Screenplay Writing Software

Any tips on writing scripts and screenplays?

I'd like to be able to send off scripts for TV shows, and screenplays to professional companies, but I don't really know how they should be set out. Do you need special software, or can they be set up in word? Also, any tips on the sort of style stage directions and descriptions of characters and scenes are written in? Do they tend to be written sparingly, leaving most of it to the director etc, or is it ok to go more creative with the language?

Public Comments

1. No stage directions, no descriptions of the characters beyond whats needed. Brevity is your friend, you've only got between 90 and 120 pages to get your story on paper. Every page is a minute of screen time. To start, read some screenplays and learn proper format: www.script-o-rama.com www.simplyscripts.com www.imsdb.com You can get a copy of celtx - a formatting program that will help you put your screenplay in the proper format. You can get it here: http://celtx.com/ Once you've written your masterpiece, register it with the Writers Guild of America. Most professional screenwriters register their work rather than copyright it, as they're selling the work to someone else (and that 'someone else' is the one that will copyright the work). You can register your work here: http://www.wgawregistry.org Then get a copy of the Hollywood Representation Directory and find an agent or manager to represent you. Write a query letter, and send it to the agents/managers that you think would be a good fit with you. Interview the agents/managers that respond and pick the best one. The agent or manager will be the person who shops your screenplay for you.
2. Right now the market for original TV series is hurting, and therefore the BEST market to be writing for as an amateur screenwriter. But writing a TV series is much more complex than writing a feature screenplay. http://johnaugust.com/library http://tvwriting.googlepages.com/ http://www.simplyscripts.com/tv.html The above are your starter sites for television. They include screenplays written for television, production bibles, and treatments. You don't NEED special software, but it certainly is less time consuming if you acquire screenwriting software. The most popular are Final Draft and Movie Magic Screenwriter, and of course the free software of choice is Celtx. What you NEED to do before anything else is pick up the following books from your library or bookstore before you even begin writing. The Screenwriter's Bible by David Trottier. The Writer's Journey by Chris Voegler Story by Robert McKee The Bible will answer all of your formatting questions, as well as help you develop your story, and give you an idea of what happens next after you finish your script and prepare to sell it. The Writer's Journey helps you understand the necessary character arcs needed in every story, and gives you modern day examples from modern day film. Story is the premier text you will need, as it explains how to tell a story in a screenplay. Most writers have no clue how to tell a story in a screenplay, and therefore fail when they try to sell it. Hope this helps.
3. every page is one minute on screen dont write camera or character descriptions like micheal landon the cast just walked in and if thats who he though would be good for the part they got that part he very rarely wrote character descriptions and for format you can go on to many different websites and they will explain it yes you can buy software but you dont have to and if you dont format it right companies will throw it away ~~~Daddy's Baby Girl~~~