by JSmooth

Created on: August 07, 2009

Packaging a script for submission requires an understanding of the industry standards. Many writers assume that because they write a powerful story, readers and producers will forgive them for improperly writing and binding a script together. Don't be one of those writers that think their writing is good enough, making it acceptable to ignore the formatting and binding standards. Making a script ready for submission - the first time around - can make a difference between optioning a screenplay or being constantly rejected for failing to follow the industry standards. What are the industry standards for submitting a screenplay?

Save yourself the stress; purchase Final Draft screenwriting software. There are other companies that produce knockoff screenwriting software, claiming that they have the best software available. None of these companies don't compare to Final Draft. Would you rather drive a Saturn or a BMW? Writers that try to format screenplays on Microsoft Word and other text writing programs will waste too much time trying to set tabs, count spaces, and all the other processes that are involved with formatting a screenplay. Let Final Draft do all the formatting for you and focus your concentration on writing a salable and award winning screenplay.

If for some reason that you are financially strapped and can't afford Final Draft, then purchase David Trottier's Screenwriting Bible at Barnes & Nobles. The book has everything you need to know about the right screenplay formatting specifications. Trottier's suggest formatting a screenplay using the following processes: The font and character should be 12 Courier. The left margin is to be 1.5 inches from the left side, the dialogue is 2.5 inches from the left side, parenthetical for character direction center underneath the name and about 3.1 inches from the left, and lastly, the character name should be 3.7 inches away from the left side.

When I first started writing screenplays more than a decade ago, I spent too much time formatting screenplays using MS Word, constructing the story was essentially a secondary effort. Try downloading a trial version of Final Draft. Though the company places water marking in the background, you will be able to gain practical experience with the screenwriting software. Also, consider downloading sample studio screenplays at either scriptorama.com or Google the keyword "feature screenplays." Many college libraries and some county libraries have copies of

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