Pass, Consider, Recommend Explained

By Steven Ellis

Quick answer

Pass, Consider, and Recommend are the three verdict tiers in professional script coverage. Pass means the script does not warrant further attention. Consider means the project or writer shows notable potential but has significant weaknesses. Recommend means the script should be read immediately by decision-makers. Roughly 80-85% of scripts receive Pass, 10-15% Consider, and 2-5% Recommend.

What Pass Actually Means

Pass is the most common coverage verdict and it is not a death sentence for your writing career, just for that particular submission. A Pass means the reader determined that the script, in its current form, does not meet the threshold for executive consideration. Pass covers a wide spectrum. A script can receive a Pass because the concept lacks commercial viability even if the writing is competent. It can receive a Pass because the execution fails a strong premise. Or it can receive a Pass because both concept and execution fall below professional standards. The key distinction is that Pass evaluates the submission, not the writer. Many produced screenwriters received multiple Passes before breaking through. The problem is that at some studios, a Pass is filed permanently and the same script cannot be resubmitted.

The Consider Verdict and Its Variations

Consider is the most nuanced and strategically important verdict. It means the reader saw enough quality to warrant attention, but not enough to issue a full Recommend. Studios often subdivide Consider into two categories. Consider on the Project means the script concept and execution are strong enough to potentially develop with revisions. Consider on the Writer means the script itself may not be viable, but the writer demonstrates enough craft skill to warrant a general meeting and consideration for open writing assignments. Some studios use a three-tier Consider scale: Consider with Reservations, Consider, and Strong Consider. A Strong Consider with enthusiastic comments functions nearly identically to a Recommend in practice.

What Earns a Recommend

Recommend is rare and should feel inevitable by the time the reader finishes the script. The criteria are that the concept is commercially viable, the execution is at or near professional quality across all craft categories, and the reader would personally advocate for an executive to read this script. A Recommend does not mean the script is perfect. It means the quality-to-potential ratio clears the very high bar that justifies taking an executive's limited reading time. Some of the most impactful Recommends are on imperfect scripts with extraordinary concepts or voices. A reader who writes a Recommend is putting their professional reputation on the line. If they Recommend scripts that executives find disappointing, they lose credibility. This keeps the standard high.

How Your Verdict Affects Your Screenplay's Journey

At a studio, a Pass terminates the script's journey through that company. The coverage is filed and the script is returned. A Consider on the Project typically means a creative executive will read the script within two to four weeks and decide whether to take a meeting. A Consider on the Writer means your agent may receive a call about open assignments even if this specific project does not move forward. A Recommend triggers an accelerated read. The creative executive reads the script within days, not weeks. If they concur, the script is fast-tracked to a VP or SVP. A double Recommend, where two readers independently recommend the same script, is the strongest possible entry into a studio's development pipeline.

Frequently Asked Questions

What percentage of scripts get a Recommend?

At major studios, approximately 2-5% of submitted scripts receive a Recommend. The percentage is higher at smaller production companies with more targeted submissions. Agencies report similar ratios for query submissions they evaluate.

Is a Consider good or bad?

A Consider is positive. It means your script demonstrated notable quality in a system where most material is Passed. A Consider on the Writer is particularly valuable because it can lead to general meetings and open writing assignments even if the specific project is not purchased.

Can I resubmit after a Pass?

You can resubmit a significantly rewritten version through your agent, but the studio database will show previous coverage. A major overhaul with clear improvements may warrant fresh coverage. Minor revisions after a Pass are unlikely to change the outcome.

Do all coverage services use Pass/Consider/Recommend?

The three-tier system is industry standard at studios and agencies. Some contest services use numerical scores instead. Some consultancies use custom scales. But the Pass/Consider/Recommend framework is the lingua franca of Hollywood development.

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