What is FastTrack?

The FilmTracker FastTrack is a coverage service that is available for screenwriters posting material on the web site. Coverage is a summary and critical analysis of your material. It consists of a logline (one sentence summary), comments (paragraph summarizing the reader's opinion of the material), synopsis (one to two page summary), critical analysis (one page of extended analysis) and a recommendation of the writer and project (pass, consider or recommend). View Sample Coverage.

Why should I get Coverage?

Coverage is the OVERWHELMING standard of material analysis in Hollywood. Simply put, everybody uses it. Why? The main reason is TIME. Most executives, agents, or managers just don't have the time to read every single piece of material they receive. Coverage understandably sets off a red flag in the minds of many writers. 'How can these executives trust the analysis of a reader that spent 3 or 4 hours with a piece of material that I spent 6 months writing?' These concerns are justified, but the unfortunate truth is that this is the only way executives can handle the tremendous volume of material that comes across thier desks. As it stands today, coverage is still the first barrier of entry into Hollywood, and without it, getting your material read is extremely difficult.

This is not to say that without coverage, your material will go unnoticed on the site. If you write a great logline and synopsis that catches the attention of the buyer or manager, you still might get a number of bites. A former studio head once read a ONE PARAGRAPH query cover letter that was so beautifully written that she called the undiscovered writer personally and asked for the material. The writer was working at a gas station at the time, and she launched his career. He went on to win two Oscars. 

Again, great writing will ALWAYS be discovered... no writer should ever lose faith in this tenet.  However, the truth is that good coverage helps.... a lot.

We offer coverage service to writers, and if you are (a) trying to break into Hollywood, (b) have faith in your work and (c) are SERIOUS about your writing career, we strongly recommend it. We hire our readers on a freelance basis, and they are the SAME group of seasoned readers used by the major Hollywood studios (i.e. their opinions are trusted). If your coverage comes back positive, YOU can opt to make it available for people to read on the site.

One more note on FastTrack: please keep in mind that most coverage comes back negative. Readers are tough critics, and this isn't a small-time audition. You're trying out for the Major Leagues, and if the studio is going to shell out hundreds of THOUSANDS of dollars for your script, they want it to get flying marks. If your coverage comes back negative, don't panic. It will NOT be made public on the site unless YOU OPT to do so. And, even negative coverage from a top reader is good feedback that will better your script.

Who will be covering my script?

FilmTracker out sources its coverage to qualified story analysts. These are the same readers used by the major production companies and studios using the site. FilmTracker does not make judgments or opinions of any content posted on the site. FilmTracker is providing you with access to professional script analysis as well as access to creative content buyers.

How am I protected from other users "stealing" my ideas?

Unfortunately, there is no sure-fire way of protecting your ideas, and there are ABSOLUTELY NO production companies or studios that will read a submission if the writer hasn’t agreed to and signed a release form (PLEASE NOTE THAT EVERY WRITER THAT POSTS A PROJECT ON THIS WEBSITE MUST AGREE TO THIS RELEASE FORM).  To protect your ideas, we strongly urge you to register your submissions with the Writers Guild of America and / or the U.S. Copyright Office.  We also urge you to utilize the license manager we've created that allows you to track and approve who downloads your material.   If you use the site properly, NOBODY will be able to download or view your material without your prior notification and approval.  One last note, if your script is good, it is much easier (and usually less expensive) for the producer or company to buy it rather than copy it!

If the analysis comes back negative, will it still be posted for public viewing?

Absolutely not. As with everything else on FilmTracker, you ultimately control your content. Regardless of whether the coverage is positive or not, you have the option of posting the results.

How long will it take for the COVERAGE to be completed?

Normally the coverage will be completed within one to two weeks from the time the request is submitted and payment is received.

What is the Fee for FastTrack?

If you would like us to have your screenplay or novel analyzed ('covered') by a professional reader, we charge $99.95 for standard format 90-120 page screenplays, $149 for screenplays longer than 120 pages and $249 for manuscripts or novels. After reviewing the analysis, you have the option of posting this coverage to a highlighted area of the web site.

Enter a project now!

Return to Help