Not all reading series solicit the public's comments. He explained that the Fifth Night audience regularly includes literary agents and scouts from companies such as Miramax, New Line and Tribeca, all there looking for material, and that writers don't want their work trashed in front of these potential buyers. Writer Ken Liotti, whose script The Waiting Game was recently presented at Fifth Night to a very enthusiastic crowd, agrees. I wouldn't want a public critique session. I learned enough from watching the audience and speaking with individuals after the show.
Agents obviously have much to gain from staged readings.
They can assess material that has been approved by the organizers' selection process but not yet seen by their competitors. Some agents have also begun to use the readings to attract industry attention to scripts they already represent. Even casting directors stand to gain. A less obvious group of beneficiaries are the organizers of the series themselves. I have widened my sphere of influence and been able to meet people, put people together and feel that my work is vital to local filmmakers.