I try to read screenplays every chance I get and I often find that the best ones are those that, when you're reading them, you forget that they're a screenplay. I'm currently reading the Gone Girl script and can't stop chuckling to myself. Gillian Flynn is able to get so much humour and wit into so...
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Doug, can you give me just one good example of what you're talking about. For whatever reason I'm always concerned that something in my formatting might not be exactly perfect.
Hey Patrick! You can check out KINGSTOWN posted on my page. My formatting is proper for the current spec market according to The Screenwriter's Bible. KINGSTOWN has also been through double-digit coverages and is being reviewed by THW as we post.
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Patrick, no I can’t give you just one example – there are so many. Scene headings should not include anything more than INT/EXT. LOCATION – DAY/ NIGHT – don’t put action in scene headings. Keep your w...
Expand commentPatrick, no I can’t give you just one example – there are so many. Scene headings should not include anything more than INT/EXT. LOCATION – DAY/ NIGHT – don’t put action in scene headings. Keep your writing short and concise – no adverbs (find a stronger verb.) Keep it in present tense (not passive), avoid words that end in “…ing”. Give each character a unique voice. Cut way back on unnecessary exposition (don’t waste precious story space on filler.) These are the sorts of things that send professional readers out of the storyline – once you’ve done that; you’ve lost ‘em.
Team – I took a quick look at KINGSTOWN – it’s not bad, a little redundant in spots.
Doug, thanks. All of the things you mention seemed to go without saying. Maybe that's just me. I've always heard people talk about incorrect formatting but I guess I don't see much of it. But I haven'...
Expand commentDoug, thanks. All of the things you mention seemed to go without saying. Maybe that's just me. I've always heard people talk about incorrect formatting but I guess I don't see much of it. But I haven't read that many scripts. What I do see a lot of are boring stories, totally unfunny "comedies" and what I call "OH, COME ON"s. When there's a plot point that is so utterly ridiculous that it would never happen in real life.