Our April 2024 meeting was a script writing workshop led by Julia Rodriguez, the current Resource Development and Marketing Director at Southeast Texas Stages.

I’ve compiled some key takeaways from her workshop in this blog post and added some notes from a seminar about breaking into the entertainment industry at the Sulphur Library.

How to Format Your Script

A common practice in the industry is to assume that one page of a script equals one minute of screen time. That's why most scripts are usually about 90-120 pages long. The standard font used in screenwriting is 12 points in Courier. Whenever the location changes, you need to create a new scene. Each new scene should begin with a slug line. It's worth noting that there are some formatting differences in TV scripts, specifically with Act Breaks, and documentaries may also have some variations. However, apart from those exceptions, the standards mentioned above are pretty much the same across the board.

Script Example

Below is a diagram representing a TV/movie script example. In scriptwriting, such diagrams serve as visual aids to map out scenes, transitions, and dialogue. They provide a structured overview of the narrative flow, guiding the writer and production team through the story's progression. Each element is meticulously crafted to convey the intended mood, pacing, and character interactions. From establishing shots to close-ups, the diagram outlines the cinematographic elements essential for bringing the script to life on screen. Whether it's a suspenseful thriller, a heartwarming romance, or a hilarious comedy, the diagram acts as a blueprint, ensuring coherence and cohesion in the final product. Every detail, from camera angles to character movements, is carefully plotted, aiming to captivate audiences and immerse them in the world of the story.

The language in the script should be simple and easy to understand. There should be no flowery language or “dictionary” words—the goal is to be descriptive enough to get the visuals across to everyone who needs to interact with them.

Intercut: A scene within a scene. An intercut should have its own slugline.

How to Break Into Screenwriting

Take a Screenwriting Course

Local colleges or art centers
Join a screenwriting group or form one, and expect critique from your fellow writers. It should make you a better screenwriter.
- a group allows you to hear your work read aloud
- A group can also provide support and motivation
The more you write, the better your work will be
Be prepared to write many, many drafts
Screencraft
- They do ‘how to’ seminars, all of these are pay-to-play

Finding Books in Your Local Library

Check the catalog for books in or out of the Parish. The library has a system called “Loan Shark” that can assist you with locating books in or out of the state.

Save the Cat: The Last Book on Screenwriting You’ll Ever Need
Screenplay: The Foundations of Screenwriting
The Screenplay Outline Workbook: A Step-by-Step Guide to Brainstorm Ideas
The Hollywood Screenwriter: An insider’s guide to professional screenwriting

If You Have Story Ideas

write a detailed synopsis, no longer than 2 pages
register with WGA-EAST (Writers Guild of America - East)
- Registration fees are $20 for U.S. citizens per material and $10 for WGA members
If you are a writer or creator, it establishes a timeline of completion for written materials in the fields of radio, film, television, video, and interactive media
provides a dated claim of the writer’s claim to authorship of a particular literary material
receive a certification that dates your project should it become a legal matter in the future

If You Have Written Material

Check out Stage 32; they help get your script market-ready. You can get professional feedback on your project and get discovered.

This online site can provide:

Writers’ Room
Direct access to industry professionals
join a community of screenwriters
apply for open writing assignments
First 10 pages: developing notes
Logline Polish (From a Top Industry Executive)
Proofreading Feature Script (Up to 120 pages)
Proofreading TV pilot
Feature or TV Script Coverage
Short Script Coverage Notes
Career Development Call (Choose your industry professional - 1 hour call)
Script Read (30 minute call)
Premium Feature Script
TV Pilot Read + 30 Minute Call

Other Resources

Roadmap Writers is an online platform offering valuable writing classes.
Final Draft 13: Professional screenwriting software for screenwriters with industry-standard formatting and productivity tools

How to Write a Script for TV and Movies