How do you know if your script is any good? If the dialog works? If the scenes flow?

What if I told you there’s one thing you can do to answer all the above?

This week I want to talk about the magic of table reads:

• Why you need them
• How to host one
• How to get the most out of it

Words on paper aren’t the same as words on screen. If you haven’t heard your script read out loud it’s hard to imagine how they’ll be in the final film. Table reads are a fantastic tool for the writing process, for your cast and for you as the director.

I want to show you why I love them so much, and how you can host the perfect table read for your movie.

Let’s roll.

Table reads are a director’s cheat code

A table read is exactly what it sounds like. You get a group of people together, assign them roles in your script, sit down around a table, and read through the thing out loud.

It is one of the most incredible ways of getting a new perspective on your script as a director.

I’m such a big fan of table reads, I try to have several throughout the writing process. Hearing the words on the page out loud, performed by the actor who’s going to play the role is the first time the movie feels truly real.

And, quick aside, even before you have a cast, I encourage you to do table reads. Get together a group of friends, cast them to read a role, and have fun with it.

There’s something about hearing the script out loud that can’t be replicated in any other way. As directors, even when we don’t write the screenplays for our films, we have a hand in tweaking them as we get ready to go into production. When you hear the words on the page acted out in a table read you get gut instinct level feedback on the script.

A secondary benefit of a table read with a full cast, is that it’s often the first time you get to bring them all together in one room. It’s a great, low-risk place for the actors to get to know each other, and see who they’ll be playing against in your film.

Honestly, table reads are the best.

So what does it take to host a successful one?

The keys to a great table read

There are a couple of key ingredients to a great table read, and I’m about to give you the recipe:

1. The Script: obviously. Make sure it’s in a place, creatively, where you want and need external feedback. Make sure everyone in attendance has a paper copy. Bonus points if the script is nicely bound, so it’s easier to leaf through.
2. The Location: You don’t need much, but it’s important to find a location where everyone can sit together, without being interrupted. A private space is ideal so you can create the atmosphere you want.
3. The Cast: Bring all your cast together, or as many as possible. If you don’t have a cast yet, bring enough people together that you have enough for your main cast. Secondary, or smaller characters can be divided between the group or assigned to one person.
4. The Crew: Invite key crew members, at least the director (you), the writer(s) and producers.
5. The Vibes: do everything you can to make it a fun, laid back experience. Make sure there’s plenty of water to go around (reading is thirsty work.) Snacks are great too, but best reserved for the before/after read.

Pro tip 1: “cast” someone to read the action lines. This is so easy to forget, but makes a huge difference. There's a lot of action lines in a script, and having a good narrator is important.

Pro tip 2: don’t cast yourself. It’s imperative that you’re able to spend the table read listening. Take in what’s happening and don't get lost in the words on the page.

If you manage to nail all these ingredients, you’re in for a great experience.

How to take it to the next level

The tips above makes sure you’re table read is great. If you want to get the absolute most out of it, there are a couple of extra things you can do.

The first thing is to take notes. I don’t like having computers/iPads in the room, so a good old fashioned legal pad or notebook does the trick. It’s also great to give one to each person present, so they can jot down thoughts along the way.

This helps with the second thing: feedback. Make it clear before you start that you’d love everyone’s feedback when the reading is over.

This can be the scariest part. For everyone involved.

But if you can create an open, trusting environment, it's a great time to get feedback from your closest collaborators. After the read I like going around the table to hear people’s thoughts, and push for honest feedback.

The final thing is to record the whole thing.

Audio is great, if you can do both audio and video even better. When you’re in the room you get a great gut reaction to how the script is working. With a recording you’re able to go back and listen to it again, and get a more analytical perspective. I find it super helpful to have both of these perspectives.

Put all these together and you have a story tool that can level up your script before you go into production.

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