Comments on: Don't Let These Problems Ruin Your Screenplay

By: Rishen

Rishen — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 16:45:04 +0000

Hi Kris!
Thanks for the great advice thus far. I have a problem regarding the pacing of my work and i've found myself in a tricky situation.
I love ensemble pieces that follow three or four storylines, using dialogue as a potent tool. Unfortunately, using conventional methods, it takes too long to introduce my characters (according to many producers). To counter this, i've tried narration which works perfectly in many neo noir movies such as mine. Once again, this is something that attracts many frowns.
Some of the best ensemble pieces are detailed at the beginning but for a spec writer, producers just don't want to accept this type of writing. I'm considering throwing in the towel since i'm certain that this is the genre that i'm great at but unable to get producers to read beyond page 10.
Anyway, i'm sorry for the lengthy post. Thanks again.

By: Ariah Makhi

Ariah Makhi — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 08:35:02 +0000

Thank you so very much. I will certainly take a look at the ScriptFrenzy site, I'm sure it will put an end to any remaining questions I have on formatting. Thanks again for the wonderful advice!

By: Kris

Kris — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:15:23 +0000

Hi Ariah,

I've never heard of using a triple space for anything in a screenplay. Even when you are using a transition (CUT TO, DISSOLVE TO, etc.), it is followed by a double space rather than a triple space.

The ScriptFrenzy web site has a great article describing how each element in the screenplay should be formatted. Toward the end of the article, there is a list that indicates the appropriate spacing between each element. There is also a link at the bottom of the page where you can download a 10-page sample script in PDF format to use as an example.

~ Kris

By: Ariah Makhi

Ariah Makhi — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 22:28:58 +0000

Hello again Kris. I have a question after happening upon a very helpful screenplay analysis guide by Michael Ray Brown. I understand that its necessary to double space between slug lines and the previous and following action/description; however, I'm unsure if it still protocol to triple space before a new scene heading, or just stick with a normal double space to save room?

Mr. Brown's guide seems to be fairly up to date as it was last updated in 2008, yet I remember reading somewhere else that double spacing is the norm. Can you update me on what the standard is please? Thank you again for posting such informative blogs, I now follow your page with great anticipation.

With much gratitude,
Ariah

By: Kris

Kris — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 17:24:55 +0000

Hi RJ and Ariah,

Thanks so much for your comments! I'm glad you enjoyed the article and found it helpful.

~ Kris

By: Ariah Makhi

Ariah Makhi — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 10:02:46 +0000

I also would like to express my thanks to you. I have been in the process of rewriting a screenplay after my first critique, and have been steadily researching more and more on a proper format. Until now the information I've found has been either out dated or just flat out inaccurate. This article has eliminated so many questions. I now feel confident that I'm on the right track once and for all. Thank you again!

By: RJ Scriber

RJ Scriber — Thu, 14 May 2009 03:21:32 +0000

Wow, thank you for the tips. They help a lot. The mistakes I made, when I began writing, was I thought that you had to put in the camera angles, shots, and capitalization of each action word (more trouble with the latter), and when I looked for help, it was always 50-50 or they didn't know. I have had an agent read my script, and he never even mentioned the lack of capitalized action words, so my long dilemma is finally gone. Thank you.