IMPORTANT!
Please take the time to read this!
My current producer occassionally hands me a script saying "Oh my God, you
wouldn't believe someone would send out crap like this... but look! How do they
expect me to read it?!" (If you knew her, you'd laugh! She prefaces nearly every
statement with "Oh my God"!)
As amused as I seem when she tells me this, I am quietly mortified for the
writers who wrote those scripts. I pray that NO ONE ever looks at my scripts with
the same reaction. As a result, I use my knowledge, skills and discipline (and
software) to prevent this from happening.
I WANT TO HELP YOU, TOO!
As a former English instructor, it was my job was to encourage students to be
professional with whatever they did. Each week, a paper was due... and obviously
well thought-out content was the crucial element. But if that paper failed to be
PERFECT in presentation (spelling, grammar, and format), I would REFUSE to read it.
Of course, before implementing these expectations, I spent weeks working
with them on how to accomplish professional looking material! (I'm not THAT
ruthless! ) But during that time, I stressed that even the most profound piece of
writing would be overlooked if it didn't adhere to the rules/specifications laid out
by the recipient.
Some students owned amazing computers that formatted things like crazy! Other
students had access to campus computers. I even had a computer in my office that
I let students use. Whatever it takes, MAKE IT LOOK PROFESSIONAL!
Some students had so much on their plate that, after having spent so much
time writing the paper, they were unable to find the time (or the means) to make it
look professional. They were encouraged to hire someone out --a boyfriend, a parent,
a typing service... ANYONE! JUST MAKE IT LOOK PROFESSIONAL!
FADE IN:
INT. CLASSROOM - DAY
STUDENTS file into the classroom, prepared to hand in a paper.
MR. ADAMS waits patiently at his podium as the students place
their papers into a cardboard box on the table in front of him.
TWO STUDENTS hesitate with their papers. They are unsure of
something.
STUDENT #1
Um, hey Mr. Adams... my printer wigged
out last night, so the margins are a
little off. Is that OK?
STUDENT #2
(unconvincingly)
I got a little spot of jelly on this page,
but it came off fairly well... see?
(a beat)
That'll be all right, won't it?
Mr. Adams stares tiredly at the two for a beat. With a
SIGH, he rubs his face with both hands before answering.
MR. ADAMS
You tell me.
(another beat)
Was it all right last time?
FADE TO BLACK
Some students would use white-out on final copies or even add something with
ink! I'd be doing them NO favors by saying "Mmmmmmmm... ok. You're a nice kid,
I'll let it go this time."
SO MY POINT IS...
Agents, producers, and directors don't know who you are! They just want to
find a story that will sell! They don't have the time to learn more about you!
You need to impress them from the get-go!
You have at least these three choices:
- Get the necessary script writing software.
- This can be expensive or not. Let me help!
- I've got links to some FREEWARE SCRIPTWRITING
PROGRAMS below. I'd be a JERK if I didn't tell
you about them!
- But, I can't endorse them as great programs.
I don't know them well enough. You may find
those programs extremely helpful, but I have
FINAL DRAFT! So everything pretty much pales in
comparison! (Check out their DEMO SITE!)
- Plunk it out PERFECTLY and CAREFULLY using your typewriter
or wordprocessing program.
- I did this with my first script. It was tough.
But I did it. The danger is making changes as you
go along.
- Oh! Get this! After FINALLY being satisfied with
the script, I printed it out and proudly gave it
to my wife. She found 2 errors on the very first
page! By fixing them, I had to REFORMAT and
REPRINT the whole @$*!# thing! ARG!!
- I got over it though! :-)
- HAVE SOMEONE ELSE TYPE IT FOR YOU!!
- THIS IS WHERE I COME IN!
- It may be difficult for you to get the actual typing done!
- At the risk of RE-advertising, I'm offering you A LOT
more than any typist or printing company can offer!
* A PERFECT Master Copy for Copyright (form included)
* A PERFECT Master Copy for Reproduction (in hardcover)
* Two Scene Breakdowns
* Your FINAL DRAFT File on a Floppy
* Agency List (250+)
* Quick turn-around & priority mailing.
- Not only that, I know and appreciate what you're
attempting, and I have a complete understanding of
what's expected!
- Syd Field, scriptwriting guru and author of several
books, says this about commissioning someone to type
your script:
"It's a small amount to pay for
the time spent writing it. The
pleasure, the pain, and sheer hard
work of writing has cost you far
more than that."
-Syd Field
Screenplay
Scriptwriting Templates:
| Caution |
Be sure to back up your scripts before applying ANY of these programs! |
Those are all the freeware sites I've gone to...
I'd recommend heading over to Charles Deemer's Software Page
He's got links to screenwriting software that might be affordable to you!
(some sites have trial programs, so if you're ready to transfer your material in a few days...
download one and whip it out!)
----just be sure the trial doesn't make a watermark on the page!----
heh, heh!
David!
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Email: dsadams@telcomplus.net
