Real. Talk. Getting someone to read your screenplay is no day at the beach. Getting real feedback that earns your screenplay a greenlight? It’s probably easier to ask someone to borrow money. Sure, you could show it to your mom, but unless she’s an industry vet, she’s probably going to love it no matter what. Dad will ignore it. Girlfriend will claim she has a girls’ night out.
You could turn to contests. But you’re waiting six or seven months to see if you made it into the quarterfinals. Or you could pay anywhere from $80 on the Black List (with a $25 script listing) or hundreds of dollars to get coverage on a platform like Slated.
Writers need someone who knows the game, someone who’s been in the trenches and can tell you if your script is the next big thing or needs a complete overhaul. That’s where Greenlight Coverage comes in.
Greenlight Coverage is a user-friendly software solution tailored for writers and producers. With the platform, simply upload your script and receive 7-8 pages of comprehensive feedback instantly. The AI rates various aspects of your script on a scale from 1 to 10, and provides a detailed synopsis, positive comments, and actionable suggestions for improvement.
SAMPLE:
Logline
After a detective resurrects an executed serial killer to take revenge on his former victim and her niece, the women must fight to stop the supernatural villain that is now pursuing them.
Genre
Horror, Thriller, Mystery
Plot Assessment and Enhancement
What’s Working Well:
- The opening scene effectively establishes a dark, suspenseful tone and introduces the specter of the serial killer Gideon “Cupid” Miller.
- Jack Hart is set up as an intriguing, complex protagonist with a haunted backstory related to catching Miller. His obsession provides an emotional core.
- The plot builds tension around whether Miller’s killings are the work of a supernatural copycat or something more sinister tied to Jack.
- Emma and Kayla are compelling, relatable characters that raise the stakes. Their connection to Megan and the Miller case adds intrigue.
- The story explores interesting concepts around technology, possession, and the nature of evil. – Several creepy, suspenseful scenes that create a sense of unease and danger (VR game attack, shed discovery, etc.)
What Could Be Improved:
- The plot is quite complex with many threads to follow. Simplifying or consolidating some storylines could increase cohesion.
- Megan’s backstory and connection to Jack could use more detail or setup earlier on to make the revelations land harder.
- The ending sequence, while dramatic, packs many reveals and twists in a short span which feels rushed. Spreading out some of those beats could heighten the tension.
- D’Andre’s role in the climax could be more defined or integral to the resolution. His bravery feels slightly disconnected.
- The possession concept introduced late could use more foreshadowing or hints earlier so it doesn’t feel like a surprise twist.
- Overall, there is a strong, eerie narrative spine with scare potential. With some refinements to pacing and story structure, the intriguing ideas and scary set pieces could resonate even more powerfully. I’m happy to provide any other specific suggestions or feedback on improving the plot.
Location Setting
Chicago
Script Score
- Character Development: 7/10 – The main characters like Emma, Kayla, Jack, and D’Andre are well developed with clear motivations and backstories. The killer Miller/Jack is suitably sinister. Some side characters could be more fleshed out.
- Plot Construction: 8/10 – The plot has a clear escalating threat and builds tension well. The story ties together elements from the past and present. The climax and resolution deliver. A few plot points could be tighter.
- Dialogue: 8/10 – The dialogue generally sounds natural for the most part and moves the story forward. Particularly strong in arguments and emotional moments. Could trim some expository dialogues.
- Originality: 9/10 – The core premise of a cop using a notorious serial killer to commit murder is quite original. The supernatural/tech twist with phones is innovative. Homages classic horror while feeling modern.
- Emotional Engagement: 9/10 – There are very strong emotional beats in the mother-daughter relationship, high stakes, and moments of grief/loss. The thrills and scares land throughout.
- Theme and Message: 7/10 – The broad themes of obsession, grief, and corruption of power come through. The exploration of motherhood and female relationships works. Could go deeper in conveying the messages.
Overall Rating: 8/10
For as low as $55.
Jack Zhang is the Founder of Greenlight Essentials, a SaaS company. Under his leadership, Greenlight Essentials has evolved to offer cutting-edge solutions, most notably through the platform, which provides premium script analysis and market insights to filmmakers and producers. This platform reflects his vision of blending AI with creative processes to enhance film development, production and distribution strategies.
Additionally, the program generates a potential logline, cast list and movie comparisons, and offers an interactive AI Q&A session to address specific questions about your script. This tool promises to streamline the review process, making it easier than ever to refine your screenplay.
Reel Chicago had a chance to discuss the advantages of Greenlight Coverage with Jack:
What inspired you to create Greenlight Coverage, and how did your vision for the platform evolve during its development?
The idea for Greenlight Coverage stemmed from a personal challenge I faced after working on numerous screenplays over a decade in the industry. I often found myself chasing down feedback, which was not only time-consuming but also frustrating, as quality notes were hard to come by. Greenlight Coverage was born to address this very problem, providing screenwriters with the timely, high-quality feedback they need to refine their work.
Over time, my vision for the platform has evolved from simply solving a personal pain point to creating a hub where talented screenwriters can connect with the right producers. My ultimate goal is for Greenlight Coverage to be a place where great scripts don’t just get better—they get discovered.
How do you see AI transforming the script coverage industry, and what challenges did you face in integrating AI with human insights for your service?
AI is undeniably transforming many aspects of the entertainment industry, including script coverage. However, I believe AI should be viewed as a powerful tool that complements, rather than replaces, the creativity and intuition of writers and producers. One of the biggest challenges we faced was educating users on how to leverage AI effectively.
It’s about striking the right balance—using AI to provide rapid, data-driven insights while ensuring the human touch remains central to the creative process. Our goal is to empower users with AI-enhanced tools that make the process of refining scripts more efficient, without compromising the artistry involved.
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Can you share any success stories from screenwriters who have used Greenlight Coverage to significantly improve their scripts or land deals?
We’ve had numerous success stories where screenwriters used our coverage notes to significantly enhance their scripts, which they then included in their pitch packages. These refined scripts have gone on to garner serious attention, and while we’re still in the early stages, we’re already seeing the positive impact.
We’re also excited about our upcoming contest, which will leverage our industry connections to match outstanding scripts with key gatekeepers. I’m confident that many deals will emerge from this initiative, further establishing Greenlight Coverage as a catalyst for screenwriting success.
What distinguishes Greenlight Coverage from traditional script coverage services, especially in terms of the quality and depth of feedback provided?
Having personally used many traditional script coverage services, I’ve often found that the feedback can be inconsistent—sometimes you wonder if the reader truly understood the script or even read it thoroughly. What sets Greenlight Coverage apart is our commitment to providing comprehensive, high-quality notes for every screenplay, no exceptions.
Our service ensures that every script is fully read and analyzed, delivering insightful feedback that can genuinely improve the work. Additionally, while traditional services might take a week or two to provide notes, we deliver ours in minutes, ensuring that writers can move forward with their revisions without delay.
What criteria does Greenlight Coverage use to assess a script’s market potential, and how do you ensure this aligns with current industry trends?
We assess a script’s market potential based on key criteria such as Character Development, Plot Construction, Dialogue, Originality, Emotional Engagement, and Theme and Message. These elements are crucial to the creative side of the industry and reflect what makes a script stand out.
We’re also in the process of integrating proprietary models that will offer financial insights, providing a more holistic evaluation of a script’s potential. This approach ensures that our assessments are not only in line with industry trends but also give writers a clear understanding of how their scripts might perform in the marketplace.
How do you envision the future of Greenlight Coverage in the next five years? Are there any upcoming features or expansions you can share with us?
In the next five years, I envision Greenlight Coverage becoming the industry’s go-to ratings agency, where every script uploaded to our platform receives a comprehensive Greenlight Rating. This rating could become a key factor in how scripts are evaluated by producers and investors.
Beyond that, we aim to facilitate deals directly through the platform, making Greenlight Coverage not just a tool for refinement, but also a launchpad for successful projects. We have several exciting features in the pipeline, including enhanced AI-driven insights and expanded marketplace capabilities, which will further solidify our position as a leader in the script coverage industry.
Given the rise of AI in creative fields, how do you balance technology with the need for a human touch in providing insightful script feedback?
I firmly believe that the human touch is irreplaceable in the creative process. While AI is a powerful tool that can greatly enhance efficiency and provide valuable insights, it should be used to support, not replace, human creativity.
In the near future, I believe that those who embrace AI will have an edge, but ultimately, it’s the unique perspective and emotional depth that only humans can bring that will continue to drive truly compelling storytelling.
Upload your screenplay here for instant coverage.
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