#selling script

Hey Anon,

It’s possible but since you’re on anon I don’t know if I got yours. It’s been a hectic few weeks for me so I haven’t gotten a chance to really look over my email, much less answer them. I’m making my way through some scripts now so hopefully you’ll get a response this week.

As for mother! there are a few reasons it’s not 100% properly formatted. The first, of course, is it’s Darren Aronofsky, an established and very accomplished filmmaker (who is directing the same script he wrote). Therefore, he’s got more leeway than writers first starting out. He also opens the script purposefully not letting us know where we are, hence sluglines such as “FIRE” and “WHITE.” These are often acceptable when writing and purposefully putting the film in a sort of unknown space or time and, when executed properly, can have a really great effect. Finally, his script takes place all in one location - a house to be specific - thus there is no need for INT/EXT. Stylistically, the absence of DAY/NIGHT gives a sense of timelessness to the script, which is also creative way to evoke emotion.

Finally, there’s a difference between a selling script and a shooting script. Selling scripts take more liberties with format, but once the script is sold, it’s reformatted into a shooting script, with all the exact formatting so the script can be timed, budgeted, and broken down. This is why, as a new writer, formatting is even more important. When an exec reads your script and can automatically figure the budget/time to make the film, they are much more likely to purchase the script because they know what to expect. They don’t like taking risks and an improperly formatted script can (other than potentially denote inexperience) present a financial risk to a studio. After all, they are a business first and foremost.

That went on a bit of a tangent, but I hope that answered your question!

Hi Anon,

I don’t know what you mean by a script that feeds the audience, but the story is always the most important part of a script. I don’t even know why format would ever take precedence over your story?? I’ve read and written absolute garbage scripts that were formatted correctly and good (though admittedly not great) scripts written with crappy formatting.

I’m assuming this question came up because I’m always stressing good formatting in scripts. There’s a reason for that. Yes, the story is always going to be the most important element, but your script should also have good formatting.

Now, there’s a difference between a selling script and a shooting script. The “great scripts” or the ones that get nominations and such are often the selling scripts. These take more liberties with prose (and sometimes formatting) while the shooting scripts are meant for the production crew and budgeting. These are rewritten, cut, and meticulously formatted to the studio’s specifications. So why bother formatting if they are just going to reformat/rewrite the script? Film is a business and you want to be as professional as possible.

Scripts are handed to analysts who have to read multiple scripts a day. These people are rushing through scripts like nobody’s business and they pass on far more scripts than they consider/recommend. If they consider/recommend a script, they better be sure it’s a good one because their whole job is to sift through the scripts to find the ones worthy of the higher-ups to read. Therefore, the first things analysts look for in a script are poor formatting and poor story structure, as these are the first signs of an amateur writer. They are far less likely to stake their reputation on a poorly formatted script, as formatting usually indicates poor understanding of screenwriting. A screenplay that doesn’t follow the normal format can still be bought, sold, and made (A Quiet Place, for example), but it’s an unnecessary risk to take. Regardless of how good/bad a script is, improper formatting will work against it. So just use proper formatting. When you are rich and famous, you can do whatever you want, but when you’re just starting out, you need to use everything at your disposal to show others that you are a serious screenwriter with solid grasp on all the rules.

Best,