Editing Read-through

{{Short description|Reading of a screenplay or script by actors with speaking parts}}
{{redirect|Table Read|the ''Space Ghost Coast to Coast'' episode|Table Read (Space Ghost Coast to Coast){{!}}Table Read (''Space Ghost Coast to Coast'')}}
[[File:Table read of sitcom pilot.jpg|thumb|Read-through of sitcom pilot]]

The '''read-through''', '''table-read''', or '''table work''' is a stage of [[film production|film]], [[television production|television]], [[radio]], and [[theatre production]] when an organized reading of the [[screenplay]] or [[script (performing arts)|script]] is conducted around a table by the [[actors]] with speaking parts.<ref name="TT">{{cite book|last=Campbell|first=Drew|title=Technical Theater for Nontechnical People (page 210-211)|edition=2|publisher=Allworth Communications, Inc.|year=2004|pages=272|isbn=1-58115-344-9|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=h3PzcjyIHcMC&q=%22Read-through%22,+theater&pg=PA210}}</ref><ref name="TS">{{cite book|last=Leach|first=Robert|title=Theatre Studies: The Basics (pgs 135-137)|publisher=Routledge|year=2008|pages=194|isbn=978-0-415-42639-8|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6kFqik4Z3icC&q=%22Read-through%22,+theater&pg=PA135}}</ref>

In addition to the cast members with speaking parts, the read-through is usually attended by the principal [[financier]]s or [[studio]] [[corporate officer|executives]], [[film producer|producers]], heads of department, writers, and [[film director|directors]]. It is generally attended only by people involved in the production. It is usually the first time that everyone involved in the production gathers together, and it is traditional for all people to introduce themselves by both name and job.{{fact|date=October 2017}} The director may then open proceedings by making a short speech outlining their aspirations for the project.

An additional professional actor not otherwise involved in the production may be 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 maintain the pace of the reading.

==In film==
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 powerful tool for identifying problem areas in the script. Wooden dialogue, unbelievable situations, or boring sections of the film that have not been addressed during the script development process often become apparent during the read-through.<ref name="FDF">{{cite book|last=Proferes|first=Nicholas T.|title=Film Directing Fundamentals: See Your Film Before Shooting (page 143)|edition=2|publisher=Focal Press|year=2004|pages=296|isbn=0-240-80562-3|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tj9BkYv2q6cC&q=%22Read-through%22,+film&pg=PA143}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
*''So You Want to be a Theatre Director?'' (2004) by Stephen Unwin, {{ISBN|1-85459-779-5}}
**{{cite book|last=Unwin|first=Stephen|title=So You Want to be a Theatre Director? (pgs 104-105)|publisher=Nick Hern Books|year=2004|pages=248|isbn=978-1-85459-779-3|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZMyJ8PjMgy4C&q=%22Read-through%22,+theater&pg=PA104}}
*''Persistence of Vision: An Impractical Guide to Producing a Feature Film for Under $30,000'' (1995), by John Gaspard, Dale Newton, Gaspard Newton, {{ISBN|0-941188-23-X}}
**{{cite book|last=Gaspard|first=John|author2=Dale Newton |others=Gaspard Newton|title=Persistence of Vision: An Impractical Guide to Producing a Feature Film for Under $30,000|publisher=M. Wiese Productions|year=1995|edition=Illustrated|pages=437|isbn=0-941188-23-X|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZXhZAAAAMAAJ&q=%22Read-through%22,+film}}
*''Friendly Enemies: Maximizing the Director-actor Relationship'' (2003), by Delia Salvi, {{ISBN|0-8230-7944-9}}
** {{cite book|last=Salvi|first=Delia|title=Friendly Enemies: Maximizing the Director-actor Relationship|publisher=Watson-Guptill|year=2003|edition=Illustrated|isbn=0-8230-7944-9|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3RQLKZRdegIC}}

[[Category:Film production]]
[[Category:Stage terminology]]
[[Category:Television terminology]]