DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. CENTRAL PARK - DAY
The Screenwriter strolls as runners and bikers pass by. It's -
A sweltering summer day. Tourists flock together in the shade. A jazz saxophonist -
Serenades those brave enough to enjoy the treacherous weather.
The Screenwriter flicks a quarter into the musician's upturned hat. Gives a nod. Saxophonist plays on.
THE SCREENWRITER
Today's topic - if you don't read the titles anymore - is spacing. If you've made it this far, it means you have an okay grasp on everything else. Which is great!
The Screenwriter stops to pant. They are caked in sweat and glisten like -
One of those weird vampires in the Twilight movies.
THE SCREENWRITER (CONT')
So, spacing. Most Screenwriting classes will cover this day one, so you feel all superior knowing how to format a script or whatever. But truth is... I don't care about margins and indents. I just want you guys to understand spac -
The Screenwriter runs into a jogger who's engrossed in their cellphone.
Jogger thinks nothing of it. The Screenwriter -
Gives the finger.
THE SCREENWRITER (CONT')
I swear. People need to respect space. I'm thinking about wearing a hula-hoop to remind everyone. But, back to spacing. I don't care about format, IF you can space correctly. That's why none of these chapters have any formatting besides spacing. I don't want you to worry about it!
The Screenwriter chugs water for a second. The heat is -
Unbearable. Stupid New York.
THE SCREENWRITER (CONT')
Instead, promise me you'll leave spaces so I don't have a massive hurricane of headers, blocking, parentheticals, dialogue, and cuts to try and decipher. Because I won't. That's right. If I open your script and every page is filled with a Tyrannosaurus Rex of words, I WON'T READ IT!
Tourists look at The Screenwriter. The Screenwriter gives them a look that says -
Yeah, I scream in public. Fight me.
THE SCREENWRITER (CONT')
How about we make a pact. I'll read your work if you space things out. The only thing I'll be really picky about is dialogue. It should look like this:
THE CHARACTER'S NAME WHO IS SPEAKING IN ALL CAPS
Dialogue. Blah blah blah. Don't put an extra space between the name and the dialogue. They should be snuggly together. This makes it clear what is part of your dialogue and what is part of other parts of your script like blocking, cuts, descriptions, etc.
Otherwise, I want you to try your best to make your script's blocking, character descriptions, and location descriptions as interesting as possible. If you've noticed throughout these chapters, I rarely put more than three or four sentences together when it comes to descriptions and blocking. Also, I use A DUCK TON of dashes ( - ) to break up my sentences. This is a technique to keep the reader constantly on their toes. If you put a dash at a pivotal point in your sentence, your reader stays hooked to want to read on. Their eyes will cascade down the page!! This is what you want!!! 🌟 That being said, this is where new screenwriters have the most trouble, so I will answer any questions you have. 🌟
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🎞🎥🎞This week's assignment: write me a sentence that uses a dash and correct spacing in the comments.
YOU ARE READING
Screenwriting Contest 2018 | CLOSED
Random🎥You could be the lucky winner who gets their idea turned into a film! Read this book, learn how to write a script, and submit it!🎥 🎬I'll teach you as much as I can about writing scripts. Know that any extra time you spend learning more about thi...
