Script Formatting: Tips for New Script Writers

Script writing can be fun. In many ways it also can be easier than writing a full length novel- as long as the writer is experienced in script writing. Recently I completed a film script and had it edited by an editor. The editor pointed out several weaknesses in my script that she said many novice script writers have in their scripts. After making the corrections the quality of my script improved. Following are the common mistakes of new script writers and how to avoid them.

Overly Detail Description and Action Narratives
In the description and action narrative passages of a script the writer describes settings, introduce characters, and set up the stage for the story. In writing the description and action narratives, new writers tend to be overly detailed, from describing the furniture and exact dimensions of a room to telling the exact physical appearance of a character. They can overwhelm a story. When the description and action narratives are overly detailed the reader will look over them, thus missing important information that would guide them through the story.
As a writer you visualize your story a certain way and want it created exactly as you see it. However, when a producer, director, or agent reads a script, he or she wants to read as little description as possible. Their focus is on the dialog. In script specs given to agents, producers, and directors to read, the descriptions and actions should be brief, concise, and to the point. Each paragraph should be 4 lines or less. The dialog should drive the story, not the description and action narratives.

Camera Directions
The script that a writer completes and submits to agents, director, and producers is the reading script. It should flow like a story with dialog and little narration. Many new writers include camera directions, known as shots, such as "angle on", "close in", and "close up", in their script specs. Shots are elements used in the production drafts of script specs. They are included in the rewrite of scripts for filming, the production. They are used to direct the camera's shooting. When an agent or producer reads a script for the first time, their focus is on the story and plot. Coming across camera directions can be disruptive as they read. So do not use camera directions in the script spec. Just tell the story simply and concisely. Sometimes a shot is necessary.

Continued and Cut To
Another mistake that novice script writers make is in their uses of "Continued" at the top and end of every page and "Cut to:" at the end of a scene. These are also element only used in the production draft. DO NOT use them in the script spec. when a reader reads a script spec he or she knows the story continues as he or she reads and comes to the end when the last page is read. As for "Cut to:", when the reader sees the next slug line, the scene heading, he or she knows that the current scene has ended and a new one will begin.

Flashback
Writers use flashbacks, to explain a character's behavior or current situation in life. This is fine as long as the flashbacks, are short and concise, no more than one page and properly placed to avoid disrupting the flow of the story. However, flashbacks can be disruptive, especially when you find yourself explaining a lot in a flashback. Adjust the story so that what is in the flashback can be explained in the dialog or be apart of the real time of the story.

Script Length
Now this is something that every script writer must keep in mind when writing. 1 script page is equal to 1 movie minute, 1 script page = 1 movie minute. Because of this, the industry has set a standard limit on the length of film scripts. The limit is 125 pages, 2 hrs. & 5 min. However, these days in Hollywood movie script specs that are selected do not go pass 114 pages, 1 hr & 54 min. It is preferable for spec scripts to be 90 pages, 1hr & 30min, to 100 pages, 1hr & 40 min. Keep in mind that the shorter the script the shorter the screen time. The shorter the screen time the more showings at the theaters. The more showings at the theater the more money the movie earns. I was advised to always keep the script spec between 90 pages and 98 pages.
Do not try to cheat by printing the script in 10, 11, or 11.5 font. The script font must always be 12 points courier- nothing different.

Bring in Second Pair of Eyes
Always have someone else to read the final draft. A writer's eyes can easily miss mistakes. Have an editor to read over the script to spot mistakes in formatting, grammar, spelling, punctuation, etc- especially formatting. The editor can also edit the flow and understandability of the script's story.

There is a lot a new script / screenplay writer needs to know. With practice he or she can become a professional.