All you need to know about formatting in one simple post

[spinningdoc]

If you're puzzling over how to get what's in your head onto the page in professional looking format, it's always good to look at how the pro's have done it. Generally you can figure out things like:

• flashbacks
• how to write action scenes
• titles on screen
• using 'we' and camera directions
• using capitals
• character introductions
• moving through rooms in the same building
• (OS)s and (VO)s
• showing TV coverage on screen

The links below are all worth reading to figure these things out, and you'll probably get the answer you're looking for a lot more quickly than waiting for replies on a new thread. I got them all through Drew's Scriptorama.

I've tried to put together a range from comedy to action, indie to big budget, Hollywood and European. And for UK TV scripts, there are loads on the BBC Writers Room site.

A brief qualification - some of these are shooting scripts, which means they have page numbers like '11A', and scene numbers, and the odd half page. And Memento was written by the director, so there's some idiosyncratic formatting round the flashbacks. But since he's shooting it himself, he can do pretty much what he likes. When you've read a few, you'll figure out what the common elements are.

Edit: Here's a Terry Rossio column that covers a lot of the same ground.

And reading them probably counts as 'writing' time...

Ten Things I Hate About You
28 Weeks Later
Casino Royale
Made In Dagenham -
Matrix Reloaded
Memento -
Revolutionary Road

[spinningdoc]

This is odd. I'm getting email notifications of replies to this thread but they're not appearing on the thread itself.

[craktactor]

The person deleted their post.

[spinningdoc]

Oh okay. No idea why they deleted it, nothing outrageous was included.

[www9370]

I know that's right Spin, sounded like a pretty good discussion was going on...even up to the point where you all were actually about to discuss something...

real ...

wks

[tjalex]

Looking at produced scripts to see how to format yor screenplay is not always the best idea. Most of the time these scripts are shooting scripts, and the rules for shooting scripts are sometimes different from those of spec scripts.

Also, if the script was written by an established writer he may have the clot to skirt some of the common screenwriting rules.

[spinningdoc]

Possibly. But then again, if you can't figure out formatting by reading a bunch of scripts you're possibly a bit too thick to be screenwriter.

[Henry]

Originally Posted by spinningdoc

Possibly. But then again, if you can't figure out formatting by reading a bunch of scripts you're possibly a bit too thick to be screenwriter.

I must be thick in the head.

There are a whole slew of people - and scripts - out there that employ different formats.

One person will say Regular Courier font (1950s) is industry standard.

Another will say New Courier is standard.

Yet another will say Final Draft Courier is standard.

One expert favors Courier bold.

Some say use any Courier font.

And finally, there are others that push fonts "close to Courier."

They all seem to think their font is the way to go, and using other fonts are amateurish. (Amateurish. The dreaded word of all screenwriters. )

It's enough to give a simpleton like me pause for concern.

That's why I delve into track records.

I want my plots and characters to stand out, not my amateurish format.

[spinningdoc]

On the other hand, you could do what professionals do: download Final Draft or Movie Magic and just use it.

Seriously - seriously - are you really devoting that much brainpower to which variant of Courier you use? Because I've never met any producer or agent who gives a toss.

[www9370]

LOL, Jeez, people, just keep it simple... and write the story you have to tell.