Merely pasting an excerpt of your screenplay will make for a difficult read. This is due to a loss of proper formatting when pasting to a text box. While MWC does not require exact formatting for posted screenplays, many members will pass on reviewing a piece with no recognizable arrangement.
It has been said one should be able to read a script vertically. This cannot be done when the headings, narrative descriptions, and dialogue are a wall of text.
Example I
int. bedroom - morning
From the door, Joe watches Jenny sleep. He glances at the clock and shakes his head, then cartwheels across the room and crashes on the bed.
Jenny’s arms windmill as she flies through the air. Her screech is cut short when she slams against the floor.
Joe scrambles across the bed.
Joe
Are you okay? I’m--
Example II
INT. BEDROOM - MORNING
From the door, Joe watches Jenny sleep. He glances at the clock and shakes his head, then cartwheels across the room and crashes on the bed.
Jenny’s arms windmill as she flies through the air. Her screech is cut short when she slams against the floor.
Joe scrambles across the bed.
JOE
Are you okay? I’m--
The lack of space in Example I slows the read down. This practice often causes confusion, too.
Instead of leaving the heading, narrative description, and dialogue a wall of text, place a blank line between each part. Blank lines in the narrative description, when applicable, as demonstrated in Example II, are also suggested.
ALL CAPS signify certain things in a screenplay. Do use them. They make for an easier read and allow reviewers to focus on other areas.
-When you see JOE, you know what follows is Joe's dialogue.
-Using Joe and Jenny in the narrative description, instead of JOE and JENNY, indicate they were introduced in a previous scene. Had they not been introduced as circus gymnasts in a previous scene--stay with me, I'm using my imagination here--you might question Joe cartwheeling across the bedroom.
Please apply these minimum formatting suggestions when posting a section of your screenplay. Of course, you’re welcome to follow stricter formatting rules, such as indenting dialogue cues and dialogue. Doing so will be greatly appreciated.
Pre-Posting (do yourself a favor)
Read and comment on at least three other posts. Not only are members likely to return the favor, but you will learn how to improve and present your work.
