Coverage Details
Online Coverage Service
Slamance coverage is a direct line of communication from our readers to aspiring screenwriters. It is between 1200-1500 words (approximately 2-3 pages) and consists of constructive criticism that is meant to help screenwriters hone their work into the best possible draft. Check out the following link for a sample of Slamdance style coverage:
Sample Online Coverage Service
Slamdance coverage will give you insight into the mind of a reader who reads a few hundred screenplays a year and will assist in crafting the submission into something that can advance in any competition and impress agents, reps, and producers.
Online Coverage Service is available year-round. Slamdance Readers are all industry professionals and all have a combination of the following qualifications: professional production/development coverage background, experience reading for other competitions, Slamdance alumni filmmakers and/or screenwriters, professional screenwriters, playwrights and journalists.
To receive Slamdance Coverage you will either need to submit your work as part of the Slamdance Screenplay Competition (click on link for submission deadlines) or fill out a Submission Form and follow the procedure below. If you choose this second option, you have either missed the submission deadline and still want coverage, or you would like detailed feedback without being considered for the competition just yet. We accept hard copy screenplays, (pdf) screenplays on disc, or e-mail (pdf) screenplays to coverage@slamdance.com.
Rushed Coverage
Online coverage will be available within one week of arriving in the Slamdance office. All of the above details apply to the Rushed Coverage Service. The cost is in addition to the base fee: ($30-$40) plus an additional $80. Do not include the fee for basic coverage service ($50). An e-mail will be sent to the address that you provide when the coverage is available. To view sample coverage use this link: Sample Online Coverage Service
Second Reader Option
We encourage you to select the multiple reader option. Based on the comments and score of the first reader, a percentage of scripts will go on to be read multiple times for finalist contention. But to guarantee that a second reader reviews your script, we give you the option to ensure an extra read. Keep in mind that quality scripts will be read multiple times regardless of the additional fee.
COVERAGE SERVICE FEE
- $90 Online Coverage available in a month
- $150 Rushed Coverage available in a week
ADDITIONAL FEES
- +$80 Second Piece of Coverage (from two different readers)
- +$130 Second Piece of Rushed Coverage (from two different readers)
- +$1 Per page (scripts in excess of pg. 130)
DISCOUNTS
(Discounts cannot be combined)
- Multiple Scripts: $5 off each screenplay
- Students: $10 off
- International Submissions: $10 off
SUBMISSION PROCEDURE
- Return to the main Slamdance Writing page and choose online application to begin the submission process. If you do not have a new Slamdance account created since our website upgrade, you will need to create an new username and password
- You may choose to pay by credit card online and upload your screenplay, or pay online and send us a hard copy, or send us a check or money order made out to Slamdance Inc. included with your hard copy screenplay
- If you choose to send us a screenplay, send it to:
Slamdance Coverage Service
5634 Melrose Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90038 - You will be alerted by e-mail the coverage has been posted for your review. Please e-mail and comments you have to screenplay@slamdance.com.
FEEDBACK DETAILS
Everyone who submits a script to Slamdance will get a response from our readers that includes a log-line & genre suggestion and an indication of the strongest and weakest categories. Feedback is minimal compared to the extensive notes provided with our Coverage Service.
To view a sample of the feedback provided for every entry, use this link
COVERAGE DETAILS
Slamdance Online Coverage is broken up into five different catagories. It includes a comprehensive story breakdown/concept summary and goes on to address "what works", "what doesn't work" and "how it can be improved". These three categories are the heart of the coverage and should be used for further revisions. The final category is to give the screenwriter an idea of "what is the next step" in their writing career. This will address media, films, screenplays, production companies and agencies they should be aware of as well as any words of wisdom from an industry professional.
To view sample coverage use this link:
Sample Online Coverage Service
PARTCIPANT RESPONSES
“There can be no wonder just why I've submitted to the Slamdance contests over the last few years. With feedback like this, I think my chances of going to the next level have improved substantially.”
-Jeremy Wilmarth, THE MIND OF GOD
“The coverage Slamdance provided shows a commitment on the part of Slamdance to support and nurture fledgling writer and further bolsters my hope for this project as it continues to develop through its evolutionary process.”
-Desi Poteet, TREADING WATER
“The coverage was far more insightful, more helpful, more detailed than the coverage I paid several hundred bucks for. Your reviewer has so thoroughly analyzed the script that it could be worth my while to take another crack at it. You can bet I will enter again next year!”
-Dick Keith, MY ANGEL’S NAME IS ELVIS
“I was very surprised by the time, attention and effort they invested in the coverage. They were able to convey a sense that they were truly invested in helping improve this screenplay and by no means just 'doing their job'. I was very much impressed with the thought they put into highlighting everything that was both right and wrong with the script, from specific lines on specific pages and to the larger themes and narrative elements of the story that needed rethinking. It is the kind of coverage I would have expected from one of the 'services' that charge hundreds of dollars for a substantially less helpful report.”
-Guy L. Winch, THE LAMB
“The Nicholl's may have the big cash settlement, but you've got that priceless human touch for those of us who still like interacting with other human beings.”
-Rob Walton, BLOODLINES
“Clearly the reader spent time and effort to provide thoughtful and provoking feedback both on the strengths and the weaknesses. Many comments resonated and will be extremely helpful as I approach rewriting. In addition to the constructive feedback, the reader provided a supportive next steps summary that gave me confidence in the project, which is very much appreciated. It shows a dedication to helping artists develop as well as get a leg up in terms of the industry and that truly sets it apart.”
-Kristina Robbins, THE WHORE OF HAVERSHAM
“I just received the comments and I was very impressed by its details. I'm very glad to read it. I plan to work on the script again based on the comment I received and will submit again by the deadline. I think I'll submit other scripts of mine as they become ready since I think I can get a lot from your service.”
-Yu Hasegawa PLEASE READ
“I wanted to let you know that the coverage I received on my submission was extremely helpful. I've read and written a lot of coverage, and think that the notes I received from Slamdance were thoughtful, careful, and offered very good suggestions for improvement.”
-Jacob Forman, ALL THE BOYS LOVE MANDY LANE
“I thoroughly enjoyed the coverage… it wasn't all positive, of course, but it was constructive and encouraging (not cold and pissy and impersonal like so much coverage is). It was also very obvious that the reader had read the whole thing and paid attention, which is nice. The reader even made a really funny suggestion for a new joke – now THAT was not expected! That just doesn't happen.”
-Frank Jenkins, 1-800-CAR-WRECK
“I just received coverage from you for my script and I'm impressed with the comments. They were pointed yet helpful, intelligent without being condescending. That seems to be a rarity in the world of script coverage. I appreciate the help. I think I'll find them useful in working on the script.”
-Bob Leitc, HANCER
“I would like to thank the reader for the outstanding coverage.”
-Ted Mendenhall, IN THE SHADOW OF EVEL
“Your coverage on my screenplay has been worth it's weight in gold! The reader obviously read every word and offered a few suggestions for strategically placed confrontations that elevated the tension level a thousand percent! I made the changes with minimal effort, sent it out and already got a call from a producer saying it was absolutely terrifying! Although it is not the family film they were looking for she said they'll definitely keep it in mind for the future!”
-Claudia Adams, BEG FOR YOUR LIFE!
“I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for the remarkable coverage I received this last week. The coverage was perceptive, thorough and empathetic. All criticism came from a wellspring of compassion for the writer: HOW CAN WE MAKE THIS SCRIPT BETTER! Kudos to your wonderful staff. I truly look forward to working with you again in the future.”
-Bill Stoddard, ALL THE STARS IN HEAVEN
“I thought that coverage was very fair and helpful. Thank you so much. I know that I am not the ‘creative genius’ that carries work that others just "don't get" and that my script had some real problems. This gives me a chance to work out the kinks and re-submit the script or another one or three others next year. Thanks so much and I hope to work with this screenplay competition again.”
-Chris Alexis, AIDAN
“Please relay my sincere thanks to the readers who provided coverage on my scripts. In both cases it was extremely thorough, insightful, and helpful to me for rewrites. Thanks again for the great coverage and the great competition you run.”
-Bart Marshall, NOTHING TO FORGIVE & TIGER LADY
“I received my coverage and I found it very insightful and valuable. I have already started making some changes based on the feedback you provided, and I have found that your comments are consistent with the comments I have received from other competitions I have entered.”
-Dan Pollock, AMERICAN VENGEANCE
“Over the course of the past year, I've gotten a lot of feed back and coverage on my script. The coverage, your reader provided could not have been more on the money: the comments were insightful, specific, thoughtful, intelligent and tremendously helpful... I'm truly thankful.”
-Marchel Shipman-Mueller, TREASURE
“My coverage was received, respected, and much appreciated. My thanks to the reader for their very sincere, well considered insights.”
-Glenn MacIntosh, AROUSED
“Feedback on my submission was excellent. The critique was exactly what I needed to know and given with enough affirmation to keep me going. I feel it will work as I now see how to take the next step.”
-Dona Marans, JULIAN
I received your coverage of my screenplay and even though it did not make it to the finals, I deeply appreciate your meticulous evaluation as well as your encouragement for me to keep working and elaborating my script.
-Greta Ghacibeh, HALF HER LIFE IN HALF AN HOUR
I very much appreciated the critique you provided for my screenplay. It was both encouraging and on-target.
-Richard Paley, BLACK TOM