Script Formatting Question

Dollywagon · Jul 5, 2007

I'm getting a little confused over line spacing on scripts.
On the BBC website they say you can send in a script provided you follow basic rules including double line spacing.
Yet, on the same site, it tells you to double line space certain sections and single line space areas such as dialogue.

Also most examples of scripts I look at appear to follow single line spacing, but then again that could be a trick of reading them on-screen.

Could somebody clarify because not only do I want to get it right, but also it is throwing me as to how long the script will be i.e. the 1 page = 1 minute rule?

alleycat · Jul 5, 2007

Well, it's mostly double-spaced between "elements" and single-spaced in the dialogue, parentheticals, or action blocks (although action is often broken up into "paragraphs"). The best thing to do I suppose is look at some scripts.

And I don't know what differences there are between the "Hollywood standard" and something submitted in the UK (if that's where you're submitting it). I know there's a lot of differences in stageplay format; I'm just not familiar with screenplays in the UK.

By the way, what software are you using? The BBC has a pretty good free program for scripts; there's both a US and UK version.

Dollywagon · Jul 5, 2007

Thanks Alleycat, that's mainly what I've been seeing. Yet most guidelines I read say "double line spacing," which throws all the timing out and everything ...
Most of the scripts I've looked at are the same as well - certain sections are double spaced but dialogue etc is single spaced.

I'm not using script software because my dial-up is stupidly slow and causes me lots of problems if I try and download stuff, but the Writersroom at the BEEB are quite happy to accept scripts if they are 'double line spaced.' AARRGGHH!!!

alleycat · Jul 5, 2007

Dollywagon said:
I'm not using script software because my dial-up is stupidly slow and causes me lots of problems if I try and download stuff, but the Writersroom at the BEEB are quite happy to accept scripts if they are 'double line spaced.' AARRGGHH!!!

The script software at the BBC Writer's Room is an easy download, even on a dial-up. It's really just a Word file with macros. It's very easy to use and relatively completely. I use MM Screenwriter but I also use the BBC template when I'm on another computer. It imports well into MM Screenwriter.

The only thing you might have to do if you download it is to change your macro security setting.

And, I don't know where you live, but DSL is about as cheap as dial-up now in many areas. You might think about switching.

dpaterso · Jul 5, 2007

The PDF script samples in BBC Writersroom's Script Archive. are little different from anything you'll find elsewhere.

Then again, maybe you don't actually need to worry about formatting until the time comes to actually send your script out there? I've written a couple of scripts "freehand" using Notepad, then imported 'em into a screenwriting package that dealt with formatting once they were finished. Just open your word processor or text editor and start writing!

Are you in the UK? I'm on dialup too at the moment but I can still download software -- I just walk away from my laptop and come back in an hour

. I'm thinking about changing to Tiscali which offers 1Mb speeds @ £9.99 for the first 3 months then £12.99 per month. That's cheaper than what I'm paying for AOL dialup. 20 times faster, too.

Check out the screenwriting tips sticky thread at the top of this forum which has links to screenwriting software (some free or useable in demo mode), formatting guides, hints & tips, etc.

-Derek

DanielD · Jul 5, 2007

To Dollywagon.
As Alleycat has mentioned, downloading one of the free Screenwriting formatting programs is a good move.
You have numerous options.
Either downloading templates(BBC included) which run through your word,works program ect.
You can actually set up the specific measurements yourself,following instructions from certain Screenwriting websites.
For someone new to Screenwriting(Or non professional), it's important to follow the guidelines.
I feel if I write down the measurements(spacing between elements and page set up in general) which need to be adhered to,it may make matters worse.
Simply log in "Screenplay format" in your browser's search engine.
I'm sure you'll find a nice article or two, which explain clearly what are the required formatting rules and measurements.
They are not an exact science,though they should be close to what's expected.
I set up my word program a while back,using the Formatting tool,though after downloading a couple of the free(open source)Screenwriting programs, I no longer use Word for that purpose.
You can still use word, if it's set up correctly.
Also, I have Dial up myself and had no problem downloading the free software.
Let me know how things go.
Daniel.

Dollywagon · Jul 6, 2007

Thanks to all of you for your help and advice!

Derek, I have actually started writing, it's a comedy drama serial for children. Trouble is, when I got to page 15 I realised that if I didn't have the line spacing correct, then I was either half way through or had used up all my time for the first episode!
I'm really enjoying the writing - the formatting - not!

I'm toying with trying to down load the BEEB format, but I'm up in Orkney and on part of an island where we can't get broadband and are having terrible trouble with dial-up connections. We are practically on wind-up technology! (and it's just been confirmed again this week by the powers that be that they can do nothing to help us!)

I'll do what Daniel suggests as well and put Screenplay Format into the search engine and see what I come up with.

Problems, problems, and all I want to do is get on with the writing:-(

dpaterso · Jul 6, 2007

Sympathies are extended.

We've got broadband issues in our area too, some companies say they can't do it, others want to charge an extra fee since there's apparently additional effort involved. But obviously nothing as bad as you, perched up there on the edge of the world!

Any time you want a sanity check, email me your script file and I'll import it into Movie Magic Screenwriter (only takes a few seconds) and send you a PDF back so you'll see what you've got in real terms.

Oh, BBC Writersroom has format samples too, check out the script formats page. This link and many others are all in our screenwriting tips thread.

-Derek

Dollywagon · Jul 6, 2007

Thanks Derek!
I think what I'll do at the minute is keep going with the writing, since the muse is sat on my shoulder tapping on my head, and then try and make the format as 'correct' as possible before returning to you lot in a confused and miserable panic!

alleycat · Jul 6, 2007

Dollywagon, would it help if the download was sent in an e-mail?

Dollywagon · Jul 6, 2007

I honestly don't know, AC.
It's just that I tend to avoid downloads like the plague because, for example, it's just taken me 13 minutes to get into AW, onto this thread and to post a reply - that's if it lets me!
Whatever happens, writing and formatting is amendable. I can juggle and fix to suit submission guidelines

alleycat · Jul 6, 2007

Thirteen minutes? Gee, you do have a problem. That's not dial-up . . . that telegraph. ;-)

Well, if you ever want to try the BBC software, send me a PM with your e-mail address and we can try that. It comes as a zip file and it's not all that large. It would make life a little easier for you; but as you said, you can always fix it later. And if you go to one of the main screenwriting programs you can often import what you've done in Word and they do a fairly good job of reformatting it.

scripter1 · Jul 6, 2007

DW,

The line spacing is actually quite simple.
It just sounds weird the way it's described in articles or books.

As an example, the above lines are SINGLE spaced.

These lines are DOUBLE spaced, leaving 1 white space between.

The space above is TRIPLE spaced, leaving 2 empty spaces between lines.

SO, using that, the standard script would look like this.

*****

FADE IN
(double spaced)
INT. KITCHEN - DAY
(double spaced)
Scripter sits in front of her computer. Sounds of kids slurping ceral and spilling milk
come from the dining room. (single spaced)

SHILOH
Mom! Stratton spilled his milk.
Again! (single space)
(double space)
STRATTON
Mom! She's tattling me.

SCRIPTER
Let's not cry over spilt milk.

SHILOH
Ahhh! It's running into my lap!

Scripter groans, rubs her eyes.

EXT. HOUSE - DAY

A UPS truck pulls into the driveway. The BROWN MAN loads three large boxes
onto his dolly, trundels them up to the front porch.

INT. HOUSE - DINING ROOM - DAY

DING DONG!
Chairs tobble as kids rush for the door.
Shiloh cuts Stratton off.
He grabs her waist, they crash to the floor. (single space)
(double space)
Stratton climbs over her, makes it to the door.

******

Hope that helps.

NikeeGoddess · Jul 6, 2007

ignore this:

scripter - you're an expert on BBC submission standards now?

OK - AS YOU WERE!

scripter1 · Jul 6, 2007

Get off your high horse

Nikee.
I just gave an example of line spacing.
I don't know diddly squat about BBC format, but a double space is a double space and a single space is a single space.

Dollywagon · Jul 6, 2007

No, no. I understand the difference between single/double spacing etc. What I don't understand is that the guidelines state scripts should be double spaced and then when you view their examples some parts of it are single and others double, as in ScriptWriters example.

scripter1 · Jul 6, 2007

Um, I would think

that if the scripts were single spaced, and LOOKED like they were single spaced then they would be one solid block, all mashed together.
Not good.

SOMETIMES when people say single spaced, they are actually talking about the ONE SINGLE SPACE between the sentences, the result of hitting
enter
twice.

Which, er, is actually double spacing.
Hence the confusion.

I looked at the BBC scripts D linked to and those follow a Double Space AFTER slugs and action/description blocks, with SINGLE spacing used in the blocks themselves.
THEN they switch to a TRIPLE Spacing when transitioning, or altering scene.

Those scripts don't look unusual to me at all.

scripter1 · Jul 6, 2007

Having looked over the site

more throughly I have concluded that the way the format description is written is confusing.
It would have helped if they had been a little more detailed.

I think when they say Double Spaced, they mean with white spaces between the various blocks.

Dollywagon · Jul 6, 2007

I wonder if that is what they do mean?

Maybe it's me reading too much into their description. I'm used to writing articles and stories that are double line spaced throughout, so double line spacing is exactly that.

Just like me, to cause havoc and confusion wherever I go ...

Maryn · Jul 7, 2007

Off to the side just a bit...

Does satellite internet work all over the world? Where we live, we finally got cable high-speed internet after more than five years of DSL companies flat-out lying to us about when their service would reach us, but satellites sit on many of the roofs in the area.

Compared to hard-wired, I hear satellite has some glitches, but it sounds vastly better than what Dollywagon's got now.

Never mind, back to the spacing discussion: I interpret their double-spacing rule to be that you double space when you're supposed to rather than turning the whole thing single-spaced to cram a 3 hour movie into 90 pages. The page-per-minute average only works out when you follow standard format and font, right?

Maryn, sinking back into lurk mode :e2drown:

scripter1 · Jul 7, 2007

Re Spacing

Yes Maryn, I think that's it.

Dollywagon · Jul 7, 2007

Yes, it does look as if that is right, Maryn.

I did actually take Derek up on his offer to put it into format, but I'd already copied the format from one of the BEEB scripts simply by printing a couple of pages out.
Derek agrees that it seems to be right and when I time it out it does come in at roughly a page per minute.

I was just reading too much into the 'double spacing' thing, quite possibly because I was just used to interpreting double spacing as meaning throughout the document.

With regard to the internet connection - I honestly don't know. We have got cable on the majority of the island here, but when it comes to us at the top end apparently they just can't manage it. I don't know much about it, but always get the sneaky feeling that maybe it just isn't worth the bother of them putting it in?

DanielD · Jul 7, 2007

To DollyWagon.
As the other ladies and gentlemen have stated,the elements have a particular format.
What Maryn said, in reference to the Minute per page rule being behind the spacing requirements, sounds right on the money.
Also, note: that the ACTION and DIALOGUE passages are centered on the page allowing ample white space either side.
They are kept within their required spacings.
If you do manage to access a Screenwriting software program(Free of course),you will see how easily all your required measurements are handled for you.
When I first saw a Screenplay in it's proper format, I was equally baffled.
After a little trial and error, I've began to see how simple it can be, if we follow the guidelines.
As Dpat has said,we tend to complicate the simple things.
Daniel.

Dollywagon · Jul 13, 2007

Just to say a quick "Thank You," to all that helped me figure out the correct way to format my script. - Although I may be back in the not too distant future with questions about formatting for radio

Anyhow, it's gone out, so now just keeping my fingers crossed that it gets a full reading. I'll be gutted if they don't get further than the first ten pages ... please, please, please, let it be interesting enough to get to the end ... please!

DanielD · Jul 14, 2007

To Dollywagon.
Good luck.
I hope you have great success.
Daniel.

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