Screenwriting Basics: Writing a Professional Screenplay

Author: James Adams Clofield

Screenwriting Basics: Writing a Professional Screenplay

Books are very good sources of movie franchises that end up as blockbusters. So it is a big advantage for writers to learn how to transform their manuscript into a movie or television screenplay.  However, unlike books, professional screenwriting affords no room for creativity and individuality when it comes to format.  So writers must be careful to follow the correct professional screenplay standards right down to the color and the way the pages are held together. Divert from this and you risk instant rejection, especially by studio professionals.

In free form writing, the author has some freedom with regard to things like margins, spacing and the like, but in writing for the screen, you have none. Any variation from standard screenplay format will expose you as an novice and most likely get your work a one way ticket to the reader's trash can.

Below are several ways to guarantee your screenplay stands the scrutiny of zealous studio professionals:

1. Purchase a movie script sample from online services like Script City or Simply Scripts  and copy the formatting in Microsoft Word. However, take extra care to get the screenwriter's primary submission and not the shooting script.  Many online services will sell you the shooting script which is a slightly different format. If you submit a speculative shooting script and it will be quickly declined.  The shooting script, however, will teach you how screenwriters give rise to cinematic poetry, so you ought to purchase and read a few screenplays.  You will also notice that while the format is constant, style varies from screenplay to screenplay.

2. If you prefer the D-I-Y route, you can purchase books on screenwriting and teach yourself.  This is a more economical option but remember, there is no room for error when it comes to the proper screenplay format

3. Items 1 and 2 are options, but really not good ones for serious writers. The smartest and simplest way to make sure you format your script correctly is to buy screenwriting software.

A quick Google search for screenwriting software will return a variety of options that will overwhelm you. So it may be a good idea to read professional screenwriters blogs to learn about what writers are using.  What worked for them can definitely work for you.

The two best sellers (by a wide margin- estimated at 60-75% of all scriptwriting software sold) and also the most popular among established screenwriters are Final Draft and Movie Magic Screenwriter. Scripped Pro is an "in the cloud" offering, which means you can work on your screenplay from any computer anywhere there is an Internet connection, which adds a level of convenience.

Finally, it's good to have an authoritative reference book on hand to assist you with questions that may come up as you weave your masterpiece. A popular suggestion is David Trottier's The Screenwriter's Bible.

With the right software, the right sample scripts and the right reference book, you will be better-armed to take on the great movie-writing challenge.  And with your professionally written screenplay in hand, you will find that it is well worth your effort.

For more writing tips, head over to the iUniverse Writers Tips and learn from the experience of iUniverse self-published authors.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/screenplay-articles/screenwriting-basics-writing-a-professional-screenplay-6135316.html

About the Author

James Adams is born in Schenectady, New York but has since relocated to the Philippines, running his own indie publishing consultancy. He has over a decade's experience helping writers publish independently through self-publishing. He advices authors on matters of writing, editing and marketing books independently. He also educates indie authors about the various publishing options available through iUniverse and regularly contributes to the Author Focus Micro site.

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