Are there ANY examples out there for the currently desired SPEC script- I cannot find any. I naively thought by not writing any camera directions: the POVs, cut to's and continues (which are annoying to me anyway) that a story flows better. Now I am understanding that after the SCENE Header, all character actions are condensed to a paragraph and then all the scene's dialog follows like one big run-on without character actions in between. Does anyone agree or disagree?
Screenwriting : SPEC SCRIPT format by Olga Alexandra "Regina" Doi-Kollegger
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Agree with the first part. The second is new to me and seems nonsensical.
Never heard of the second part at all! In ANY script (except maybe one by Quentin Tarintino but who is going to tell him he can't write like that!)
Just download and read scripts. You will see that , as the saying goes, rules are made to be broken.
Go buy the screenwriters bible.
I disagree
At some point you'll need a proper formatting program. The top two seem to be Final Draft and Movie Magic Screenwriter. There are others out there and this is not a paid endorsement. I use Movie Magic for my work. Last year I learned Vancouver Film School uses Final Draft. Things like CUT TO and REVERSE ANGLE are camera directions, best left for shooting scripts. Spec scripts usually don't have them but most screenplays you'll find online are shooting scripts. Regardless, when you read a script notice that scene description, action and dialogue rarely exceed four lines. Large chunks of writing are harder to read.
And...you can check out my Mating With Humans screenplay here on Stage 32. (It's science fiction.) There are probably a lot of spec scripts right here if you go through screenwriters who have posted their work.
Hi Regina. As a pro script consultant for over a decade, I agree with Bix. Read some of the major texts on the subject rather than getting random (and often completely wrong) advice on here. I'm happy to help if you'd like to message me.
Regina, Here is a link to a quick starter guide on screenplay formatting: http://2012.scriptfrenzy.org/howtoformatascreenplay
And here's a link to where you can find copies of actual PDF copies of movie scripts, etc., for FREE! http://www.script-o-rama.com/snazzy/dircut.html It's easy to check what other writers have done, rather than listen to someone who may not know or who wants to make money from you. PS: Only download the script PDFs unless you are sure of what the other software does.
By the way, it is my understanding that, most of the time, the action is located near the dialogue where it takes place. You should set the scene first, right under the "slugline". (See the screenplay format guide above.)
Also, you don't need to buy Final Draft right now. I'll send you a message telling how to avoid that until you are ready to put out the cash (about $200 on sale now for version 9, unless you are either upgrading or are a student).
I agree with what James has said in the above posts, but be aware when copying produced scripts from such sites as script-o-rama. These undoubtedly will be SHOOTING DRAFTS and not READING or SPEC DRAFTS. Agents and production execs do not want to receive a shooting draft from you. All the best.
Nevertheless, they are still good for learning how other working (and paid!) writers format their scripts.
And here is a list which I believe has over 30 scripts; some are shooting (final) scripts, but I don't think they all are: http://www.bluecatscreenplay.com/uncategorized/the-2013-awards-season-sc...
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Again, the purpose in looking at such scripts is to find examples of how the basic items (sluglines, action, dialogue, character lines, etc.) are used.
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In simply scripts you can find unproduced scripts.
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Well, seems everyone has been pretty accurate. Yes you can cut out all those pesky camera directions or camera transitions between scenes unless they are REALLY necessary to understand a visual element of the scene. It's OK to say "WE SEE" as long as you're not using it in every scene. But anyone who is telling you to condense all action into one single paragraph and not break up dialogue is certainly not a professional. That is very incorrect and will make your scripts confusing and more novelistic. As a leading script consultant and executive before that, I'm happy too help if you need some. You can find all my info in my profile. Good luck!