This is possibly one of the most asked questions I hear from screenwriters; unfortunately, it’s usually after they’ve submitted their 138 page screenplay.

In order to avoid the misfortune of spending weeks, months, and even years writing a screenplay destined to crash and burn just off the side of the road to El Dorado, consider learning the demands of the screenplay medium. As a reader in Hollywood, it’s my job to see to it that those particular screenplays never make it within sight of my boss. It’s the nomad’s land where the least cut-throat process of making a movie – screenwriting – meets the most cut-throat process – development.

Once you acknowledge what a screenplay is, which is entertainment, then you’re ready to take on how a screenplay is. That is to say, what parameters, guidelines, and even rules are in place and expected to be followed. First of all, formatting is the only place where there actually are rules in place, and no matter what you read, there’s absolutely no breaking the rules. Just who do you think you are? That being said, it’s probably safe to say that all the rules are involved with formatting. Guidelines on the other hand, which make up pretty much everything else, can, and should, be bent, broken, shattered, and even forced to implode!

Formatting your screenplay correctly is arguably the only rule to screenwriting, for it’s something everyone must follow. The formatting is designed to read fast, distinguish the elements involved in screenwriting, including character, dialogue, description and action, and more. While it’s been discussed — and debated — in screenwriting books over the years, there’s only really one right way to format your screenplay. This brings us to a formatting solution available for screenwriters through a popular website you’ve probably heard of. The site’s called ScriptBuddy.com, and the team over there is offering screenwriters a quick reference guide consisting of three pages of informational formatting tips, techniques, rules, and red flags on one side, as well as a giant two-page sample script page properly formatted and dissected on the other. It’s called the ScriptBuddy Format Guide, and it’s something I highly recommend for the screenwriters out there wondering, “how do you format a screenplay anyway?”

Though I still believe reading screenplays is the best way to grow a solid understanding of what works, what doesn’t, which formatting rules are considered dead (many you read in screenwriting books, such as the capitalization of sounds, special effects, and other frivolous amplifications are no longer considered important), I found this guide extremely concise and helpful. It’s complete and extensive, yet simple and easy to study. Pick it up at the ScriptBuddy Store for $14.95. No worries if you’re strapped for cash due to the recession though, because I’ve placed a nice link over to the right for you just in case you know you might want to check it out in the near future.

Don’t risk veering from the fast lane to Hollywood by submitting an incorrectly formatted screenplay … it’s hard enough as it is even when you format it correctly. So whether you decide to manually create your own template, learn the basics from the ScriptBuddy Screenplay Format Guide, or invest in your career by purchasing a word processor dedicated to the screenwriting form is up to you, but remember that formatting is a part of your craft as a screenwriter, so take the time to learn it before submitting next time. – SXR

ScriptXRay was founded by Christopher Rice, a professional story analyst and copywriter in Los Angeles. His experience includes reading screenplays, manuscripts, TV pilots, and books for such companies Gold Circle Films, Josephson Entertainment, Parkway Productions, and more. Christopher currently reads as a consultant at ScriptShark.com, writes articles for ScriptXRay, and provides direct feedback through Script(x)amination – a ScriptXRay service.