Screenwriting : Learn to format first, bruh by Liron Vardi

Great advice, Liron Vardi! I've been there. I didn't know much about formatting when I started writing scripts. The people who read my scripts and gave me feedback didn't yell "Learn to format first, bruh!!!" though. It's not only what you say, it's how you say it. And I agree. If you’re not new, maybe offer a line of encouragement before you flex your very useful knowledge of margin widths.

It's funny because 12 pt courier goes back to typeface. It's "industry standard" label is simply just plain old habit. That's all. It's been "industry standard" across lit platforms for years for no other reason than it's what people are used to seeing since something like the mid 1950s. It was the default font for typewriters.

The rest of formatting has been pretty easy to learn so far but im sure there's a lot more for me to learn.

You're absolutely right that the tone of feedback matters, and dismissive gatekeeping helps no one. At the same time, there's a legitimate reason formatting gets emphasized so heavily, even if it's sometimes delivered poorly.

Why format matters more than people think:

Proper formatting isn't arbitrary elitism - it's the visual language that communicates "I understand how this industry operates and the general expectations of a professional project." When executives or producers receive improperly formatted scripts, it signals the writer hasn't invested time learning professional standards, which raises questions about whether they've studied storytelling craft either. Fair or not, formatting serves as the first credibility filter.

And I agree, new writers absolutely deserve supportive guidance rather than hostile dismissal. "Learn format first, bruh" without helpful resources or context is useless feedback that discourages people unnecessarily. Better responses might offer specific formatting resources while acknowledging the story ideas show promise.

Format can be learned quickly, but it should be learned early precisely because it's so learnable. Waiting to format properly is like submitting a job application with typos - the content might be brilliant, but many readers won't get past the presentation to discover that. New writers serve themselves best by learning format immediately so their story craft gets proper evaluation.

What actually helps new writers:

"Your story concept is interesting, but the formatting is making it difficult to read. Here's a link to free professional script templates and formatting guides. Fix the format and repost - I'd like to see the story more clearly."

That approach acknowledges their effort, explains why format matters practically, provides solutions, and encourages continuation. You're right that everyone starts somewhere. The goal should be helping writers progress efficiently, not creating barriers for the sake of exclusivity. If that's not your instinct, leave it to someone else who might come along later! That's always my approach when meeting new writers.

Agreed Liron Vardi . After reading and writing a ton of scripts, you learn to love the format. Although to everyone else, its looks like a medical document ahaha

Well, I somewhat agree with you about the style of criticism

it should be delivered smoothly, especially to those who are just starting out.

But do you really know how many talented screenwriters are out there sitting without work? Thousands.

So when a poorly written script comes along, it’s going to receive criticism from those who have mastered the craft but can’t find opportunities.

In any case, a screenwriter must understand that accepting criticism including harsh criticism is the first step on the path to professionalism. Criticism will follow them throughout their entire career.

Not agreed. Let me explain why.

When you want to enter any industry, you have to understand and follow how it works. You can’t, for example, become a surgeon by first cutting one person, then another, “just to learn” how to operate properly later. Or you can’t become a truck driver by driving however you want, in any lane, hitting whoever you want, and only later learning how to drive correctly and by the rules.

The same applies to screenwriting. This industry has its own set of rules — you need to learn them from the start. If you want to enter it on your own terms, then stay home and write for yourself, but don’t put it out for the world to see.

I agree with you all. I had to discover the importance of structure and formatting on my own, but I went the script coverage route and they were kind enough to digitally pull me aside and say, "read this" lol . I think as new writers we get so desperate to be heard that we are willing to through our imaginative souls out there for a bit of recognition. I think that is part of that person's journey. I just hope that response doesn't deter them from pursuing their goal.

It might discourage them — but only if they’re writing for others instead of themselves.

If someone’s only goal is to gain recognition, then yes, that kind of response can push them away.

But if a person feels the need to write — and they’re writing first for themselves, second, they’re learning the craft, and third, they’re listening to others while still understanding that all the responsibility ultimately lies on them — then it won’t stop them.

Again, if their only goal is external validation, it might discourage them. But then they’re not really a screenwriter — they’re just a narcissist seeking recognition.

I would applaud their first effort, then point them towards resources to learn the craft.

May I ask a question? You said you would point them toward resources to learn the craft. But if we take, for example, Christopher Vogler, Linda Seger, and Robert McKee — yes, they share some similar views, but their approaches to screenwriting are quite different. So my question is: which source exactly would you point them to?

That’s the first part — regarding screenplay formatting and the industry-wide rules that apply to everyone. If a person doesn’t even understand that every industry has its own set of rules that must be learned, and they need to be guided toward that, then what exactly is there to applaud?

I took a huge risk in my first foray into screenwriting three years or so ago. All I knew was that I was limited to what the audience could see and hear, and of course a very basic idea of formatting. I had never taken a screenwriting course of any kind so I was winging it pretty hard. The first contest I entered Marisol and Mezzaluna in, BlueCat, the reader even said that it was obvious I didn't use screenwriting software, which blew my mind because again, total newbie to screenwriting lol. But little by little I learned formatting and admittedly I'm still learning. I might one day invest in FinalDraft but I'm really liking Trelby so far, and though I learned from a friend that it's actually for pros, it's also been helping me understand formatting lol

Somewhat recently I got a very petty bit of criticism from a coverage note about my formatting, wherein the reader said to make sure I was using industry standard 12-point courier font because the font I used looked "slightly different," even though it... was industry standard 12-point courier font lol (I don't know if Trelby even lets you mess with that)

Do you want me to share my story? When I started writing my first screenplay, I also understood very little about screenwriting — or rather, practically nothing. The only thing I intuitively felt was how long a scene should last, and basically I wrote what was in my head. But when it came to formatting, I knew, in principle, that a screenplay has to be done a certain way.

Then I read a very bad, terrible, and stupid article online that said a screenplay could be written — what we call the American style — or as a “kino-novella,” which was a style used in the former Soviet Union. That’s when a screenplay is written like a novel, so it’s easier for ordinary readers to follow. And I believed it. I wrote my screenplay as a kino-novella and sent it to a studio. They replied, saying, “Buddy, you formatted everything completely wrong,” and a woman sent me a book specifically about screenplay formatting.

I read that book two or three times, memorized all the numbers, and now I understand how a screenplay should be properly formatted. But honestly, it wasn’t even really my fault — it was that idiot who posted the article claiming you could write a screenplay as a kino-novella.

Aleksandr Rozhnov Gabriel García Márquez – Aaron Sorkin – Quentin Tarantino – Anton Chekhov – Charlie Kaufman – Sylvester Stallone – and many, many more heroes who became legends in cinema, theatre, and literature — all of them faced harsh, continuous rejection for many years, despite later becoming pioneers in their fields.

Rejection is truly an essential part of the process, just as patience is a fundamental part of it.

Wow guys! Really glad this post sparked such a thoughtful discussion - I honestly didn’t expect so many great takes. Thanks everyone for weighing in. Obviously formatting is king; if it’s unreadable, the story doesn’t stand a chance. Those Reddit comments were rough, and yeah, it’s hard to engage with something that ignores the basics. Still, I wish the feedback had been delivered with a little more empathy - harshness rarely teaches as well as guidance does.

Maurice Vaughan I’m glad you had gentler mentors when you started out. That kind of feedback makes all the difference early on.

Elle Bolan Cool fun fact about Courier! Makes sense, and honestly, it’s not such a bad font once you get used to staring at it for hours.

Pat Alexander Couldn’t agree more. Formatting is crucial, but I love how you frame it as communication, not elitism. Your approach - firm but encouraging - is exactly what helps new writers grow.

You're welcome, Liron Vardi. Thanks for starting the conversation. It'll help writers, especially new writers.

Khari Telesford Same here. I’ve learned to love the structure; it looks so clean. Funny thing, though -read enough scripts and you realize every writer still interprets “standard” a little differently.

Jay Gladwell Totally agree. The one-page-per-minute rule is one of those details that really matters once you’re thinking about production, and it’s good discipline for all of us.

Husin Alkhatib Loved your note about criticism. It’s true, writers have to learn to take it. I just wish talented writers didn’t have to struggle so hard to find work while dishing it out.

Aleksandr Rozhnov Great comparison to other professions. You’re right, every industry has rules, and knowing them early is essential. I was only annoyed by how the critique was delivered, not what was said.

Bobby Bridges That’s such a healthy attitude. I think that writer probably will take it to heart - when every comment hits the same point, the message usually lands.

Desiree Middleton Perfectly said. A pat on the back first, then point them to the right tools, that’s exactly what I wish had happened.

Banafsheh Esmailzadeh I’m using WriterDuet, it’s great. There are so many good options now beyond Final Draft; whatever helps you stay consistent is the right one.

Thanks again everyone, an awesome discussion!

I “LOVE” your response. PERIOD! ♥️

Aleksandr Rozhnov It depends on where they are in their journey. Reading screenplays has never been a waste of time. Watching hours of movies and or TV shows to study the craft has never been a waste of time. But these are things a new writer may not know. I'm rooting for everyone!

LOL

I agree with you! I feel like you can point someone in the direction of learning formatting without the humiliation responses that I often see on Reddit. Also why do they all think a post needs 20 to 30 responses all saying "learn formatting, bruh" I feel like saying to them, learn to read previous replies to a thread, bruh. If you don't have anything new to add to the conversation just scroll past, you're not that important that your instruction to learn formatting will over-ride the 25 previous instructions to learn formatting and the OP will suddenly read YOUR response and have an aha moment, "oh my god. I need to learn formatting!".

To be honest with you I find the Reddit Screenwriting community a bit of a hostile place. There are definitely some real gems on there who are kind and thoughtful and go out of their way to give meaningful advice and feedback to people but there are way more angry, entitled, bitter, no sense of humour individuals who just negatively react to everything they see. The community here on Stage 32 is so much more supportive and kind.

Amy Moffatt hilarious! You're damn right about Reddit. I think the reason here people are nicer is because they're here with their real name, rather than hiding behind some random handle.