Numbering scenes in screenplay or not?

Pilote · Jun 8, 2009

I've started writing a screenplay and have been using numbers for the scenes. I find it helps me. I was just reading a book entitled The Complete Guide to Standard Script Formats and the author says it's best not to number. Apparently the numbering only occurs towards the final stages of the script after it's sold and been revised x number of times. Any thoughts on that?
I'm also having a lot of problems with formatting, in general, the font I've been using is too big, when I center what the characters are saying the whole thing gets centered etc...you get the idea. I don't want to neglect the writing and replace it with excellent formatting.
I downloaded the suggested program on here CELTX but not sure how to use it since I've already started typing it in Office.org.
Thanks.

mario_c · Jun 8, 2009

Not. If it works for your first draft, fine, but it's considered shooting script rules and not spec. Consult Trottier's Screenwriters Bible for the in depth rulebook on format.
By the suggested program, do you mean celtx? I hope so. Please don't use a standard word processor (Open Office, M$ Word etc). There's an Import function but generally I've copy / pasted old shiite into celtx with little problems - this is instances where it has to be heavily overhauled anyway, which is true for any first draft.

curious1980 · Jun 8, 2009

I was told that numbering scenes are only done when the screenplay goes into production. Therefore, there's no need to do it when writing or submitting it. Since it's helping you keep track of things I say number while writing, then go back and take the numbers away. I'm not sure...but if you try to submit the screenplay with the scenes numbered...it might get turned down immediately. Here's a link to help you with formatting: http://filmschoolonline.com/sample_lessons/sample_lesson_format.htm

Kosh · Jun 9, 2009

Pilote said:
I've started writing a screenplay and have been using numbers for the scenes. I find it helps me. I was just reading a book entitled The Complete Guide to Standard Script Formats and the author says it's best not to number. Apparently the numbering only occurs towards the final stages of the script after it's sold and been revised x number of times. Any thoughts on that?
I'm also having a lot of problems with formatting, in general, the font I've been using is too big, when I center what the characters are saying the whole thing gets centered etc...you get the idea. I don't want to neglect the writing and replace it with excellent formatting.
I downloaded the suggested program on here CELTX but not sure how to use it since I've already started typing it in Office.org.
Thanks.

What you read was right. You might want to, as someone suggested, pick up The Screenwriter's Bible. Or, you can go to the Share Your Work section of this messageboard and check out which script samples receive good feedback. There's a specific style used when writing spec scripts (scripts you write and try to sell) which is different from many of the scripts available to be read.

killbox · Jun 9, 2009

Looks like you got all the answers already but yeah, you should be able to just copy and paste into CeltX. I have never used the program, but if it works at all like FD, should only need very minor tweaking after pasting it. I remember from the Ye Olde days of transfering original scripts from Word to Final Draft. Was surprised how easy it was.

The process has most likely only gotten better.

nmstevens · Jun 9, 2009

Pilote said:
I've started writing a screenplay and have been using numbers for the scenes. I find it helps me. I was just reading a book entitled The Complete Guide to Standard Script Formats and the author says it's best not to number. Apparently the numbering only occurs towards the final stages of the script after it's sold and been revised x number of times. Any thoughts on that?
I'm also having a lot of problems with formatting, in general, the font I've been using is too big, when I center what the characters are saying the whole thing gets centered etc...you get the idea. I don't want to neglect the writing and replace it with excellent formatting.
I downloaded the suggested program on here CELTX but not sure how to use it since I've already started typing it in Office.org.
Thanks.

Well, if you find it personally helpful while you're writing to put numbers on the scenes, you can go ahead and do it -- you can do whatever you want, for yourself, while you're writing. You can write the script in longhand on a yellow pad if that's how you like to do it.

Just don't submit the handwritten yellow sheets.

And don't ever submit a script with scene numbers include. That is strictly for production and the presence of scene numbers on a spec script are going to seriously confuse everybody.

NMS

Hang of Thursdays · Jun 10, 2009

You'll probably have to delete the scene numbers manually this time -- when you copy the script into Celtx -- but it's worth noting that once it's in, you can add/remove scene numbers with one click.

And do learn to use Celtx. It's super-easy to learn and will save you so many headaches, now and in the future. If you need any help IM me on AIM @ evanthebarbarian and I can guide you through the basics. Though the Celtx website probably has a walkthrough that'll serve you much more than I can.

Pilote · Jun 10, 2009

Thanks for all the helpful comments. I'm now writing my screenplay in Celtx and it doesn't use numbers in the body itself so that solves the problem. I had a heck of a time transferring it from office.org to Celtx. It was all garbled and then my original 35 pages in office became corrupted.
It wasn't pretty but I'm back on track now so merci beaucoup.

Writer2011 · Jun 10, 2009

I don't use scene numbers at all..and right now I'm working on a screenplay via Scene Writer Pro---you work on individual scenes and also gives you a run-time, not accurate mind you but gives you an idea.

zeprosnepsid · Jun 11, 2009

I always number my scenes after the first draft because it's easier for me to keep track of when I'm re-writing.

But then I of course take them off before I submit it. (Sometimes I forget to take them off before showing them to friends to read and they get on my case about it!)

In Final Draft it's really easy to add and remove Scene Numbers. I don't know about Celtx tho.

Numbering scenes in screenplay or not?

Pilote

mario_c

Your thoughts are not real...

curious1980

Kosh

Will Write for Food

killbox

More often than not...

nmstevens

What happened?

Hang of Thursdays

useless info sponge

Pilote

Writer2011

zeprosnepsid