"Streamlining Your Script: Tips for Writing Effortlessly Readable Prose"

"Streamlining Your Script: Tips for Writing Effortlessly Readable Prose"

After 10 years of operation, we have found producers (or script readers) often take certain steps before reading a script. Firstly, they check the page length, and many time scripts over 100 pages long are seen as a red flag, as it can be challenging to fund a film over 1 1/2 hours long. Secondly, they randomly flip through the script to see if it's formatted correctly, as a script that doesn't follow industry standards is not taken seriously. Lastly, they check for white space, as a script with a lot of it is easier and quicker to read, indicating that the writer understands the craft.

As a screenwriter, it's essential to keep in mind that producers want to love your script, but it's up to you to make it an easy and enjoyable read. The goal is to mitigate the difference between watching a film and reading a screenplay, and the key to achieving this is speed. The faster a script reader's eyes move down the page, the quicker they can visualize the story and have a cinematic experience. To achieve this, it's crucial to reduce text density or the number of words on the page, while still conveying the necessary information vividly and powerfully.

The first mission for any screenwriter is not to learn the technical aspects of writing, such as structure or dialogue, but to learn how to convey more with fewer words. By doing this, you can create a script that is not only understood but also entertains the reader. The script reader is your first audience, and if they are not entertained, the viewing audience won't be either. Practice is key, and any piece of prose text can be used as a classroom to learn how to convey more with fewer words.

For example, a scene heading and action line in a screenplay can convey everything clearly, but imagine an entire script written in that same style. It's important to find a balance between vividly conveying the story and keeping it concise, with plenty of white space to create an enjoyable read. By doing this, you increase the likelihood of your script being read and loved by producers, and ultimately, getting made into a film.

-- From your friendly friends at Screenwriting Staffing [www.screenwritingstaffing.com]