As I continue to rework my writing, I am striving to create work that is worthy of the time anyone may take to read it. I found this courtesy of the screencraft.org. Do you consider any of these checkpoints when writing?
https://screencraft.org/2014/04/04/script-readers-checklist/
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DL, I emphasize 13 of the 60 questions found in ScreenCraft's "A Script Reader's Checklist:" Original concept, goal(s), stakes, protagonist obstacles, unpredictability, believability, proper format, proper spelling/punctuation, character wants/needs, and the need to make each character different.
I'm also concerned with the need to put visuals first, sounds second, and dialog third; bringing action and humor out of the characters; whether or not all scenes in a script are needed.
I worry a lot about plot...and that's where the need to be believable and unpredictable comes in.
Thanks for posting, DL!
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Some of this stuff is super obvious. But there are a few things that are fun to consider, does it pose a question, for instance.
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I have just finished writing my screenplay and I have sent it in for industry feedback, by reading these points, I've learned a screenplay shouldn't be less than 110 pages long. My screenplay is 99 pages long, so I'm 11 pages short, yikes...
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to be fair, Terry Rossio's Death to Readers article is over 20-years old. He is not bullshitting screenwriters. The guy writes franchise movies we all have seen.
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Kay, thanks for that, I feel better now :)
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I sold a feature that was nearly entirely dialogue at just over 60pgaes. it was a dense block of text. When it is finished it will be 90 to 100 mins. depending on the director and pacing.
Kay Luke That may well be. Of course , if one has never attended film school then it may be completely new to them as it was to me. I really posted this not to tell people how to create; but to help myself and others discover how to best create for ourselves and keep an eye towards the day when one or any of us option a script or find someone who wants to buy or hire us.
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Rosalind Winton As some other people here on this thread pointed out; and as I have seen many other working screenwriters point out as well; there are no hard and fast rules to selling a script. But, if reading this article helps you to find your voice and your character's voices; I am glad to share it.