You’ve worked on your spec pilot for months. You’ve taken a course in pilot writing. You’ve read two books. You’re so desperate for information you’ve read through the archives of this blog.
You’ve got a dynamite premise. It’s EXACTLY what every network is looking for right now. How’d you tap into the zeitgeist five minutes before everyone else? And those characters -- they just jump off the page. Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep are even willing to audition .
Your story is ingenious, shows the unlimited potential of your series, and has a inspired twist. Think: THE USUAL SUSPECTS but better!
And it’s laugh-out-loud funny. Move over Mel Brooks. There’s a new sheriff in town and it’s YOU .
If ever there was a slam dunk, a home run, a can’t miss – THIS IS IT.
So how come readers stop reading on page three and toss it into the reject file?
Answer: Typos.
You could write the greatest spec pilot of all-time and if you have typos on the first three pages you’re dead. It’s just that simple.
It’s amazing how many writers will pour their hearts and souls into their scripts and then skim over the proofing process. The message typos send is that you lack dedication and judgment – even if we both know that isn’t true.
So before you turn in your masterpiece, go over it with a fine tooth comb, and then have a friend or two do the same.
Now you may be saying, “Well, wait a minute Levine – you have typos in your blog all the time.” Yes, but I’m not turning it in to CBS. We all make typos and we all overlook them. That’s why it’s so critical you go that extra mile. You enlist some help. The competition is steep. Give yourself an edge by presenting a proofed-proof script.
As always, best of luck!
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