Why Table Reads Are a Screenwriter’s Secret Weapon
Posted on: Aug 19, 2025
Photo Credit: Jacob Ammentorp Lund // iStock PhotoThe screenplay is the core of every film, and every working writer has likely heard the phrase “We’ve got notes.” Good writers accept feedback as an important part of the writing process and turn to writing groups or host table reads of their scripts. Some people may not realize that table reads can also be important to the production of the film, too. It seems especially common for indie filmmakers to skip this opportunity that could help the production run smoothly.
Let’s talk about it.
Key Insights
- Table reads can be used for both writer development and as a crucial step in film production.
- Writers can catch clunky dialogue, poor pacing, and other issues by hearing their script read aloud by others.
- Table reads help the entire cast and crew get on the same page, preventing issues during production.
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What Are Table Reads?
A table read is when a screenplay is read aloud, usually with different people reading the parts. There may also be a narrator for the action lines. Table reads are usually hosted by a writer working on a script who needs to hear it out loud, but they can also be sponsored by contests and fellowships as a reward or learning opportunity, in educational settings, or even by a production before shooting begins.
When they’re for educational purposes or writer development, the script may be read by anyone gathered, but a production will use the film’s actual cast.
Why Are Table Reads Helpful?
Table reads are useful because they allow writers to hear their own words spoken aloud. You can read and reread dialogue, but hearing it from other people will reveal clunkiness, stalls, and poor pacing. It can also bring attention to typos and editing artifacts.
When we write, our own brains know what we mean and gloss over any problems on the actual page, so it’s hard to be critical of our own work. Table reads can open the discussion to others, so the writer may receive feedback from different points of view to understand how the work is received. Sometimes, this can be very different from what they intended.
Many auditions require a “cold read,” which is when actors are handed a script and asked to immediately audition by reading a part on the page without preparation. Table reads can also be useful to actors who want to network or develop their cold read skills, and also allow them to learn more about script formatting and story. I host table reads regularly in two cities for actors and writers to gather and help each other grow and learn.
Finally, table reads before a production help get everyone on the same page. It’s of huge benefit to have the entire cast and crew (or at least department heads) sit down to run through the whole script together. This allows department heads and cast members to ask remaining questions or bring up potential issues that need to be addressed in one manageable place for the producers and director to respond to. It gives everyone an overview of the story and the expectations and can aid a smooth production.
Hosting a Table Read
Hosting a table read can range from very casual to more complicated. A production hosting a table read is likely to pay and will need a space large enough to host everyone around a central space, facing each other in a circle or rectangle. Enough time should be allotted for questions and explanations that may interrupt the flow.
For individual writers, the first step is to have a completed version or draft you’d like to hear out loud. The community table reads I host allow you to bring excerpts, but writers hosting their own read will probably want the full script read to reduce cost and time investment for everyone. We read the entire piece without interruption and then allow for feedback and discussion. There isn’t usually any pay — the focus is on community building and mutual support. However, the table reads for writers who won our screenplay competition do pay the actors selected to read at the awards ceremony.
Second, you’ll need your cast. Run through your script and create your cast list. Think about the actors you know and whom you could possibly invite. I’ve also had great luck inviting submissions for consideration in Facebook groups. When considering actors or friends, you may want to ask them to cold-read on camera as an audition of sorts to make sure they can read smoothly. To save money or space, you may want to cast one person who can shift their voice to read all the bit parts with just a line or two.
Next, you’ll want to decide if you’ll host it in person or on Zoom. Hosting in person will require an appropriate amount of space and chairs, but Zoom can reduce the personal vibe and networking opportunities. I’ve also held table reads at my house, in restaurant private rooms, at libraries, and art collectives. Just keep in mind that some establishments, including libraries, may require allowing the public to attend for free.
If you are not paying the cast, consider what you can offer them. As a screenwriter, I have often gathered my actor friends or other friends and invited them to participate in full table reads of my script in exchange for a good spread of dinner and drinks. I’ve even set up a camera and offered them video clips of themselves reading a part so they can have that for their socials. These are just some of the perks that go a long way to show gratitude and attract help. I’ve personally helped a lot of people, and so many are willing to help back. Trade can be powerful if you always keep your word.
Finally, you’ll need to think about logistics. Will you print copies of your script for everyone? That can get really expensive, and asking them to print the script themselves is just rude. At our events, we read from our own mobile devices, laptops, and tablets, so it’s helpful to have power strips around. We also connect a laptop to a TV screen or projector to have a large visible script that the narrator scrolls through that anyone can read from.
Last, I would say — have fun! Many of us on the creative side are driven by our passion and can feel isolated in writing or acting pursuits. Gathering with others around creativity should be fun and inspiring. Whether for personal development or in preparation for a production, leaving feeling supported, connected, and inspired is really the unspoken benefit of a good table read.
Key Takeaways
- Offer incentives like food, drinks, or video clips to thank unpaid actors and build community.
- Embrace technology by using shared screens or devices to avoid the cost and hassle of printing scripts.
- Prioritize a fun and inspiring atmosphere to help people feel connected and supported in their creative pursuits.
Jessica Mathis (AKA Divinity Rose) is an award winning screenwriter/performer/producer from Louisville, Kentucky. She is the CEO of She Dreams Content Development and Production, which focuses on female-forward projects in comedy, docustyle and genre entertainment.
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