Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Formatting


This isn't exactly what we discussed, but it is near as Hamish. And here's their explanations:
Formatting Rules


DO NOT use any font other than a medium-weight Courier, true monospaced, at 10 characters per inch (12 point). PERIOD! Need a GOOD font? Go to Downloads under the Main Menu at the left, then click on Download Fonts and download HP's Dark Courier font for FREE.

DO NOT center character names. They line up 3.5" from the left edge of the paper.

DO NOT hyphenate dialogue.

DO NOT use justification.

DO NOT put character names in scene sluglines if you can possibly help it.

Single-space within paragraphs of action descriptions, dialogue, and between the character's and dialogue ... and double-space between these same paragraphs.

Double-space between scenes unless you're trying to "squeeze" a little to reduce the page count. You CAN use single blank lines before inserting a slugline, but it looks a little better to have two blank lines.

Voice Over (V.O.) following the character name means someone NOT in the scene is speaking to the audience.

Off Screen (O.S.) following the character name means this character IS in the scene, but not visible to the audience.

CUT TO: transitions are seldom used any more in submission scripts as it just makes it harder to read. In other words, it's like a "speed bump" to the reader. Eliminate reader speed bumps!

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