Doesn the Australian Writers Guild offer an assessment service? And isn it cheaper?
Yes, they do. And yes it is. But there are some key differences that make it a comparison of apples and oranges. For one thing, we represent producers and production companies that actually BUY screenplays, and HIRE writers. What this means is that our Coverage service is real-world and industry-based. The perspective of the Coverage is from the production company’s point of view — not from an assessor’s point of view. Remember: Assessors don’t buy screenplays — production companies do. The reason for the price difference is simple: the Guild is subsidised by the government, and pays its readers more than it charges you. So, really, the taxpayer is covering it. An indepedent free-market company that is NOT subdised by the government (in an effort to maintain its independence) simply must pay fair market rates for skilled readers. It’s important to note, also, that ALL our readers have extensive hands-on experience reading at production companies and agencies. We do not hire readers f
