A few tips for contest entrants
(and not just this contest)
((a work in progress))
AVOID TYPOS: sounds pretty simple, eh? proof-read then have someone ELSE proof-read
too But it never fails, close to 75% of the scripts I get have silly typos. plus, watch out for
things that spellcheck won't catch. there, their, they're. were, where, we're. then, than.
your, you're.
AVOID OTHER SILLY MISTAKES: this would be crazy page numbering, blank pages, bad
copy quality (actually got one entry that looked like it was copied via a FAX machine)
also, triple check your ENTIRE script if you ever change a character's name. can't TELL you
how many times I've found an old name used in a few places, confuses the hell out of the
reader, brings us out of the "moment"
FOLLOW THE INDUSTRY STANDARD: again, simple. to borrow the quote, "learn it, live
it, love it" and just FOLLOW IT. white paper, single sided printing, brass brad
bindings...simple, simple, simple. no crazy fonts, no triple (or more) spacing, no fancy
covers/binders. there are reasons that these are the standards.
CHARACTER/LOCATION INTROS: there's a great skit that was on Carol Burnett Show
where the characters try to keep up with the changes in the writer's mind. that happens to the
readers as well. you have an unfair advantage, you eat/sleep/live/breathe this story, you
mumble character backstories in your sleep (yup, you do) BUT, the reader ONLY knows what
YOU tell us. If it's vital to the story for the hero to have a tattoo or a ponytail, tell us they have
it. if there's something in the room that comes into play later, TELL US!! BUT, the proper
place to do this is when you FIRST set up that character or location.
perfect example, I read a decent script that was actually a sequel to another decent script. on
page 62 of the sequel,....now let this sink in, 2/3rds the way through the SECOND script, the
writer finally lets us in on the little fact that the heroine is Latina. gone, gone was the blonde
haired/blue eyed heroine that I had been following for the last 152 pages. <sniff> she will be
missed. :D
so, make sure to give us ENOUGH info, but not too much. only the vital stats. and only what
we'd see on-screen too. don't tell in the intro that someone's afraid of spiders, show us but
only if it advances the plot.
KEEP IT SIMPLE: a script is supposed to be an outline, not prose. again, only the vital info
is needed. if it doesn't matter what city it's set in (or filmed in) don't place it in New York. if
it doesn't matter how the weather is, don't say it's snowing. same thing with WHEN it's set,
I've seen lord knows how many scripts set in the 70's or ?? for no apparent reason. sure,
those things can be fixed in re-writes, but why put them in in the first place?? but IF, and only
IF, it is crucial to the plot, then put it in, but know that most readers are figuring up potental
BUDGETS as they read, and most things "specific" cost MORE.
and don't make me dust off my dictionary to look up some flowery word you just learned, and
don't make me ridicule you behind your back if you mis-use it. my favorite story about this
was when someone wrote that some thugs bust into a scene...presumably, they meant to say
they were "brandishing" guns...but wrote "relinquishing"...so they bust in and throw down their
weapons??? :D
KEEP IT REAL: even if it's sci-fi or fantasy, there are particular rules to follow. do the
research, know what you're writing about. establish the rules and stick to them, don't switch
halfway. don't have a regular person deadlift a half-ton over their head.
(and not just this contest)
((a work in progress))
AVOID TYPOS: sounds pretty simple, eh? proof-read then have someone ELSE proof-read
too But it never fails, close to 75% of the scripts I get have silly typos. plus, watch out for
things that spellcheck won't catch. there, their, they're. were, where, we're. then, than.
your, you're.
AVOID OTHER SILLY MISTAKES: this would be crazy page numbering, blank pages, bad
copy quality (actually got one entry that looked like it was copied via a FAX machine)
also, triple check your ENTIRE script if you ever change a character's name. can't TELL you
how many times I've found an old name used in a few places, confuses the hell out of the
reader, brings us out of the "moment"
FOLLOW THE INDUSTRY STANDARD: again, simple. to borrow the quote, "learn it, live
it, love it" and just FOLLOW IT. white paper, single sided printing, brass brad
bindings...simple, simple, simple. no crazy fonts, no triple (or more) spacing, no fancy
covers/binders. there are reasons that these are the standards.
CHARACTER/LOCATION INTROS: there's a great skit that was on Carol Burnett Show
where the characters try to keep up with the changes in the writer's mind. that happens to the
readers as well. you have an unfair advantage, you eat/sleep/live/breathe this story, you
mumble character backstories in your sleep (yup, you do) BUT, the reader ONLY knows what
YOU tell us. If it's vital to the story for the hero to have a tattoo or a ponytail, tell us they have
it. if there's something in the room that comes into play later, TELL US!! BUT, the proper
place to do this is when you FIRST set up that character or location.
perfect example, I read a decent script that was actually a sequel to another decent script. on
page 62 of the sequel,....now let this sink in, 2/3rds the way through the SECOND script, the
writer finally lets us in on the little fact that the heroine is Latina. gone, gone was the blonde
haired/blue eyed heroine that I had been following for the last 152 pages. <sniff> she will be
missed. :D
so, make sure to give us ENOUGH info, but not too much. only the vital stats. and only what
we'd see on-screen too. don't tell in the intro that someone's afraid of spiders, show us but
only if it advances the plot.
KEEP IT SIMPLE: a script is supposed to be an outline, not prose. again, only the vital info
is needed. if it doesn't matter what city it's set in (or filmed in) don't place it in New York. if
it doesn't matter how the weather is, don't say it's snowing. same thing with WHEN it's set,
I've seen lord knows how many scripts set in the 70's or ?? for no apparent reason. sure,
those things can be fixed in re-writes, but why put them in in the first place?? but IF, and only
IF, it is crucial to the plot, then put it in, but know that most readers are figuring up potental
BUDGETS as they read, and most things "specific" cost MORE.
and don't make me dust off my dictionary to look up some flowery word you just learned, and
don't make me ridicule you behind your back if you mis-use it. my favorite story about this
was when someone wrote that some thugs bust into a scene...presumably, they meant to say
they were "brandishing" guns...but wrote "relinquishing"...so they bust in and throw down their
weapons??? :D
KEEP IT REAL: even if it's sci-fi or fantasy, there are particular rules to follow. do the
research, know what you're writing about. establish the rules and stick to them, don't switch
halfway. don't have a regular person deadlift a half-ton over their head.
The Writing Initiative
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