Is Your Script Ready For Submission? - The Definitive Quiz

It's high time we set the record straight, and got down to brass tacks - I've made it no secret that script reading, whilst rewarding, can be a bit of a nightmare at times. The title of this article may have lead you to believe I was doing something for you, but, let me be completely transparent here, this article is totally, selfishly for my sole benefit. If it manages to help you along the way, well, let's just call that a happy bonus. If your speculative screenplay makes it through this vigorous test, then I'll be more than happy to look at it someday. If not, read between the lines. Results are at the bottom of the page...

1) Have you actually finished writing it yet?
If Yes, go to Question #2.
If No, go to Result #1.

2) Have you read it through on your own, more than once?
If Yes, go to Question #3.
If No, go to Question #4.

3) Have you had a friend (or family member) read it and give you feedback?
If Yes, go to Question #5.
If No, go to Question #4.

4) Do you think that reading your work, or someone else reading your work, is actually valuable?
If Yes, go back to Question #3, and get it read.
If No, go to Result #2.

5) Be honest, does that friend (or family member) have a basic knowledge of screenwriting?
If Yes, go to Question #6.
If No, go back to Question #3, and reach out to someone who does.

6) How was their feedback and how have you acted on it?
If "Great, I implemented all of their suggestions", go to Question #7.
If "Good, I implemented most of their suggestions", also go to Question #7.
If "Not good, I didn't implement any of their suggestions", go to Question #8.

7) Do you believe you have improved the script by implementing the suggested changes?
If Yes, go to Question #9.
If No, go to Result #3.

8) Did you lie on Question #5?
If Yes, go to back to Question #3, and get feedback from a better source.
If No, go to Result #4.

9) Do you genuinely think your script is ready for submission?
If Yes, go to Question #10.
If No, go to Result #5.

10) Like, seriously, absolutely, 110% sure?
If Yes, go to Question #11.
If No, go to Result #5.

11) Is this your first screenplay ever?
If Yes, go to Question #12.
If No, go to Question #14.

12) Have you ever had your dreams brutally stepped on before?
If Yes, go to Question #13.
If No, go to Result #6.

13) How did it feel having your dreams get brutally stepped on?
If Good, go to Question #14.
If Not Good, go to Result #6.

14) Can you name an existing film / TV show that's similar to your script?
If Yes, go to Question #15.
If No, go to Question #16.

15) How similar on a scale of 1-10 are we talking here?
If "Between 1 and 3, only some passing resemblances", go to Question #16.
If "Between 4 and 6, it draws a lot from its influences", go to Question #17.
If "Between 7 and 10, I love that film / TV show!", go to Result #7.

16) Have you taken the time to research if there's anything more similar out there?
If "Yes, and there's nothing", go to Question #18.
If "Yes, and I did find something else", go back to Question #15.
If "No", go back to Question #14 after having done that research.

17) Will other people immediately draw comparisons between your work and theirs?
If Yes, go to Result #7.
If No, go to Question #18.

18) Does your script include a page that consists solely of dialogue?
If Yes, go to Result #8.
If No, go to Question #19.

19) Does your scene description include any implicit camera directions or "We see..."?
If Yes, go to Result #8.
If No, go to Question #20.

20) Do you have a title page, along with your name and contact details?
If Yes, go to Question #21.
If No, add that in right away, and repeat Question #20.

21) Does your script 100% fit the brief for what has been asked of you?
If "Yes, 100%", go to Question #23.
If "Mostly", go to Question #22.
If "No", go to Result #9.

22) Do you think that will matter to the people you're submitting to?
If Yes, take all the necessary steps to get it to 100%, and go back to Question #21.
If No, go to Result #9.

23) Have included all of the materials they've asked for?
If "Yes, 100%", go to Question #24.
If "Mostly", go to Question #22.
If "No", sort that out immediately, and repeat Question #23.

24) Is this the absolute best that this piece of work can possibly be?
If Yes, go to Question #25.
If No, go back to Question #1 after improving it to that standard.

25) Are you prepared to deal with the emotional fallout if you are not successful?
If Yes, go to Result #10.
If No, repeat Question #25 until you are totally, completely, 100% ready.

THE RESULTS:

1) You Are Not Ready For Submission

In fact, you're the furthest away you could possibly be from submitting this piece of work. Get it finished, check it over, and come back to this quiz once it's a completed script.

2) You Are Not Ready For Submission

Sounds like someone has thrown their toys out of the pram before. Once you realise the value of having others read your work and give feedback, you'll be able to take your work to the next level.

3) You Are Not Ready For Submission

Why on Earth did you implement them?! Identifying worthwhile feedback is as important as receiving it. Get suggestions from multiple sources, and see where the common issues lie.

4) You Are Not Ready For Submission

You've been telling porkies, mate. Anyone with a basic knowledge of writing can give workable feedback. Implement the changes, or find someone else more qualified to give you suggestions.

5) You Are Not Ready For Submission

Honestly, you've just wasted your own time by even thinking it was worth taking this quiz. You should only be considering submitting work that you know is up to its best possible standard.

6) You Are Not Ready For Submission

As great as your first script may be in your head, everyone's first script is simply not good enough. Submit very much at your own caution, after you've taken the time to develop a thick skin.

7) You Are Not Ready For Submission

I don't want to say that you've wasted your time writing this script, but I will. You've wasted your time writing this script. If it already exists out there in the real world, no one is going to want to touch your version.

8) You Are Not Ready For Submission

You've been let down by an over-confidence in your abilities (and your friends who read your work). These are basic errors that immediately put yourself on the top of many readers' naughty lists.

9) You Are Not Ready For Submission

You've got this far, so why be careless? Receiving work outside of the required brief is frustrating for those in charge, and, actually, pretty damn disrespectful. Sort it out immediately.

10) Congratulations! Your Script Is Ready For Submission!

Providing you've answered with complete honesty, your script is ready to be seen by readers, agents, producers, competitions, etc. You'll just have to wait to find out if it's any good or not...

James Cottle, a Scriptwriting Mega-Scholar™, is now a real world Freelance Writer, in between intense bouts of Script Reading. Follow him on Twitter @Jxmxsc, "like" the Anti-Scriptwriting page on Facebook, and share this blog if you want his opinions on your work to be completely unbiased.