Rather than working to the theory that there is one best way to highlight a script, Script Revolution offers multiple ways for material to find its way in front of industry members and it's best to try and ultilise all of them, if you can. If you are looking for a silver bullet, you will not find one. Industry members find material here in a variety of ways which is good news to anyone new to the site or uploading fresh content.
The Basics
The best place to start, and I'm sorry if this sounds a little corny, is with having great story concepts with great loglines and engaging synopses that explain who the characters are and how the story plays out. That's what readers are exposed to more than anything else, and it will help demonstrate your value and craft skills as a writer. In addition to that, it's essential to make sure you have tagged your scripts with all the appropriate tags, as you don't want to miss out on any of those specific searches readers make where your material may apply. A high impact poster image will not only draw attention to your material and help communicate the subject and tone, it may get your scripts onto the Poster Wall. It's also important to come across as professional. Have you completed your bio? Have you uploaded a decent headshot? What about your IMDb? Beyond that, you can gain favourites on your scripts over time as more people read them and this will be shown next your scripts in listings to help them stand out.
More Scripts, More Opportunities
One of the strongest patterns is that writers benefit from treating Script Revolution as a portfolio platform rather than somewhere to upload one script and disappear.
Across the platform, writers have accumulated more than 100,000 follows.
The median writer with five or more listings has received 73 reads, 8 bookmarks or favourites, and 19 followers.
With ten or more listings, those medians rise to 164 reads, 18 bookmarks or favourites, and 29 followers.
With twenty or more listings, they rise again to 389 reads, 42 bookmarks or favourites, and 51 followers.
A read shows interest in a script. A follow shows interest in the writer. The more work somebody has available, the more opportunities there are for one script to lead a reader towards another.
Detail Makes a Difference
Script Revolution has always encouraged writers to build their listings into mini-pitches rather than simply uploading a PDF and adding the minimum required information.
The data suggests that makes a substantial difference.
Scripts with no deeper metadata than the minimum required had a read rate of 71.9% and were bookmarked at 35.2%.
Scripts with 4–10 searchable metadata fields completed had a read rate of around 86% and were bookmarked at roughly 52%.
That doesn't necessarily mean filling in metadata causes somebody to read a script. More detailed listings simply have more ways to appear in searches and give readers more information when deciding whether the material is right for them.
Rockstar Benefits
Scripts added by Rockstar Members go first in all listings and are eligible to appear in the Top 100 list, Hot List, and front page featured block, plus Rockstars themselves are showcased in the monthly newsletter and Rockstars page.
Statistics show Rockstar Members get 2.4 times more reads, nearly 4 times more saves, and 5 times more followers.
So the strategy can be as follows;
- Write great story concepts (well duh!).
- Make your listings as detailed and engaging as possible.
- Get a kick-ass poster made and add it to the listing.
- Be patient as people read and (hopefully) favourite your work.
- Become a Rockstar Member to further stand out.
When it comes to your short scripts, Script Revolution has the added bonus of allowing you to submit them to the Review team who may give it a positive review. No guarantees though. It's free after all.