Screenplay Conventions: looks matter

LOOKS DO MATTER

Screenplays look a certain way. The sheer volume of Hollywood script submissions makes it so that if your screenplay looks strange or unprofessional it's headed for the dumpster.

A scriptwriter has to adhere to conventions and form. If you are wealthy and are financing the film yourself, your script can look any way you want. But remember, the cast and crew need a professional screenplay to work off, and for good reason: scheduling, creating and organization make a film production run smoothly and constructively.

Here are the basic screenplay conventions:

Paper dimensions; margins: Use 8 1/2" x 11" white 3-hole punched paper. Page numbers appear in the upper right hand corner. Do not number the cover page. The top and bottom margins are between 0.5" and 1". The left margin is between 1.2" and 1.6". The right margin is between 0.5" and 1". Don’t use special paper, just standard old printing paper. Margins are already set up on writing software like Final Draft.

Font and size: Courier, 12 pt. This is used for timing purposes. One script page should equal one minute of screen time. Don’t use fancy fonts. Don’t use large or small text.

Binding: Only use brass brads to bind a screenplay. The standard practice is to only use just two brads: one at the top and one at the bottom of the screenplay—even though there are three holes. The reason/myth is because an executive will usually remove the brads when reading a script to flip pages easily. It’s silly, but it’s a common thing. You can usually find brads for screenplays at office supply stores. If not you can order them online from an online screenwriting store or get them at a local copy shop.

Cover page/title page: DO NOT get fancy here. No artwork. No special covers. No glossy paper. Nothing. It will stand out, yes, but it will also signal that you don’t know what you’re doing. So unless you’re Terry Gillian or Pablo Picasso, don’t be artsy.

The title itself: The title to your screenplay should be center page in Bold, 12 to 14 font. Beneath the title should be the words “written by” followed by the author’s name. If the story is by another screenwriter, that information should be included by writing “story by” and then the author’s name. The bottom left hand corner contains your name and contact information. The bottom right hand corner contains your WGA registration number. That’s it. Keep it simple. Scriptwriting software will have title templates built in.

Script length: A typical professional screenplay runs 90 to 130 pages. Horror and comedy scripts can run short, while drama screenplays tend to run longer. Once you get over 130 pages, you’re in the danger zone. Anywhere around 100 pages is a good length for a first time screenwriter. We’ll talk about why in the next chapter.

In the meantime read screenwriting books to learn more about script format, screenplay rules, tips, tricks rules.