Fonts. They are amazing and wonderfully creative, however... only one will do when writing screenplays. Courier 12-point font. It is the default if you use Final Draft. (Which, btw, they just released FD 11 and are running a sale!) Why is Courier the chosen default? As Dr. Format (Dave Trottier) explains "It is a non-proportional font or fixed-pitch (fixed-width) font. Each character is the same with. Choose any 10 characters in this font, and they will measure one inch in width." Makes sense right? Try it out. Use a Word document and type 1234567890 in Courier. Measure, then do it in Veranda or Tahoma. Maybe even Times New Roman. What do you get?
On to paper! What? Scripts are still printed and three-hole punched. They are bound with brads. (No. 5 round-head brass fasteners, 1 1/4" in length. Acco is what I use. I have a box of them from Staples but they aren't as sturdy IMO. Why are scripts bound this way? To make it easier to put in revised pages as well as to make photocopies. (Scripts get out on the 'Net some how, right?) Why should you worry about margins, line spacing, tabs, etc.? In the event that you need to use Word or if you haven't got access to the internet or screenwriting software. Left margin 1.5" (This is the side where your holes will be punched.) Right margin 1" Tabs: Left margin at 15 spaces from the left of the page Dialogue at 25 spaces (10 spaces from the left margin. Do not extend beyond 65 spaces from the left edge. -No wider than 4 inches.) Actor's instructions (action) 31 spaces (16 spaces from the left margin.) Character's name at 37 (22 spaces from the left margin) Please note (if you like justifying your margins... Don't! leave it ragged.) Line spacing (since we're already here) A script page should contain about 54 to 55 lines. Not including the page number or the line after the page number. I do hope you found this helpful!
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These posts were from the Writers Room in the Legion M Forum. "Screenwriting 101" is written by Nikki Ackerman. Don't know what Legion M is? It's the world's first fan-owned entertainment company. Want to know more? Visit Legion M at legionm.com Archives
January 2021
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