Read-through

Read-through

In the context of film production, the read-through is an organized table reading of the screenplay by the actors with speaking parts. An additional professional actor not otherwise involved in the production is usually hired to read the non-dialogue parts of the script such as scene headings and action. These parts of the script are usually edited down severely for the purposes of the read-through to keep the pace of the reading up.

The read-through usually takes place towards the end of pre-production but before the "rehearsal period", if any has been scheduled.

In addition to the cast members with speaking parts, the read-through is usually attended by the principal financiers or studio executives, producers, heads of department, writers, and of course directors. It is extremely rare for anyone not involved in the production to be permitted to attend. It is usually the first time everyone involved in the production will have gathered together and it is traditional to go around the table (usually a ring of tables, in fact) and allow everyone to introduce themselves by both name and job. The director may then open proceedings by making a short speech outlining his or her aspirations for the project.

The read-through is an important milestone in the production of most films. It is a clear signal that all of the key elements, including cast, finance and heads of department, are in place and that pre-production is almost complete. It is often the first time that the script has had a life beyond the written word, and it is also an opportunity for everyone involved in production to get at least a partial insight into the way the actors may approach their roles. In addition, a read-through is often a surprisingly powerful tool for identifying problem areas in the script. Wooden dialogue, unbelievable situations or boring sections of the film which have not been addressed during the script development process are often writ large in the read-through, and may now come under intense scrutiny.

It is traditional to treat the read-through as a "cold reading". Because the actors have had no rehearsal time, and may not even have discussed the project much with the director, they are not expected to give a performance but simply to read the words on the page. Some actors including major Hollywood stars will indeed read their entire role in a flat monotone, whereas others (often actors from the theatre, or character actors with relatively minor parts) will 'go for it' and are often the most entertaining part of the process.

The read-through can be very nerve-wracking for the producers, director, writer and executives. Despite the fact it is supposed to be a cold reading, everyone is on the alert for possible casting or script problems -- a lack of chemistry between the principals, a key player who lacks charisma, a script which has logic problems or is obviously extremely boring. Even in their very short introduction, it may become clear that the director is unsure of himself or herself, or finds it difficult to communicate ideas. On the other hand, it can be extremely exciting to finally see a project which may have been in development for many years finally begin to take on a life of its own.

In his book "Adventures in the Screen Trade", screenwriter William Goldman describes the read-through as the most important part of film production, because if the script is right and the cast is right there's not much else that can go wrong.

In an unusual example, the "Space Ghost Coast to Coast" episode "Table Read" consists entirely of recorded footage of a read-through for an early version of the episode "Fire Ant".


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать реферат

Look at other dictionaries:

  • read through — ˌread ˈthrough [transitive] [present tense I/you/we/they read through he/she/it reads through present participle reading through past tense …   Useful english dictionary

  • read through — phrasal verb [transitive] Word forms read through : present tense I/you/we/they read through he/she/it reads through present participle reading through past tense read through past participle read through to read all of a document, book etc in… …   English dictionary

  • read-through — /reed throoh /, n. 1. reading (def. 1). 2. reading (def. 7). Also, readthrough. [1960 65; n. use of v. phrase read through] * * * …   Universalium

  • read-through — adjective A cache that will fetch information from the original source when asked for information that is not yet cached. A read through cache presents a simple abstraction to the calling code, which no longer has to handle the case where the… …   Wiktionary

  • read through — phr verb Read through is used with these nouns as the object: ↑document, ↑note …   Collocations dictionary

  • read-through — /reed throoh /, n. 1. reading (def. 1). 2. reading (def. 7). Also, readthrough. [1960 65; n. use of v. phrase read through] …   Useful english dictionary

  • read-through — Transcription or translation that proceeds beyond the normal stopping point because of the absence of the usual transcription or translation termination signal of a gene …   Glossary of Biotechnology

  • read over — [phrasal verb] read over (something) or read (something) over : to read (something) from beginning to end especially to look for mistakes or check details He read over [=read through] the directions/contract carefully. • • • Main Entry: ↑ …   Useful english dictionary

  • through — [ θru ] function word *** Through can be used in the following ways: as a preposition (followed by a noun): They were riding through a forest. as an adverb (without a following noun): There s a hole in the roof where the rain comes through. as an …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • read — read1 W1S1 [ri:d] v past tense and past participle read [red] ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 1¦(words/books)¦ 2¦(find information)¦ 3¦(read and speak)¦ 4¦(music/maps etc)¦ 5¦(computer)¦ 6¦(understand something in a particular way)¦ 7¦(have words on)¦ 8¦(style of… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”