Screenplay writing format rules, conventions, techniques, books
Screenplays look a certain way. The sheer volume of professional Hollywood script submissions makes it so that if your feature or television screenplay looks strange or unprofessional, it's headed for the dumpster.
A scriptwriter has to adhere to conventions and form of standard script format. If you are wealthy and financing the film yourself, your screenplay can look any way you want. But remember, the film's cast and crew need a professionally written screenplay by, who they believe, is a pro writer, to work off - and for good reason: scheduling, budgeting, creating and organization aspects that make a film production run smoothly and constructively. It stats with the screenplay - the blueprint for storytelling.
The basic screenplay conventions:
Paper dimensions; margins: Use 8 1/2" x 11" white 3-hole punched paper. Page numbers on the screenplay appear in the upper right hand corner. Do not number the cover page of your script. 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 white printing paper. Margins are already set up on writing software like Final Draft Screenwriting Software program.
Font and size: Courier, 12 pt. This is used for timing the screenplay purposes. One script page should equal one minute of screen time. Don’t use fancy fonts. Don’t use large or small text. Great screenplays look simple and professional.
Binding: Only use brass brads to bind a screenplay. The standard Hollywood film industry practice is to use two brads: one at the top, 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 feature film script to flip pages easily. 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. Or, ask a fellow screenwriter aiming for the contests, agents and producers like yourself. Just ensure any screenwriter partnerships or friendships, that their writing talent compliments your style, tone and strengths. There's a lot of hacks, or novice screenwriters who don't understand story, format or conventions of visual story telling in movies.
Screenplay 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 your screenplay sucks. So unless you’re Terry Gillian or Pablo Picasso, don’t be artsy.
The movie title itself: The title to your screenplay should be center page in Bold, 12 to 14 font. Beneath the film's title should be the words “written by” followed by the screenwriter'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(Writer's Guild of America) registration number. That’s it. Keep it simple stupid(KISS). Scriptwriting formatting software will have title templates built in.
Script length: A typical professional screenplay runs 90 to 120 pages. Horror scripts and feature film comedy scripts can run short, while drama feature screenplays tend to run longer. Once you get over 130 pages, you’re in the danger zone. No executive reader, analyst, producer, actor or assistant likes a heavy script. Anywhere around 100 pages is a good length for a first time screenwriter writing their first feature length screenplay. We’ll talk about why in my book "The Bare Bones Book of Screenwriting" available at Amazon, Barnes and Nobles.com or special order it at your local bookstore in the film/cinema section.
In the meantime read more screenwriting books to learn more about script format, screenplay rules, tips, tricks, rules and strategies for correct format, polished clean feel, fast reading screenplay.
If you have bad screenwriting format skills, you need to do two things: first read screenwriting books on format, and two: buy scriptwriting software like Final Draft, which makes formatting simple and easy, at an affordable price. But education on how to write a movie should be obtained through classes, books, TV, seminars, reading screenplays, workshops and studying film scripts already produced, as well as shooting scripts.
Screenwriting books
visit Washington SEO Consulting
