Story Notes

Story Notes is a web-based tool that gives screenwriters detailed, honest coverage of their screenplays in about five minutes. Upload a PDF or file, and the tool returns a multi-stage analysis covering genre, tone, character functions, premise, structure, and theme — essentially the same elements a professional script reader would assess. It breaks the script into six stages, each with a letter grade, highlights of what's working and what isn't, and specific page references to back up every observation.

The analysis goes beyond surface-level feedback. For example, in the genre and tone stage, Story Notes identifies the genres your script is actually operating in (not just what you intended) and checks whether the story honors each genre's core obligations. It assigns character functions — hero, antagonist, ally, traitor — and shows how each role evolves across the page. The premise stage forces a one-sentence test and evaluates the "core story engine," the abstract conflict driving the plot. Each stage ends with a summarized grade and actionable notes. The tool doesn't just say "your premise is weak"; it tells you exactly where and why, often with direct page citations.

This is most useful for screenwriters who want fast, unbiased feedback before sending scripts to contests, agents, or producers. It also helps film students learn structure by seeing their own work objectively analyzed. Script consultants can use it as a pre-check before giving deeper notes. The tool is straightforward — no learning curve, just upload and read. It won't replace a human reader's nuanced interpretation, but for a five-minute first pass, it catches blind spots and structural issues that even seasoned writers miss.