How to Make the Screenplay Look Good

How to Make the Screenplay Look Good

The pages in a script should be fastened securely together to a stiff folder, with the title page at the front, containing the scriptwriter’s contact details. If any pages appear dog-eared, replace them, especially the title page. Crisp, clean pages with sharp printed text shows that the screenwriter has taken care with their work, and therefore what lies within is likely to show the same care.

Formatting the Screenplay

Readers are insistent that a screenplay should be properly formatted. There are downloadable packages available that format the script for you, which takes away the headache of doing so manually. ScriptSmart Gold is an excellent recourse for aspiring screenwriters. This tool will format film, TV drama, sitcoms and radio for the UK and the US markets.

How Not to Write a Screenplay

A screenplay is a different medium to a literary novel. It does not allow for background information or lengthy descriptions of the characters. The screenplay means show don’t tell. A reader will be immediately put off by reams of prose. Ideally, a screenplay must consist of lots of white page, punctuated by short paragraphs describing action and snappy dialogue.

What Will Turn a Reader off a Screenplay

According to Ray Frensham’s Teach Yourself Screenwriting (Hodder Education, 2003) the first thing a reader will do is to flick through the pages to see how long the script is and how much text per page it contains. An ideal script should be between 90 and 110 pages long. One page roughly equates one minute of screen time. Anything outside of this is not good. Reams of text is also not good. In this case, less is more, and lots of white spaces on each page will be looked on with approval.

Getting a Screenplay Read

Literary agents and production departments receive a huge influx of screenplays every day. For this reason, their readers will look for every reason to reject your screenplay. It is good exercise to imagine a tired, underpaid reader in the production department when you consider the first ten pages of a screenplay. For this reason, the first ten pages of a screenplay are absolutely crucial.

Giving the Script a Good First Impression

Presentation is important. Ensure the script is formatted properly and includes contact details and (if appropriate) SAE. The first ten pages are crucial and must grab the reader.