, their industry, the profession in which they operate. They’re going to be a vital part of my process now. I can only speak as a new screenwriter and you’ll find reviews here from far more established folk than me. Different strokes for different folks, right? If you’re where I am, stalling at first draft buffers, see those sidings, park it there and knock on the door marked Industrial Scripts. You might not like everything they’re going to tell you, but you won’t regret it if you want your train on the network because, as we all know, there’s plenty of trains and only inordinately faddy passengers. I have no hesitation in giving a 5 STAR RATING Keith L