The New Elements of Standard Screenplay Format

Book excerpt: The New Elements of Standard Screenplay Format is a simplified guide to the rules and uses of standard screenplay format in the computer age. After years of complaints from script readers about the abysmal format of screenplays and hundreds of conflicting books, websites, and articles of what format is, here, finally, is a definitive work on the reason why format exists and how it can be used to improve both the screenplay and the connection between writer and production. While screenplay format has not changed much since the 1930'S, the word processor and digital production breakdown software have created new challenges for the 21st century screenwriter. Format should make the script mesh seamlessly into digital production software, which only looks for correct format. Without correct format, script readers, producers, and film crews may not believe the script is professional or producible or that the writer is someone to bring onto the set. Screenplay format was developed by the film industry to better insure the work of a screenwriter would be accurately and effectively translated to film. This book simplifies these rules for the writer and explains their purpose and uses. It also weeds out those format elements which annoy readers and hinder the work of A.D.s and P.M.s prepping a script for production.