Every screenwriter should know…
I receive a number of requests asking me to review a script, primarily for the purpose of producing it. Being a good sport, I am always eager to take a gander at another scriptwriters work. As well, I like to encourage other writers, offering suggestions and professional direction.
Of all the things that might be wrong with a script, the first thing any professional reader will notice is the formatting. What very few aspiring script-writers truly understand is that formatting matters first and foremost because an understanding (or lack) of proper formatting is typically tied to the ability to tell a story well. This logic is not concrete, but the assumption follows that the writer that does not take the time to invest in his craft’s formatting probably doesn’t invest in the delivery of that craft either. Many a reader’s experiences can vouch for this theory.In addition, no professional producer/actor/agent/manager/lackey wants to read a poorly formatted script. Why? Because no reader, staring down 50 or more script on a weekend, has the patience to wade through some writer’s “unique formatting”, when a script that is formatted properly is a better read off the bat. As a matter of fact, most readers are looking for the first excuse to put a script down – and they call this the “fan test.”
From Christopher Riley, The Hollywood Standard: “Stacks of screenplays by first-timers and even seasoned professionals never receive serious consideration because they fail the fan test. Overworked readers, executives, agents and producers pick up your script, flip to the last page and fan toward the front, looking at nothing but the physical layout of your script on the page. The format. What they see forms their first impression of your dream script. And sometimes their last.”
To a reader tasked with covering a number of scripts, looking for that gem, your “unique formatting” is her first excuse to recycle your script. Forget to CAPITALIZE the character when we first meet him – to the recycle bin; center justify the names above the dialog – to the recycle bin; parenthesis out of place – to the recycle bin. Are you getting the point?
These mistakes are easily corrected, but the writer must be willing to learn acceptable formatting, then comb her script prior to submitting it. Making that all important first impression count won’t sell your script, but it does get it one step closer to FADE IN.
2 Responses to “Every screenwriter should know…”
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As a co-editor of my late best friend’s works, I know this is true. But I also have run up against publishers, producers and such who want a slightly different way of formatting.
No doubt that a producer/director/agent may have their own idiosyncrasies; however, a foundational platform is essential to communicating professionalism. You can never go wrong doing it right. In the lucky event that someone wants to work with you (for hire, no doubt) to develop the script further, by all means respect their style.