There is no hard and fast rule to format an on-screen countdown clock. As with all general formatting advice, your goal is to express your idea clearly and simply, without taking the reader out of the scene. Any way you can accomplish that is acceptable. Your first instinct may be to mark each appearance of […]
Are scenes that take place in cars INT. or EXT.?
Car scenes often use camera placements that are both INT. and EXT., so INT./EXT. is usually appropriate for their scene headers. INT./EXT. STEVE BLACK’S CADILLAC – DAY [DRIVING] This is not a hard and fast rule. If your scene is obviously either INT. or EXT., use it. For example, if you have a movie about […]
How short can my screenplay be?
Generally speaking, as a novice your spec scripts should be between 110 and 120 pages. The rule of thumb with screenplays is that one page equals one minute of screen time. Of course, this is not an exact science, nor do all movies run between 110 and 120 minutes, but keeping your screenplays in this […]
How long should a screenplay be?
There is no set page count for how long a feature screenplay should be, but generally speaking, your spec scripts should be between 110 and 120 pages. The rule of thumb with screenplays is that one page equals one minute of screen time. Of course, this is not an exact science, nor do all movies […]
What is sweepstakes pitching?
Sweepstakes pitching (also know as a “bake-off”) is when a studio or producer brings in many different screenwriters to pitch on the same project before deciding which one to hire (“the winner”). In most cases, sweepstakes pitching occurs when the studio owns a licensed property — such as a character or board game — for […]
Can you include emotion or other “unshootable” elements in your screenplay?
In general and if used judiciously, yes. If including something like emotion gives your screenplay flavor and helps paint a better picture of your character or scene, include it. But keep in mind that while it may help the reader, the viewer can’t see “happy;” you have to express that through the actions and dialogue […]