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Here's a Tip: |
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Never mistake detail for story. |
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A good structure makes for a satisfying story. You should spend at least as much time on the structure as you do on the plot. And don't forget that plot and structure are intimately linked. If your structure isn't crucial to your plot, it's probably the wrong structure. |
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A good title will get your script read. |
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Before you go into development, know beyond all shadow of a doubt what you won't compromise over. Then be prepared to sacrifice everything else. |
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Remember that in a spec screenplay you're writing for a good read. If your reader puts your script down at any point, they probably won't pick it up again. Make it a page turner! |
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In action be specific but concise. Only include significant detail. |
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It's not who you know, it's who knows you. |
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Action needs to be broken into paragraphs of around 4 lines. |
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Your title page must include: title, your name, your contact details, the copyright symbol with your name and year after it - all in courier. Do not include anything else. Do not put a cover over your title page. |
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Without limitations, there is no creativity - Orson Welles |
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Unless you are submitting your script for an assessment, don't number your scenes. |
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Write only what you can see and hear (i.e. don't write anything in the action that the viewer has no access to). |
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Never underestimate the importance of spelling, grammar, and punctuation. |
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Never mention the screen or the camera. |
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50s, not 50's, 1990s, not 1990's. |
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Never write 'Final Draft' on your script. |
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Parentheticals or wrylies (the brackets below a character name, and before the dialogue) should only contain the emotion behind the dialogue (wryly, sarcastically, emphatically), and should be very short. Anything else should be in the action (e.g. 'he looks around'). |
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'OS' means off-screen, that is, the person is in the scene, but not visible. 'VO' means voice over, that is, the person is not in the scene, but can be heard (eg. a narrator). |
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When it comes to dialogue, less is better. |
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No naked slugs - the slugline, or scene heading, should always be followed by at least one word of action (e.g. 'Dawn'). |
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A new location means a new scene means a new slugline. |
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Never dictate camera angles - this is the director's job. If you want to suggest a new camera angle, start a new paragraph. |
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Always write in the simple present tense ('she cooks the dog' NOT 'she is cooking the dog'), ie. don't use 'is -ing' constructions unless unavoidable. |
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