Formatting « Screenwriter-to-Screenwriter.com

The Screenplay Competition “Do Nots”

The basic “do nots” before you send your script to a competition. The following is a very basic list of items that do not impress me as a competition reader and, more often than not, will get your script a resounding pass. If your script contains any of these points, consider rewriting before submitting [...]

The Screenplay Competition “Dos”

The basic “dos” before you send your script to a competition. The following is a very basic list of items that get my attention as a competition reader. If your script addresses each of these points, you’re doing a good job. I will be excited to read your script.

DO have a title page. [...]

Your Protagonist: Likability and the Finish Line

You should have one protagonist – someone undergoing a life-altering journey. We experience the journey through his or her world paradigm, and we want to root for that hero to succeed. That’s a key point, actually, that is sometimes lost on writers. We’re supposed to root for the hero to win. If I don’t like [...]

Do Not Write What’s Not on Screen

Okay, we all know, “Show, don’t tell!” I will never forget my sophomore English teacher hitting that point home with a sledgehammer every class. As a screenwriter, I hear, “Exposition is bad.” Now I have a better understanding of what this really means.

With screenwriting, it’s fairly simple, actually, but hard to do well and [...]

Where To Buy Scripts?

Whenever I need a copy of something, I call Hollywood Book & Poster.

They have an amazing film and TV script library, as well as posters, stills, etc.

If you need something and they don’t have it, they’ll get it for you.

They can express mail as well.

Screenwriting Basics: <br>Character and Location Intros

Many scripts I read don’t bother to establish location or introduce their characters appropriately. Do not forget that when I pick up your script, I’ve never been introduced to your screenplay world before. I have no idea if your script takes place in New Orleans or Boston, in today’s world or in 2055. I have [...]

Screenwriting Basics:<br>Formatting & Proofreading

Basic Language Skills
Look, the reality is that basic – and, indeed, excellent – proficiency with the English language is our trade. Knowing whether the comma goes inside or outside the quotation mark isn’t incidental to this craft. It is actually fundamental. If you got a D in your sixth grade English grammar class and didn’t [...]

Screenwriting Basics: The Reader’s Perspective

So, you wrote a script. You’ve birthed the baby. You’re feeling awesome. You tell yourself repeatedly, “I rock!” – since nobody else is going to.

Then you send your script out – and that rock comes hurling back toward the earth faster than you can blink.

Following is a list of some things to [...]

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The Screenplay Competition “Do Nots”

The Screenplay Competition “Dos”

Your Protagonist: Likability and the Finish Line

Do Not Write What’s Not on Screen

Where To Buy Scripts?

Screenwriting Basics: <br>Character and Location Intros

Screenwriting Basics:<br>Formatting & Proofreading

Screenwriting Basics: The Reader’s Perspective

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