Writing a screenplay...?

Question

I know nothing about writing a screenplay.... basically. So, would this be a good program for me ot purchase? Is it a reasonable price? good info? ETC. ETC.
THANKS.
http://www.movieinamonth.com/screenwriting/?pu=false

Answer 1

CayleeJo, I'd hold off on buying screenwriting software for now. It's a convenience, but it doesn't do anything Word, Notepad, Wordpad, or WordPerfect can't do. It's just a matter of setting margins and tabs.

Go to http://www.oscars.org/nicholl/format.html for some script page samples so you can get a feel for how they should look.

The font is always, ALWAYS, Courier New (or some other form of Courier), 12pt.

The margins are as follows (from the left side of the paper):

ACTION ELEMENT: Between 1.5" and 7.25"
SLUGLINES: Same as Action Element
CHARACTER NAME: Between 4.0" and 6.5"
DIALOGUE: Between 2.5" and 6.5"
PARENTHETICAL: Between 3.5" and 6.0"
TRANSITION: Between 5.0" and 7.25"

Once you've completed enough scripts to know for sure that this isn't just a dalliance but something you're going to stick with, buy either FinalDraft or Movie Magic.

Answer 2

I'm also writing my first screenplays after having several books published. The program I use and the one you hear about most often is called FINAL DRAFT. It puts everything in the right place so you can concentrate on the dialogue instead of the tabs.

I also went looking for published screenplays (I, Robot by Harlan Ellison among them) and treatments of television series and movies that are available on line. A good way to learn is to study what worked.

I found the pilot script of ALIEN NATION and the first draft of BATTLE FOR THE PLANET OF THE APES for free. Just be careful when you pick a script that it IS a script and not a transcript. Transcripts lack some of the detail you need.

Answer 3

I have written many screenplays. I've tried to put in writing many extra. Best written movie in what means? Best discussion? Princess Bride. Best tale? Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Best written? Silverado. Favorite Shakespeare play in what means? they are all satisfactory. I do not need any favourite one, however I have a couple of that I do not deal with. Don't exceptionally deal with any Kaufman screenplay. People who do have a tendency to be pretentious non-screenwriters who wish to appear highbrow to others.

Answer 4

Here are a bunch of good resources for you.

http://www.scripts-and-coverage.com/screenplays/screenwriting-resources.asp

----
They're, Their, There - Three Different Words.

Careful or you may wind up in my next novel.

Pax - C

Answer 5

I wouldn't.