Resources
What is standard screenplay format? While there can be slight variations for different types of scripts (ie multicam sitcom teleplays), screenplays follow strict formatting rules. Fortunately, screenwriting software like Highland Pro, will do the heavy lifting for you. The basics of screenplay format: * 12-point Courier font * 1.5 inch left
Resources
Parentheticals (also called “wrylies” or “actor’s direction”) are used to clear up confusion about a line that could be read multiple ways: They can also be used to indicate who a speaker is addressing: You will sometimes see them used to indicate action. This is acceptable if the action
Resources
First impressions matter. Discover how to format your screenplay’s title page like a pro.
Highland
Highland 2 has evolved into Highland Pro. It's the next generation of the app, now on Mac, iPad, and iPhone with one subscription and a 30-day free trial.
Inneresting
For this week's rebroadcast, we highlight some evergreen questions from readers in 2007.
Inneresting
Back in 2010, John answered a question about second guessing yourself and deciding what sample to send to a producer if you think your work doesn't match their taste.
Inneresting
In 2007, John came back from a screening of Spider-Man 3 and used his reactions to point to the hurdles a writer can throw in their story's path when relying too heavily on coincidence.
Highland
In Highland Pro, you can change the colors of just about anything. Use one of our built-in themes, or create one exactly to your taste. In this short video, I explain how themes work, how to create a custom theme, and how to share your creation with others. Here'
Highland
Highland Pro’s /lookup provides short, inline answers. Building it required early design decisions.
Inneresting
In 2009, John answered a question about how to choose between the different stories competing for your attention, and gave an example of one time he didn’t need to choose just one. I know you have addressed this type of question to a certain extent, but I was left
Inneresting
Just how early can you tell a script isn’t going to work? To me, it’s as the first few characters are introduced. If character introductions are not done artfully, the odds of anything else in the script being great are slim. That’s James Cameron’s terrific script
Inneresting
This week’s rebroadcast collects posts from 2006 and 2012 to consider how selling a script isn’t a guarantee, and why writing a film that never gets made is still work worthy of compensation. You’ve said that “most scripts don’t become movies, and a hundred things could