ASK & DISCUSS INDEX

9 years, 4 months ago - Tom Lassu

Well, have you sold it already? Is just editing or rewriting, doctoring, consulting?

9 years, 4 months ago - Lyn Webster Wilde

Tom, I am not right this minute wanting a script editor. I am putting a budget together and need to get a sense of what it would cost to hire a good script editor for a couple of days work, say reading, commenting, discussing and reading again after writer has rewritten. No doctoring or re-writing! Ball park figure fine.

9 years, 4 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin

There are no fixed fees, it'll come down to what you negotiate, and how much value they add. I'm sure Simon Beaufoy will script edit if the rate is right, or you might find another writer without credits or awards will do it for a lot less... but they are unproven (and could be awful!).

9 years, 4 months ago - David Roberts

I would do it for no money, just a credit and a testimonial, mainly for the reason that I am unproven.

9 years, 4 months ago - jane foster

Lyn, most good editors charge by the session with email follow up. I'd suggest that you get what you pay for and so if you're near finance stage you really need someone good who knows the production process. Also someone who gets how a line producer works. Most editors are happy to quote depending on your budget, I'd charge you £30per hour plus email feedback after I'd read the script which would take a couple of hours, but I'm flexible!

Best wishes and good luck Jane

9 years, 4 months ago - Lyn Webster Wilde

Thanks, Jane, that was the kind of figure I was thinking of. May get back to you when ready!

9 years, 4 months ago - Chris Bogle

There are some great readers in the UK and I used two well known reputable ones on my short. The best charged £50 for a 10 page short. £120 for 90 pages and his feedback was worth every penny.

So not terribly expensive and I think most are up for negotiation when it comes to subsequent reads and feedback.

9 years, 4 months ago - Jac Nunns

I pay my excellent script editor £300 for thorough notes on first serious draft. Thereafter it is £160 each rewrite.

9 years, 4 months ago - Abid Khan

If you're going straight into production then I wouldn't hire a script reader/editor. Instead give it to you actors and work together on improving it. This is what rehearsal as it's no longer words on a paper but words in actor's mouths which are two different things.

However if you are not making the film yourself and you want to get the script the best you want to get it because you want to submit to production companies/established producers then get a well known script reader which as mentioned can set you back between 150-300 per draft.

But it sound to me that you are making this film yourself. If you are be confident in your own work. Art is subjective and at the end of the day it's your opinion that matters. If you think the script is ready, it's ready.