Screenwriting Faq

[Isaac_Brody]

Software:

Final Draft and Movie Magic Screenwriter are pretty much the industry standards. On which one to use it comes down to personal preference.

Final Draft:
http://www.finaldraft.com/

Movie Magic Screenwriter:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00005V7FW/qid=1141575236/sr=8-1/ref=pd_bbs_unbuck_1/104-3021469-6435100?v=glance&s=software&n=1000

Sophocles:
http://www.sophocles.net/

Free Software:

Celtx
http://www.celtx.com/index.html

Books:

Syd Field: Screenplay
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0440576474/104-3021469-6435100?v=glance&n=283155

Robert Mckee: Story
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0060391685/ref=cm_bg_f_2/104-3021469-6435100?s=books&v=glance&n=283155

Christopher Vogler: The Writer’s Journey
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0941188701/ref=pd_sim_b_3/104-3021469-6435100?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance&n=283155

David Trottier: The Screenwriter's Bible
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1879505444/104-3021469-6435100?v=glance&n=283155

Denny Flinn: How Not To Write A Screenplay
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1580650155/sr=8-1/qid=1141580183/ref=pd_bbs_1/104-3021469-6435100?%5Fencoding=UTF8

Web resources:

http://www.wordplayer.com

http://www.johnaugust.com

http://www.donedealpro.com/

http://www.inktip.com/

http://www.creativescreenwriting.com/index.html - Online version of the magazine Creative Screenwriting. Also has a free podcast.

http://www.hcdonline.com/ Hollywood Creative Directory

http://www.moviebytes.com - A great source for screenwriting contests.

Online Workshops:

http://www.triggerstreet.com/

http://www.zoetrope.com/

http://www.thewritersbuilding.org/ - $25 annual fee.

Free script Links:

http://www.scriptcrawler.net/

http://www.simplyscripts.com/

http://www.simplyscripts.com/

http://www.scriptpimp.com/show_me/free_screenplays/

http://www.soyouwannasellascript.com/source/screenplays.cfm

http://www.script-o-rama.com/

http://www.screentalk.biz/ Free with registration

Buy scripts:

http://www.scriptfly.com/

Copyright:

U.S. Copyright Office
http://www.copyright.gov/register/performing.html
Cost: $45

Writers Guild of America West
http://www.wgawregistry.org/webrss/
Cost: $20

Writers Guild of America East
https://www.wgaeast.org/script_reg/
Cost: $22

Note: WGA registration doesn't provide copyright protection. For twenty-five bucks more you can protect your work at the U.S. Copyright Office.

Screenwriting Formatting and Supplies:

Proper Formatting:
http://www.oscars.org/nicholl/format.html

Brads:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00007LB0M/sr=1-2/qid=1137365828/ref=sr_1_2/102-9305680-6743307?%5Fencoding=UTF8

Holepunchers:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00009L1WG/ref=cm_bg_f_3/102-9305680-6743307?v=glance&n=1064954

http://www.writersstore.com/ - Brads, books, and a great resource for anything and everything screenwriting related.

[Isaac_Brody]

Feel free to add resources to this list. I'll add them to the main post.

[Yas Kassana]

www.screenwriting.info

Has to be the most informative website on the process ever. In my humble opinion.

[EJ Pennypacker]

It is worth updating that www.scriptsales.com is now www.donedealpro.com

EJ

[Ed Kishel]

http://www.mindstarprods.com/cinergy/scripteditor.html

annoying add at the bottom, but very usefull and free!

[tshark]

Syd Field Screenwriting Workshop DVD
http://www.filmwareproducts.com/FinalDraft/fdsfielddvd.html

[SKY 27]

if any one is looking for final draft, let me know, i could get it for you, for free.

[500lb Productions]

BBC has an excellent set of FREE macros for Word which includes a toolbar and a windows help file.

If you have Word 2000 or later, and want a free add-in that makes it easy to work in script format , it's definitely worth checking out.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/scriptsmart/

[El Gato Negro]

I actually started with scriptware www.scriptware.com (http://www.scriptware.com) an excellent program. then I thought they stop selling it and went with final draft. final draft is just as good but its the little features that made scriptware cool. gonna get it again.

[Capt Quirk]

I'd like to also chime in on Cinergy Script Editor from www.mindstarprods.com . It isn't as full featured as Celtx- no spell check or reports, but the features it does have work- unlike Celtx's pagination bugs.

[blackkeys]

I am looking for Final Draft for Mac, especially for free.

[Rogue Crew]

For some reason, you have www.simplyscripts.com in your list twice in a row.

[pepsidude32]

http://scriptbuddy.com

[myCharlie]

I'm very new to script writing. Any chance someone can post audio books and/or video tutorial links on the how to screenwrite. I'm willing to pay for the audio/video tutorial if the price is reasonable.

[Ieditshoot]

Copyright:

U.S. Copyright Office
http://www.copyright.gov/register/performing.html
Cost: $45

Writers Guild of America West
http://www.wga.org/subpage_register.aspx?id=1183
Cost: $20

Writers Guild of America East
https://www.wgaeast.org/script_reg//#
Cost: $22

Note: WGA registration doesn't provide copyright protection. For twenty-five bucks more you can protect your work at the U.S. Copyright Office.




Just finished my screenplay and I'm figuring out which of these to get. What's the point of getting the WGA's if it's not a true copyright?

[AuditoryVisuals]

For Canadian writers, add this:

Canadian Intellectual Property Office
http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/sc_mrksv/cipo/cp/cp_main-e.html
Cost: $65 CAD

It's the copyright section of the CIPO website.

[EJ Pennypacker]

Just finished my screenplay and I'm figuring out which of these to get. What's the point of getting the WGA's if it's not a true copyright?

WGA is instant registration. LoC takes time. But they are currently BEAT testing an online version.

EJ

[JJ Alexander]

Thank you Isaac. Great list and very useful.

[JJ Alexander]

First off thanks for any input.

I am a professional actor/writer living in NYC. Many years ago I was also a professional level pool player.

I am writing a script that is about racism and bigotry. The problem that I would love your help on is fairly basic but I want to make sure my judgment isn't clouded because of my closeness to the material.

My story is basicly "The Defiant Ones' (1950's Stanley Kramer Dir., Sidney Poiter, Tony Curtis) in a pool room.

My story is only 2 characters, 1 black man & 1 white man. It's 3am at the start and within minutes of the start I have an attempted robbery (with a fake gun)followed by a knock down drag out fight between the 2 characters inside a closed pool room. There is nobody else there. They wind up being locked in this place with no phones and no way to get out until 10 am later that morning. They hate each other only because of each others race but they are now a captive audience for each other.

The only thing they have in common is they are both incredible pool players. This becomes the ice breaker that starts them dealing and listening and talking and shooting pool some of the most incredible pool they have ever played and starting to understanding what its like living in the other guys shoes.

Obviously there are many details I have not included here.

My questions: 1) Should I establish the place and world and who the 2 characters are before I get to the robbery and fight? Does it seem like I am getting into the 'meat' too quickly?
Example: Is it better if the story starts 10pm earlier that night in the pool room. The 2 characters are established and seen working and playing and the atmosphere is established along with other customers etc. OR showing the 2 chars. outside the pool room going thru there day letting this lead into the main conflict and story.

Also

2) I'm concerned about only having 2 characters but that is my story. I think it is a belief that a 2 character story for film is a mistake and that there should always be more if only for variety.

Thats it. Hope this makes sense.

If you want more story details I'd be happy to give them.

[EJ Pennypacker]

JJ,

I'd delete your message and re-post it in it's own thread. This is FAQ about screenwriting.

EJ

[Edutainment]

Cinergy is more annoying than useful. I don't even think you can undo. Sometimes I can't even run it.

[karapetkov]

http://www.imsdb.com/

[myCharlie]

I'm very new to screenplay writing. I assumed there is a difference between a flashback and a scene heading, correct? Okay, so if my screenplay have a flashback, do I write the Scene Heading first and then the Flashback heading or do I just write Flashback and not the Scene Heading? What do I do in this case? Will someone give me an example how this is done?

[NickFiorentino]

Copyright:

U.S. Copyright Office
http://www.copyright.gov/register/performing.html
Cost: $45

Writers Guild of America West
http://www.wga.org/subpage_register.aspx?id=1183
Cost: $20

Writers Guild of America East
https://www.wgaeast.org/script_reg//#
Cost: $22

Note: WGA registration doesn't provide copyright protection. For twenty-five bucks more you can protect your work at the U.S. Copyright Office.



What is WGA used for if it's not for copyright protection?

[EJ Pennypacker]

What is WGA used for if it's not for copyright protection?

Registration. Different to copyright but still used in a court of law.

EJ

[jhvid]

Here is a big list of books on screenwriting from the nicholls fellowship website

http://www.oscars.org/nicholl/bibliography.html

I can't vouch for all of these books, but if someone has read all the classics and is looking for something new, this list would be a good place to start.

[themightyshrub]

I'm very new to screenplay writing. I assumed there is a difference between a flashback and a scene heading, correct? Okay, so if my screenplay have a flashback, do I write the Scene Heading first and then the Flashback heading or do I just write Flashback and not the Scene Heading? What do I do in this case? Will someone give me an example how this is done?

Best way to write it would be to put the flashback heading and then the scene heading. For example

FLASHBACK:
INT - LIVING ROOM - DAY

Or something along those lines. That's how I've always done it anyway.

[djinjis]

What do you submit when you submit a lead?

[Noiz2]

I would add Scrvener and Contour to the software and SAVE THE CAT & SAVE THE CAT goes to the Movies to the books section.

[Rogue Crew]

I will second Contour - what a great tool it is!

[Randall_Oelerich]

US Lib of Congress (LOC) Copyright Registration is now available online,
https://eco.copyright.gov/eService_enu/start.swe
much faster and simpler than by mail, and is only $35 compared to $45 by mail. I love it, have registered several screenplays online this way. No point really in using WGA anymore ($20) and given that LOC gives far superior legal protection.

[Rogue Crew]

Good find, Randall. I have already bookmarked it.

[WildTrackDave]

http://www.imsdb.com/

I learned more from reading scripts on IMSDB than I did in any screenwriting class. Great website.

[Saharanturtle]

The Oscars link no longer works, here's the new one

http://www.oscars.org/awards/nicholl/resources.html


I just read the sample script they have up there and its very informative. I think it should be one of the first things on the list and one of the first things beginners should read because its a very concise and straightforward piece that teaches a lot about formatting in a very short 12 page pdf

[aloysiuswilliams]

Another one for the list, Pre-Studio Origins..


http://store.prestudiologic.com/index.php/PS10-Origins/Pre-Production-Software-For-Industry/Pipeline-Software-And-Services/ps-product-overview-ps10.html


A powerful new scriptwriting and script management platform due for release winter 2011. Part of the Zero Inertia iterative pre-production workflow suite.


A :o)

[Saharanturtle]

I learned more from reading scripts on IMSDB than I did in any screenwriting class. Great website.

Do they have the original scripts written by the writers or are the scripts written by some random guy who watched the movie? I didn't think the original scripts were given out to the public

[KrickProductions]

Thanks to the original poster for the great resources! After I am done reading Syd Field's Screenplay novel I plan on starting to write my own short film scripts to practice.

[alex whitmer]

This online article currently copy and pastes to 90 pages. I add to it on a regular basis.

http://alexwhitmer.wordpress.com/article-creating-great-characters/

[Inprogress]

I wrote my first script (short film) with Trelby. It is just a writer with keyboard shortcuts, and I love it. It just does what it needs to, help you format your script. www.trelby.org

For me, its is like a smart typewriter. Oh, and its free, but do donate if you like it.

[vincent6805]

First off, this forum is for SCREENWRITING, not advertising. There is a specific forum to do that. Now, as for LOC, the minute you received your receipt for your registered property, it is then covered under the copyright law. You're good to go. WGA E Or West only holds it for five years, then you have to pay a re-register fee, half the original price. In the event of a dispute, they supposedly give a copy of the script , and also the project being contested, to three different writers. They supposedly do not know the other two, and then they do their report...You're better off paying 35 bucks for LOC, then you have copyright laws at your back. Again, stop advertising your music skills on this site. I'd say it actually works against you.

[FilmFriend]

I registered my first 3 scripts with the WGA. Glad I read this post about the LoC. Will definitely register them with the LoC now. Thank you for this great post!

[KrickProductions]

Most of those websites give shooting scripts not actual first written scripts. Any ideas where to get original scripts? Thanks!

[McGinty]

Found this PDF which compares all the major structures: http://www.dramatica.com/downloads/dramatica%20paradigms-0707.pdf

[The Tall Man]

Alright, I'm new to the industry. I'm preparing to write a script, what would be the best way to protect my script/screenplay? And what is the procedure is required to sell a script/screenplay? Please any reply would be appreciated.

Tall Man

[Egg Born Son]

Write (c) yourname 2012 on it. If you are really concerned someone is going to steal it mail a copy to yourself and keep it sealed. The postmark dates it. Note that ideas cannot be protected, only your actual words. Quite often when a film purchases the rights to a material it is not for the ideas, it's for the marketing potential of association with the source material.

The best way to sell a screenplay is to get an agent. You will need to put a lot of work in before you can do that. Start by writing a few scripts, read a few scripts, submit to competitions, read a few books and solicit feedback. Offer short scripts for free to amateur filmmaker's to see a couple made and get some credits. No matter how good a writer you are, if you've never written a script before it is going to take a few attempts before you get it right. The requirements of prose and scripts are very different. Think of a script more as a technical blueprint, it isn't poetry (dialogue can be). Your audience is actors, crew and production staff. They don't want to get snagged on brilliant flowery language. They just need to be able to find the parts that are relevant to them quickly and clearly. The best scripts are the ones the actors and directors can put themselves into, leave some room for interpretation. They don't want to make your film. They want a blueprint they can turn into their film.

[craigbowman]

... mail a copy to yourself and keep it sealed. The postmark dates it. ...

As has been told over and over and over and over again, DO NOT DO THIS! Worst possible thing you can do. Its not protected and won't hold up in court. PERIOD.

[Egg Born Son]

I won't disagree, that's what I was told to do in all my writing classes but that was some 20 years ago. The alternative? How is it the worst possible thing you can do? If you say it doesn't hold up I believe you but I don't see how it can make things worse. Here in Australia all you need to do is to write (c) yourname 2012 and it's protected. I've personally never done more, certainly never mailed anything to myself. The idea someone might steal a story wholesale is ludicrous to me. Ideas and plot, maybe. But neither of those things are sacrosanct.

[craigbowman]

... The idea someone might steal a story wholesale is ludicrous to me. ...

I agree with you there wholeheartedly. People only steal stuff if they can see a buck in it for them. As for the expression, "Worst possible thing you can do", its an expression, as there are a lot of things you could actually do which would likely be worse.

[The Tall Man]

Thanks for the feedback. No I haven't finished a script (don't come down on the noob now) but I will. Why I have even thought of selling screenplays/scripts is to fund a film project of mine which currently... well still writing the script lol. So I'm looking for ways to fund. I know that an entire film takes thousands of dollars to make, and the money tree seed I found in the closet hasn't sprouted yet (lol) so I'm trying to find ways to fund it. Is there any other ideas that you guys have for that?

Q: If you copyright your work (and I will if I write to sell, please I'm really new to this) I sell my copyrights as well? Or do I retain any soveriegnty over the idea at all?

Very grateful for the answers guys!

The Tall Man