Hi Reader,
We go to camera on my latest film, Room 309, in just a few days.
After a whirlwind few months of writing, planning, funding, casting, locations, costumes, props, shot lists, and all the other moving parts, we’re almost there. But this past week, we hit another important milestone: we held a table read with our main cast.
And I think table reads deserve more attention from writers and directors alike.
No matter how many times you’ve read your script, you haven’t really heard your dialogue until actors say it out loud.
The script changes when someone else speaks it
When I’m writing, I hear every character in my head. The pauses, the emphasis. I know which words are sarcastic, which ones are sincere, and which lines are loaded with subtext. The thing is, the actor hasn’t been living inside my head. And neither has the audience. That’s why a table read can be so useful.
Suddenly, the words exist outside your imagination, and you hear things differently.
A line that seemed great on the page may sound too long. A joke might land better than expected. Two lines could repeat the same idea.
Or an actor might find something in a line that you never considered, and their delivery changes the intent or meaning. Some actors speak quickly, while others choose every word. Likewise, some characters interrupt, some dodge questions, some say very little.
You can see some of that on the page, but hearing actors read it gives you a much better sense of how those voices work on their own and also together.
Those discoveries are incredibly valuable.
Table reads help the director too
As a director, you'll listen for chemistry. How do the actors sound together? Where does the tension or humor or hesitation naturally appear?
What feels alive? What falls flat?
And if an actor reads a line differently from how you intended it, that tells you something too. Maybe their interpretation is better, or maybe you need to make your intention clearer.
Either way, it’s much better to figure that out before the cameras roll.
It’s low-pressure rehearsal
A table read gives everyone room to experiment without worrying about cameras, lighting, wardrobe, blocking, or props.
You can focus on character and dialogue. You can try a line differently. Talk through motivation. Adjust the wording. And then hear the new version right away.
That makes everyone better prepared once you get to set.
Make table reads part of your process
What I'm getting at is that writers can often get very attached to their dialogue. But a huge benefit of a table read is that if a line doesn’t work out loud, you can change it, cut it, shorten it, or let the actor communicate the idea through a look or reaction instead.
The goal is to make the scene work.
Honestly, you don’t need a giant production to do a table read. Get actors, friends, or other writers together and read the script aloud.
Then listen for:
- awkward lines
- repeated information
- slow spots
- similar character voices
- emotional beats that don’t land
- surprising moments that work better than expected
Take notes, get feedback from the participants, answer any questions they have about the characters or story (or really any aspect of the script), and make changes accordingly.
You'll be surprised how quickly the script improves!
And now... we shoot!
For us, the table read was one more step toward bringing Room 309 to life, and now we’re only a few days away from filming.
That’s one of the things I love most about filmmaking.
A screenplay starts as words on a page. Then actors and crew bring their own ideas and talent to it. And slowly, it becomes something bigger than what you first imagined.
No new video this week, but if you missed my last video, I discuss how taking a break is sometimes the best thing writers can do for our stories and for our mental health.
🎥 Watch the full video here: Why You Need A Creative Reset (Before You Burn Out)
And if you want help with your screenplay - on a human level, and from an experienced writer and story coach, then click one of the links below and let's talk about:
👉 My coaching calls - great for brainstorming, outlining, character work, and solving story problems early: Book Your Session today!
👉 My coverage packages - a great next step if you need meaningful developmental feedback before diving back into the draft: Click here!
👉 Rewrite to Greenlight - my ongoing developmental editing program for taking a script from almost there to funding or production-ready: Click here!
I'll have plenty more to share once filming begins. For now, I've got a movie to make!
Until next time - keep writing, and stay creative!
Neil
P.S. Check out my feature film, Spin the Wheel - out now on Tubi!
Click here to watch for FREE: https://tubitv.com/movies/100030151/spin-the-wheel
And see my latest feature, Contamination, now on Amazon, AppleTV, Fandango, and Hoopla!
Learn more about storytelling, screenwriting, and filmmaking: www.neilchasefilm.com.
Looking for in-depth help with your script, story or film? Check out my one-on-one coaching services here.
Check out my Gothic horror-western novel, Iron Dogs, available in eBook, print, and audiobook.
**My emails may include affiliate links. You can read my full disclosure and privacy policy here.