I got this question recently:
I use Final Draft to write my scripts. When I read produced screenplays none of them seem to have the same format as my scripts do in Final Draft. I have been told that Final Draft was the standard that all screenwriters use. I have read several of William Goldman’s screenplays and he is not even in the ballpark. What’s the deal?
No need to worry, Final Draft is the industry standard for writing screenplays. If you let Final Draft format your scripts using the default settings you should be fine.
Screenplay formatting isn’t a science. There is no governing body that determines what is “right” and what is “wrong” when it comes to screenplay formatting. So it’s not surprising that you’ve found many produced screenplays where the exact format differs some.
The main thing to keep in mind is that you want your script to be a “quick” and “easy” read. Don’t let the formatting get in the way of reading it. In general Final Draft does a pretty good job formatting screenplays but there is still quite a bit of style that the writer has to use to make his screenplay easily readable. Try to minimize camera angles and camera direction and let the story flow naturally. Try and use as few slug lines as you can get away with as these are hard to constantly read. As long as your script flows easily and the reader can “see” the movie as they read it you should be find.
It’s good that you’re reading lots of scripts because this is the best way to get a feel for different writer’s styles and how a good script can really flow and be read easily.
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Yes!
I’m always telling new screenwriters to please READ as many scripts as they can get their hands on. There really is no substitute.
I use Sophocles. Have been for years. Very easy to use. I agree that you should limit camera direction, etc. I used to end each scene with, cut to: Now I just go to the next scene or shot. I might use Dissolve to: or Fade to:
Example:
Bill looked at Mary, sighed and ran off toward the park.
EXT. PARK – DAY
The Park….
I was mentored in CA twenty-seven years ago by a retired editor at MGM George White. He was awesome. He told me something I will never forget about writing scripts. He said, “Scott, all you have to do is set the scene and run the dialogue!” You can be descriptive about when and where, but leave the camera angles, etc. (shooting script) to the Director’s and the DP’s until such time you have the clout to make those choices. George also gave me some other advice. “To be a good writer, you have to have your ass in a chair and your fingers on the keys.” Good luck!
Good advice for sure!
A spec script is diffeent from a shooting script . There are laws in format, sometimes there is more than one way to dress a page but it’s really about knowing what’s acceptable as far as the rule. Personally, I think it’s better to watch movies with captions, that way you not only see the dialogue, but you also view the film. A good screenwriter watches more movies than reads screenplays.
A spec script is different from a shooting script . There are laws in format, sometimes there is more than one way to dress a page but it’s really about knowing what’s acceptable as far as the rule. Personally, I think it’s better to watch movies with captions, that way you not only see the dialogue, but you also view the film. A good screenwriter watches more movies than reads screenplays.