Ok, dear all, I have now fimished my spec script. 114 pages, all nicely typed up. Now, my question ist: I have read the physical format should have three wholes punched on the left. I want to get my screenplay printed and the physical form does not seem to correlate to any European industry standard. How do I get it printed properly. Or is there a different system for Europe? Does the format have a name? I’m only talking about the stuff after you print. The layout and format within are fine!
Screenwriting : Physical Format by Lukas Flemming
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If you're asking "what is the spacing of the holes on paper that is three-hole punched?".....in the U.S., the standard spacing is:
First hole - 1.25 inches from the top
Second hole - 5.5 inches from the top
Third hole - 9.75 inches from the top.
The center of the hole corresponds to the measurements, and aligns in between .25 - .50 inches from the left edge of the paper. Then we fasten with brass paper brads that are 1.5 inches long. Don't get the shorter ones - they won't make it all the way through and won't secure the script properly.
Good Luck and Happy Punching, Lukas!
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You can buy pre-punched paper but your post has raised a few questions. I'm curious as to why you want your script in a physical form, and when you say, "all nicely typed up", did you type it yourself or simply print the pdf version?
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Yup, as Bill said. A standard 3-hole punch can be found at any office supply store (online too). And your e-book version of The Screenwriter's Bible has direction as well, page 159 in the hard copy, under "The Cover, Contents, and Binding." ;) Front and back covers are blank and thicker weight, 110-pound solid-color card or index stock in light blue or beige, etc. Script is printed on one side only on regular 20-pound paper. Use no.5 (or 6) round-head brass fasteners, 1 1/4 inch in length. Only fasten the first and third punched holes. Leave the middle hole empty. :)
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For a class act in binding 3-hole punched scripts, use two solid-brass fasteners (Sometimes called "brads") with two pairs of slotted brass washers, installed over punched card-stock covers front & back. The center hole of a script is customarily left open.
The ACCO brand #71505 (1-1/4" brass fasteners) & #71511 (slotted brass washers) are high-quality and can be flattened & reused several times. The cheaper brass-toned steel substitutes are less durable.
For page counts >120, maybe use the 1-1/2" fasteners, ACCO # 71506. ACCO makes even longer "brad" fasteners, but in those cases one might beneficially use all three holes.
Keep in mind that those lengths apply only to standard 20lb. plain paper. For thicker paper, YMMV.
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It’s a farewell gift for my best friend who was the basis for most of the script and I’ll probably not see her again. So I want to do this properly. And by typed up I mean written and then printed via FD on A4 paper... thanks for all the advice! I’ll have a look for the fasteners. But I don’t reckon my local photocopy shop would know the format, would they? Is there an industry ID for that?
I’ll check out the bible tomorrow (1 a.m. here)...
You guys are awesome. Thanks for the quick replies!
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So just to be clear, to change the format from letter to A4: basically, the middle hole is in the dead middle of the page and from there the others are spaced symmetrically outward from there? Thanks guys, you’re the best.
P.S.: I found the bible’s advice rather lacking for the european market regarding the physical design... only lbs and inches and letter format...
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NB Hardcopy scripts are still an option for some smaller competitions.
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I agree with Dan "I Shoulda Bet on Villanova" MaxXx. If this is a gift to your bestie, not only should you put it in a nice leather cover, but you should also get rid of the cheap fasteners and have it glue binded or stitched instead. Local print shops here in Las Vegas charge around $10 to glue bind one single item. Don't be cheap, Lukas!
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When you say you have finished it, do you mean your first draft? Or is this your tenth draft of your first script? Because if this is your first draft of your first script, I would save save the paper and get back to re-writing. I'm not trying to be negative, but trust me on this and don't print yet. Save on a drive and disc, but don't print until you've done at least five drafts, preferable more. Good luck.
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Constance York 7th draft, 1st feature, 3rd overall... but I’m running out of time regarding the present, so I can’t go up to draft #23...
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I’ll get it bound...thanks all!
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Gotcha Lukas, great job and good luck.
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USA is 8.5 x 11 three hole punched. UK uses two hole punch with metal fastners. Don't waste time/money on covers, bounding, etc. Production companies, agencies, etc. mostly find that annoying and if they were to read/circulate they would remove it to copy it. Print on white paper if you do, though most reading is pdf on ipad in 2018.