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MAYDAY! Coverfly Shutting Down!
Cover-Fallen
| Dear Film and TV Industry, Over the past five years, I’ve been improving my craft of screenwriting. I’ve been writing for over 30 years, and the struggle has been long and tough. While pursuing other creative roles like directing and video editing, screenwriting has always been at the center of my passions. At times, sometimes for a whole year, I suffered from writer’s block or impostor syndrome. |
| It’s tough being a screenwriter, especially when unproduced. You take classes and watch webinars, listen to successful writers and development people share tips and trends, but where do you stand as a screenwriter? How do you gauge your progress? |
Coverfly
Starting in 2020, my feature-length screenplays started to place as Quarter Finalists. Coverfly was not just a platform to post your scripts. You could see first-hand how well your script was doing. Although I never made the Red List, the top tier, it gave me something to shoot for. Coverfly kept a record of your submissions and gave out badges when your script received an accolade. Even when your script didn’t place, but scored high enough, your Coverfly rank could improve a little bit.
When it’s hard enough to gain attention as a writer, every little boost helps.
Below is what I have to show for the last 5 years thanks to Coverfly.
Peer-To-Peer
Coverfly had a free peer-to-peer option for those seeking feedback and don’t have the money or resources to swap with other writers. I used this a few times for feedback. As a budding script reader, reviewing other writers’ scripts was a good practice.
Writers shared their ‘Coverfly profile’ on their social media accounts. Industry people could check out profiles showcasing a writer’s bio., industry and life experience, projects, and script accolades. It’s unclear to me how many industry people were checking out profiles.
It’s a mystery to me why and how this wonderful service needed to go. It doesn’t seem to be bought by another company. Cast & Crew owns Industry Arts. Industry Arts had several screenplay and coverage companies under their label that were shut down earlier this year: ScreenCraft, WeScreenplay, The Script Lab and Launchpad.
What happened? It’s about business and money. Either way, screenwriters have to keep finding ways to stand out and get hired.
There are other screenplay platforms. Some company needs to build another platform where screenwriters can post their scripts and find resources so they can reach their writing goals.
Script Reader
This past week I read a screenplay and wrote coverage for a client on Talentville, another screenplay platform. You can check Talentville out at https://www.talentville.com/
Last year, I read screenplays and wrote coverage for the Austin Film Festival. I’m reading again this year.
I also have a script reading gig on Fiverr.
“Ross was very prompt and quick to respond. Very knowledgeable and professional. He provided me with an analysis that went above and beyond my expectations, providing me great feedback to help take my screenplay and future ones to the next level. Invaluable information, that I greatly appreciate!”
– Maurice S. (Client on Fiverr)
Check it out! Tell your writer friends! https://www.fiverr.com/s/qD6Qo5d
May the 4th be with all those writers out there struggling to find their way and to all of you whatever you do!
In Your Head Productions 