Do some research and enjoy the benefits of the software that will only help you in a number of ways. These days, there are many good options and some are even free. I want to be clear that you don’t need to use Final Draft, but you must use an established screenwriting software if you want to achieve a professional document. This is a huge problem because each correctly formatted page equals one minute of screen time and producers need to know how many minutes the movie will be. It feels ridiculous to say this because it’s screenwriting 101, but I recently read a screenplay created as an MS Word document and the dialogue margins were completely off (they were WAY too wide, perhaps twice what they should be), meaning the 127-page script (already too long) would likely be at least 150 pages in screenwriting software like Final Draft. Under NO circumstances should a writer show a script to a producer or manager/agent that is self-formatted in Google Docs or Microsoft Word. Pro Screenwriting Software Takes Care of Script FormatĪs previously mentioned, this is incredibly important. Here are the basics of screenplay formatting. Every bit of ink you leave off the page is purposeful as well. Be aware that every little bit of ink on that page has a purpose and a function. While film is a visual medium, meant to be seen on the big screen, the first interaction with your story is always through a reading of your screenplay – words on a page. But understanding the purpose behind each element of the format will help you tell your story in the best way possible. Yes, screenwriting software will absolutely help you with this process. If something as simple as the formatting is off, it’s likely the structure, character arcs, and climax are off too. Any producer or manager can tell just by looking at the first page if you know what you’re doing. In order to master script format, you’ll need to learn about its basic elements.Ĭorrectly formatting a screenplay may seem low priority compared to coming up with a bankable, highly commercial movie idea that will attract big stars, but getting the script format correct is actually very important.
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