Understand the basic format of a script. A script has acts, which break it up into a beginning, middle and end. The acts are broken into scenes, where the action takes place, and the scenes contain short descriptions and dialogue from the characters. Writers may also add directions for the actors. Once you understand the format, you can read it more quickly.
Read the first ten pages and the last ten pages of the script first. By reading the beginning you understand the set up of the film. Then read the last few pages so you understand what the outcome is. It will help you read the middle section more efficiently. You will look for the plot structure that leads you towards the finale.
Pinpoint turning points in the screenplay and mark them in the script with a pen. Turning points are when something happens in the plot to change its direction. For example, in the movie "Erin Brokovich," the first turning point is when she forces Ed Masry, the lawyer to give her a job. This creates an opportunity for her and it changes the direction of the story. Hollywood scripts usually have five turning points. Marking them, helps you break down the script for easier reading.
Read through the scene descriptions and dialogue carefully. Visualize as you read the script. Using care to read it the first time through means you will not have to reread any sections you skimmed over. You will lose out on important details when you skim to quickly.
Write notes in the margins of the script rather than separately. This will help find your notes more quickly rather than using a notebook or scrap paper would. Choose a pen color that stands out against the black print of the script, such as red.