So
what is the section you may ask. This is where everyone can come to ask
questions and hopefully
we can supply you with the right answers, or at least help you out a little.
This part of the page doesn't
necessarily revolve around screenplays, but all formats of writing. Writers
block? Maybe we can help
you out. Best of all it's free advice, not that "script doctor pay shit".
True, we may not be "in" the industry,
BUT have you ever seen a credit thanking someone for helping them work
on their script??? No. And besides,
if the other "script doctors" are so good, then why aren't they writing
scripts that are being made??? Anyway,
onto what you came in the door for.
SCREENWRITTING PROGRAMS AND TEMPLATES.
Personally, we think that screenwritting programs are a waste of time and
money. You'll go out a spent
at least $100.00 on a program that will take you six months to learn and
really do nothing for you. Remember,
it was only about ten years ago that wrote screenplays on typewriters.
On the issue on templates for word processing programs, that's really your
decision. I know some people
that use them, but I prefer to use just the word processor on it's own.
A lot of people choose to do this, one
of them being Kevin Smith. But if you find a template you like and it helps
you, then use it. Go to:
http://www.filmmaker.com/files.html (part of the Filmmaker.com web site.)
for a list of free templates. Most of them are for MSWord 6 and/or 7.
HOW TO WRITE A SCREENPLAY IN MSWORD 6 OR 7.
This is how I write my screenplays. I find the process less aggravating
and more easygoing. It's quite
easy once you know what your doing. Here is how elektrik coma screenplays
are formatted in Word.
First and foremost, the font. It is considered "industry standard" to write
a screenplay in Courier font
in 12pt. It should look like this.
Now that is a given, I've never seen or seriously
considered a screenplay not written in this format. Courier is straight
foreword and easier to read.
The TAB key will become your best friend. It is what you will use to make
indention's and the such.
For instance, character names. A character name should be indented so it
is in the middle of the page.
EXAMPLE:
CLYDE
Now the proper format for Clyde's dialogue should be placed like this:
CLYDE
Well damn. That wasn't so hard
now was it. Notice how the
sentences aren't too long, so
that you know that it's me
talking.
To
put Clyde's dialogue in the middle of the page you TAB over FIVE times.
For Clyde's dialogue
TAB over THREE times. For a scene transaction ( i.e. fade into: dissolve
into: ) TAB over EIGHT
times, then space over until you are at the end of the page. To place something
like: BEAT, CONT'D,
MORE, etc... TAB over FIVE times and place it evenly under the character
name. For SCENE ACTION
or SCENE DESCRIPTION use NO TABS. In the end it should look like this:
CLYDE
(beat)
See, now we have a "proper" screenplay
setup. Even though sometimes you
have to go out a little, like the
above word screenplay. It's not
(pause)
considered "professional" to cut words
in half.
CUT TO:
2. INT. CLYDES BEDROOM -- NIGHT 2.
Scene numbers are
usually put in during the pre-production stage
and you shouldn't
bother with them until you have to. But to each
his own I guess.
DISSOLVE INTO:
3. INT. CLYDES BATHROOM -- NIGHT 3.
CLYDE
Once you get used to it, it's
as easy as pie. So go on ahead
and try it.
That's
basically all you need to know. There's not much more to it. Give it a
try and see what you can do.
Good Luck with those scripts!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THE ELEKTRIK COMA SCREENPLAY POLICY
Elektrik Coma Filmworks believes
firmly in the spirit and the art of truly independent filmmaking. It's
hard
to find someone who will
bend over backwards to help you out, so we decided we would be the ones
to
do that. Like mentioned
before, there are people out there who call themselves "script doctors".
You send
them your script a pretty
large amount of cash and they'll send you back a whole bunch of crap on
how
to improve your screenplay,
or how to make it more "Hollywood". Well fuck Hollywood, cause this ain't
Hollywood. Elektrik Coma
Filmworks will read and critique your scripts FOR FREE. No bullshit fees,
no nothing. Send us your
script, via snail mail, e-mail, whatever and it will be read and sent back
to you
with notes and other stuff
within two weeks. (this depends on how many scripts we get) But we GUARANTEE
that your script will be
read and critiqued. You may not agree with us, but it's always good to
have an outsiders
opinion. What was that?
Did you say something about a copyright? No need to worry! Elektrik Coma
Filmworks
will respect your screenplays
copyright. You screenplay will not be duplicated in any way, means, shape
or
form, unless you want us
too that is. We have no way of putting this down legally, this being the
internet, but I
guess it all depends on
trust. Worse case senaro? We steal your script, make it, you find out; sue
our asses off.
We don't have the balls,
money, or greed to sink to that level.
E-mail address for screenplays: mfritts@vnet.net
Snail mail address for screenplays:
elektrik coma filmworks
Department 6
7711 Surreywood Place
Charlotte, North Carolina
28270
For more information, e-mail
us here: elektrikcoma@juno.com
INFORMATION
If you have any information
that you would like to add to this page E-MAIL
it to us and we'll slap it on up
here!