February
5
2010
I’m almost finished writing a movie script, then what?
I’m near the end of writing a movie script. I followed the right format and everything, or almost.
What are the proper page margins for dialogue? I see a lot of templates with different lengths.
Am I allowed to abbreviate names? Many characters hold the same titles such as “private” and “lieutenant”.
Some people may not understand some of the lingo I use. Is there a way I can put some kind of notes into a script to help readers understand?
Where would I need to go to get a movie into consideration?
And lastly, would it be a good idea to post it on the Internet?
Thanks
Image taken on 2008-09-18 22:59:07. Image Source. (Used with permission)
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Tags: almost, Finished, Movie, Script, Writing
Category: Movie Script HELP | Posted by: brian on February 5, 2010
1 Comment to “I’m almost finished writing a movie script, then what?”
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By meat, February 5, 2010 @ 6:12 am
Well … if you’re asking about formatting a screenplay, you’re not quite finished yet.
To answer the most obvious unasked question: you need to read screenplays to see how they’re formatted. My recommendations on where to read screenplay are:
http://www.script-o-rama.com
http://www.simplyscripts.com
http://www.imsdb.com
Pick up a copy of the Screenwriters Bible by David Trottier, it’ll answer the questions you’ll have.
There’s free software out there that will format your screenplay for you. The best package I’ve found (I use Movie Magic Screenwriter, which isn’t free) is celtx. It’s available here:
http://www.celtx.com
You’re allowed to do whatever you like with your screenplay, it’s YOUR screenplay. Your characters should all have their own names (obviously), and if that name is “Private Biggs” or “Lieutenant Haversham” then – when you introduce the character you call them “PVT BIGGS” and “LT. HAVERSHAM” or whatever you want and you keep it that way throughout the entire screenplay (I’d just go with BIGGS and HAVERSHAM, myself). In DIALOGUE, though, you spell out the whole word – “lieutenant.”
Understanding the lingo isn’t necessary, and you should NOT put in notes to explain what you’re writing. What you do do, however, is you make sure that the lingo explains ITSELF in the screenplay. Explaining something to a reader can make it sound like you’re talking down to them. If – for instance – Haversham tells Biggs to “lock and load” you might want to have an action line after the dialogue that shows Biggs locking the safety on his weapon and slapping in a magazine. You’ve use some parlance that a reader might not know, and then you’ve explained in the context of the story what that phrase means without talking down to the reader. Be careful not to micromanage your characters with too many action lines, though. You don’t necessarily need to show what every bit of lingo means. They’ll hire someone to consult on the film when the time comes.
Before I launch into my “here’s what you do to sell your screenplay” advice (which I am copying and pasting), the last thing I want to tell you is this:
It’s not a good idea to post your work on the internet. Even if it’s properly registered.
Here’s my advice to help you get your screenplay sold:
Once you’ve finished your screenplay, you’ll need to protect it and find someone to sell it for you – an agent or a manager.
You register your work through the Writers Guild of America West:
http://www.wgawregistry.org
And you get an agent or a manager by picking up a copy of the Hollywood Representation Directory and compiling a list of every agent or manager that represents writers in the genre you write in. Then you send them all query letters (you don’t send your screenplays). Interview the ones that respond, and pick the one that you believe will work the best for you and be the best fit. Remember that the agent or manager you pick works for YOU, not the other way around. This person will then shop your work for you.