How to Write a Screenplay : Spacing & Margin Tips for Screenplays

[ardillomaan]

Thank you so much!!!



[simplename80]

how about the direction in the dialogue?

anw, thank you so much:D

[wescraven02]

thought this was really helpfull and easyliy told,10/10

[booooboooo77]

Ha ha true... Hollywood will accept submissions straight from the toilet bowl, as long as it's in 12 pt courier.

[booooboooo77]

No production company, director, actor or anyone in the industry will look at a script unless it's formatted correctly...SFH if you want to write a script on toilet paper in crayon go ahead, but don't expect your phone to be ringing any time soon. Unless you're rich enough to produce a film yourself, and enough of a maverick genius to be able to make up your own rules, you will have to tow the line like the rest of us mere mortals.

[SatanicFilmHouse]

@booooboooo77 I imagine most scripts produced in Hollywood today are, in fact, written with crayon on toilet paper. It would explain an awful lot. I don't see why something like that would be difficult to sell.

[THENEWJMONEY507]

@SatanicFilmHouse Gaah, I already explained this.

Just like a sonnet has to have fourteen lines and other elements to work, a screenplay has to have certain elements to work The spec script doesn't change it's elements when it goes to the production script--it's the same thing. Read screenplays and see.

[SatanicFilmHouse]

@THENEWJMONEY507 I completely understand that. For a screenplay to work, it must be divided into three acts, which are: setup, conflict, resolution. It also must focus on a person called the "main character," who must A) have backstory (called "characterization") and B) must develop in some way throughout the story (called a "character arc"). That is structure.

In any case, Final Draft formats the script automatically. Why make a big deal about it at all?

[THENEWJMONEY507]

@SatanicFilmHouse I wasn't making a big deal about it. And I know what structure is, and a small part of structure is the format. And I have and use Final Draft--this video is for people who use Microsoft Word or other similar word processors.

[SatanicFilmHouse]

@THENEWJMONEY507 The thing about MS Word is that I've never been able to get the font to look right. I use courier 12-point, but it looks totally different in Final Draft.

[THENEWJMONEY507]

@SatanicFilmHouse I've seen the same thing where the courier on FInal Draft is slightly different from the courier standard--I think that's because Final Draft is trying to go more closely to the look of the old typewriter. Seeing as the format of a script hasn't really changed in 50 years, that might be an explanation.

[SatanicFilmHouse]

The most important part of a screenplay is the story, not how the words are arranged on the paper. Nobody is going to see the script formatting in the theater. It really only matters for the shooting script, to get a basic idea of how long the movie will be. If someone refuses to read a screenplay simply because it's improperly formatted, then they are jackasses.

[Tattoomom1725]

@SatanicFilmHouse i agree but they will throw it away if its not written properly

[THENEWJMONEY507]

@SatanicFilmHouse The formatting is there because of the page-to-screentime ratio. One page of screenplay suggests about one minute of screentime, give or take. That's why a typical script is 90-120 pages long.

A sonnet is not a sonnet unless you follow the rules on structure. A screenplay is not a screenplay unless you follow the structure. The story might be genius, but if it's not structured (formatted in this case) then it's just a story, not a screenplay.

[SatanicFilmHouse]

@THENEWJMONEY507 A screenplay's structure has nothing to do with it's format. Screenplay structure has to do with setup, conflict, resolution, character development, theme, and irony. You could write a screenplay on a chalkboard and that has nothing to do with it's structure. Script formatting is only important for the production draft. Perhaps it's because screenwriters think structure equates to the arranging of words on the page is why so many films today are unwatchable.

[comedymusicguy]

were you using Celtx?

[HorrorMovieReviewGuy]

Im just dipping into this. Major fan of horror, and want to write the genre basically. I think the key here is it better be fun for you, do it for that, the rest if any is a bonus.. good luck everyone.

[officereagle]

*this* was more along the lines of what I was looking for when I searched for "how to write a script!" Not the whole Act 1 Act 2 stuff that the other videos were discussing. Thanks Expert Village! Keep them coming!

[DarkestSide1000]

It's a lot easier if you'd spare $60 and participate in BlueCat SP Comp. They give you 2 analyses and yes, those painful analyses changed my script completely !

[BarneysKiller00]

How do make the action script wider than the dialouge?

[iamfreeize]

It's high time Hollywood made a remake of "The Wizard of Oz". Thumbs up if you agree!

[EpicWar911]

Wht Exacly is ext.? If that's outs side what's inside than?

[dathotki]

@EpicWar911 EXT. = OUTSIDE/EXTERIOR.... INT. = INSIDE/INTERIOR.... there you go.... INT. is inside.

[fatizoo1000]

If Anyone wants me to read his screenplay, he can send it to Badr-colorpurple@hotmail.fr

[roeroe305]

can you use a real police department in your film and have actors act as real police for that police department or would you need a permit first? same for a public high school, can you use a real public high school and display their logo and have actors act as students or would you need a permit?

[DarkestSide1000]

@roeroe305

why would you?

real police department? Why pay a lot if you can just make up the set? Actors act as real police -- I don't understand that. Act then real. what are you talking about?

[roeroe305]

@DarkestSide1000 The Wire used actors acting as baltimore police which is a real police department, even with some real detectives playing very small parts. Can i make a show and get actors to act as Miami Dade Police officers with replica police uniform and mimic other traits that are unique to the Miami dade police department like patrol cars that look just like theres, tactics and procedures and protocol similar to theirs and establish that they are Miami dade police in the film.

[roeroe305]

@DarkestSide1000 since i asked this question a couple months back, i learned that martin Scorsese in the movie, "The Departed", was not able to duplicate the Boston police department officer uniform %100. The Chief or Deputy, whoever had jurisdiction over the matter, said he couldn't do it. he didn't care if it was a Scorsese movie. So that being said, did he have to pay to get a permit to have actors portraying police officers from a real life police department?

[roeroe305]

@DarkestSide1000 since i asked this question a couple months back, i learned that martin Scorsese in the movie, "The Departed", was not able to duplicate the Boston police department officer uniform completely. The Chief or Deputy, whoever had jurisdiction over the matter, said he couldn't do it. he didn't care if it was a Scorsese movie. So that being said, did he have to pay to get a permit to have actors portraying police officers from a real life police department?

[roeroe305]

@DarkestSide1000 since i asked this question a couple months back, i learned that martin Scorsese in the movie, "The Departed", was not able to duplicate the Boston police department officer uniform completely. The Chief or Deputy, whoever had jurisdiction over the matter, said he couldn't do it. he didn't care if it was a Scorsese movie. So that being said, did he have to pay to get a permit to have actors portraying police officers from a real life police department?

[btb213]

If the dialogue and character names are centered, can it still be correctly formated?

[DarkestSide1000]

@btb213

no... it's wrong ! use Celtx or if you're richer, get Final Draft 8.

[yazid3848]

Without proper margins and spacings people wont bother reading your script, i know i wouldnt it makes the readers eyes more relaxed and gives us the feeling that we are breezing through it, the faster the pages turn the more likely we'd read more and the more we read the more likely of it getting a look by someone important, but of course that only plays a part.

[KAZGARDIONX627]

If people are exploding? thats awsome!!!!! XD

[BriHiggz]

Sweeet thanks 

[liverpoolishgirl]

People who spell a MANUAL typewriter as MANUEL (Spanish for Michael) shouldn't be criticizing.

Checked this with my aunt who IS a screenwriter (with three movies to her credit, as well as tv) and she said the reason spacing and such IS so important is simply if it doesn't LOOK right (that is, the way they are used to see it), then it won't even be forwarded to anyone to read in the first place. Period.

[elvaelvirababe]

this is stupid.

[PaintedLadder]

This is like screenwriting for shitheads who dont know shit

[CopsUrMasterAndLord]

Haha, that was the most retarded thing I ever heard in my life!

"Margins and spacing is the most important part of a screen play. It is what makes it a screen play."

Holy crap that's dumb!

[EndlessCreationsENT1]

does the (parenthetical) go after the subjects Dialog or before????

[Morahman7vnNo2]

I just use a Manuel Typewriter.

[gaBehcuoDsuoitneterP]

@Morahman7vnNo2 Which typewriter brand?

[PaintedLadder]

@Morahman7vnNo2 The typewriters not mexican, its manual

[Floorsnarl]

I just read a bad ass horror screenplay called Something In Return.

Check it out:

somethinginreturn.webs.com

Super Scary!

[P1anBeaner]

you can barely even see because of the text in the way

[ThunderGateFilms]

i use Word, and i press 5 times Tab if its a person, and 3 times if he's talking

[Beatnikzombie]

It's a lot easier to just buy Final Draft. It's the industry standard. Plus, you can get different reports to help with casting, locations, etc.

[JarethLovesLeanne]

@Beatnikzombie That's what I use. I use "Final Draft 7." I really want to get "Final Draft 8." I better start saving, ei?!

[msk0film0writer]

THANK YOU VERY MUCH i upload scripts if any1 wants to read them like to get sum rates i just started so i only have 1 right now :)

[Angel3243]

Thanks for this video! I've got one nearly done and I'm trying to format it using Word. I'm about ready to throw my monitor throught the window!

[teech107122]

OMFG!!! Thank U! Gracias! Danke chen!! Merci!!

[MKukula]

Slugline Short Screenplay Competition's earlybird deadline is July 15th, 2010. Go to slugline.webs.com to learn more. $500 CASH PRIZE!

[jonnyb845]

ok, i have no connections in the filming industry, how and what are the chances of my script being made into a feature length film??? no matter how good it is

[xTazerx]

@jonnyb845 Zero unless you shoot it yourself!

[BlackSkullz09]

@jonnyb845 My advice is to get in contact with a talent agency in Loa Angeles and try to get them to help you sellyour idea. And if you do get them to help you, then you will meet with major studios who wants to buy the rights to your script. Then they pay you and make the film, and you will get a back end deal to get some of the box offfice profits. Names of agency i recomend is UTA, GERSH, and APA

[pictureframeproduct]

ya i can count to 4

[Musdaloose]

i am new to these, how long does a script have to be in order for it to be published

[eXcommunicate1979]

Generally between 90 pages (for a comedy or rom-com) and 120 pages. Most (if not ALL) contests require 100-120 pages and will not take anything over 120 pages. I don't know why they are so strict, but those are the rules, which suck for me because my polished script is an historical epic coming in at 159 pages exactly (which is roughly the same length as Cameron's 'AVATAR' script, give or take).

[airboy014]

@eXcommunicate1979 So take out some scenes that are unnecessary, so that it will at least get read, and if it gets picked up an produced than you can pitch the extra scenes to them.

[eXcommunicate1979]

@airboy014

Yeah, thanks for the reply. Since then I have gotten some great script notes from a script reader and will dive into writing the 3rd (and hopefully final) draft in a few weeks.

[ilovefilms94]

I think Celtix is the best place to write a screenplay, this vid was helpful, ive written a couple of scripts on celtix and they are really helpful

[WrestlingGeek1]

Where do you get Celtix? And is it easy to use?

[ilovefilms94]

You look for Celtix on google and you download it (its free) and you can write screenplays, stageplays, radio shows, and comics. Its very easy to use

[freezefan6]

Thank you.

[MichaelFrymus]

Got a question:

I have written some of my own scripts but I am not certain on this...

When you write a script you need to do that action part. When I write the action, how do I know when to start a new line, making a new action paragraph... or how do I know when to continue on in the same paragraph?

What I have done is every time the camera were to cut to another person/object, I would start a new action paragraph in that scene. Is this correct? Or is the # of action paragraphs make no differ?

[eXcommunicate1979]

Whenever you envision a new shot or a new set of actions being performed you'll want a new paragraph. I can't stress enough that no action paragraph should be more than 5 lines long. No exceptions. In fact, the shorter, the better, within reason. The more frenetic the action, the shorter the action paragraphs should be (1 or 2 lines). If the action/scene is more relaxed, then the paragraphs can be longer (but no more than 5 lines). Write this way and your script will read more cinematic.

[njlacrosse9]

does anyone know a good website that teaches you how to draw classic animation back from the "steamboat willie" era?

[chickennone]

Rougly

120 pages .

1 page avg's 1 min of screen time

again this is all typical or "normal"

there is no final answer to how many pages

that's all in how much you have to tell .

[njlacrosse9]

what if your writing more of a slap stick animation, and there would not be as much dialogue then how many pages?

[chickennone]

If you were writing something short with little Dialog I would not follow this guys example

( it's dramatic format )

I would story board it personally

or split page ( where your video is on one side of the page and your narration/dialog the other )

There is more then one "format" for a script

doing what you want this way is harder and more work then it needs to be ,

[eXcommunicate1979]

Depends if you want it to be an animation short or a motion picture.

[FirecrackerAS]

Thank you!!!

[ENUEGAMY]

how many page does it take to make a movie? lets say action movie?

[bobclod05]

Thanks! Very helpful!

[NauticalFILMS]

who got their screenplay sold. I heard they all got ripped off.

[SamMraovich09]

You need to tell us how to rite it first, explain the characters, duh! Everyone type in or copy and paste How to Write a Screenplay by sam mraovich, i'll help you get what you need to know

[Moviewatcher1981]

This guy is a fucking virus on the internet, I swear to God.

[edmondbrooks]

Every time you introduce a new character in the script, do you have to put their age and describe what they're wearing?

[Y2JROCKFAN]

if you have the program this guy is using (celtx program) there are pages dedicated to each character that appears in the script.

[eXcommunicate1979]

Age, generally yes. Describe what they are wearing in the simplest terms possible. Only go into detail on how they look or what they are wearing if those are important traits to the character or scene.

[avirgil14]

You Tube is sent straight from heaven! You can find anything on here. Thank you Tony your instructions are very helpful and easy to follow. Just what I needed to get started. I'm new to this. But just like us all, I got'a few stories in me.

[Goat247]

Is  the dialog single or double spaced between words? Thanks.

[eXcommunicate1979]

Single spaced.

[supermanretired]

I use Celtx, it's free and does the margins automatically for you.

[twilightrocks122]

@supermanretired I do, too! I love it.

[legoman769]

@supermanretired i uses the same

[sds123kzproductions]

@supermanretired i use Celtx too, it's great!

[Supazoda]

thanx again

[composer321]

Great tips. Hey, for everyone out there that likes to make movies, I want to be a film composer, so if you guys need a composer, contact me and I'll help you guys out on the music part of your film. Some of my music is on my google site. Check it out. Thanks.

[manishsinha2008]

which software is this?

[mattman2900]

it looks like a version of "Movie Magic" but its hard to tell.

[jasedotcom]

I just wrote a 120 page feature. What do I do with it?

[aznsoulja007]

sell it

[KemmyBrownEyez]

Ummmm, register it and get a lit agent/manager and do as many rewrites till the shits marketable.

[reexpert2]

thanks for all these tips! lol, thats the wizard of oz

[iamsobored88]

yeah it is because you HAVE to make everything perfect to ever make it anywhere with it... (maybe one day i will actually do that lol)

[4amgordon]

is it really necessary for all this SPACING stuff?

[liquid1122]

lol, it's annoying but yea.

[mattman2900]

Yup. if you're off on any spacing (too little/too much on anything) you'll be lucky if even gets read. Remember don't send a screenplay to a studio, send it an lit agent, sorry Literary agent that accepts new writers. How to find one? Research and call or email them.

Always have 2-3 screenplays completed and polished before sending ANY of them out.

[Dimes329]

Is it neccassary to put "end scene" at the end of every scene or can you just, differinate between scenes using EXT and INT??

[mjs90772]

No... You don't have to put END OF SCENE. In fact, you shouldn't. You can transition from scene to scene using INT. or EXT. Or, you can also use scene transitions such as

CUT TO: DISSOLVE TO: 

And any other transition that you can think of.

[jasedotcom]

FADE IN:

INT. HOUSE - DAY

JOHN is standing in his LIVING ROOM holding a gun. Nervously, he snaps the CLIP into place, pointing the REVOLVER at his HEAD.  JOHN (softly) Fuck my life.

BAM!! He's blown himself away.

[onlytymecantell]

When does your movie come out. I cried when he blew himself away.

[Supazoda]

ahahah funny

[KemmyBrownEyez]

Shortest movie ever... quick and to the point. I'd pay to see that. lol.

[eXcommunicate1979]

"CLIP" Should be MAG or MAGAZINE. ;) Also, a little more descriptive when you mention the gun would be nice. Is it a revolver? 38 Special? A 1908?

[Mysterwright]

@jasedotcom Too bad it was a squirt gun. Then his best friend drags the cheating girlfriend out of her house by the hair and forces her to apologize to him. Then they both steal all her toys and bite her.

[yuthchack]

have power,ispire,management,logic,­value,tone,grene and focus then write it !!!