This session covers:

• The importance and value of screenplay format
• Formatting myths
• The spec script and shooting script
• Know the rules before you break them
• Three parts of a screenplay
• How to begin the script
• SUPERs and transitions
• How to end the script
• Screenwriting software
• Typeface, margins, tabs, and spacing
• Page count
• Title pages, cover pages, and brads
• What do readers want and how strict are they?
• What makes readers crazy

This session covers:

• Three types of headings
• Master scene headings
• SAME, CONTINUOUS, and spacing before headings
• Secondary scene headings
• How master scene headings and secondary scene headings work together
• Special headings
• The montage
• The series of shots
• Flashbacks and Dreams
• Three flashback styles
• The Insert
• Patterns in using special headings

This session covers:

• Three parts of a dialogue block
• The Character Cue
• The Parenthetical – the purpose and use of the wryly
• How to use the word “beat”
• Subtitles
• The Speech
• MORE and CONT’D
• Off Screen (O.S.) and Voice Over (V.O.)
• Telephone conversations and the INTERCUT
• Music and lyrics
• What is not dialogue
• Dialogue punctuation

This session covers:

• Writing narrative description
• Action and character
• What narrative should and should not include
• Camera directions and technical instructions
• When to use all-CAPS
• When to use quotation marks
• Computer conversations and texting
• A TV in your scene
• Your formatting tool box contains many useful communicative tools
• Directing the camera without using camera direction

This session covers:

• Using characters as locations
• Formatting unseen characters
• How to cheat on margins and line spacing
• Reaching the reader
• Revising your format to improve your script
• Answering any unanswered questions

• The three parts of a screenplay
• Common errors that Hollywood readers hate and how to avoid them
• Formatting techniques that may be applied to any given writing situation
• How to write headings (slug lines)
• The ins and outs of writing narrative description and dialogue
• When and how to break the rules of formatting
• The difference between formatting spec and shooting scripts

• For writers who would like to enhance their story and create a reader-friendly screenplay.
• Provides students with the formatting techniques they need in order to take their script from good to great.
• Discover the impact that a script’s format can have on a story–from its scenes to dialogue–and how to use it to draw attention to your writing.

The Screenwriter's Bible by David Trottier

Two Screenplays by Dave Trottier

Dr. Format Tells All by Dave Trottier

"Dave has an excellent ability to give clear and succinct explanations of proper script format and good screenwriting. I've enjoyed learning from him." - Lila LaBine

"For me, learning how to properly format a spec script is like learning a foreign language. Both subjects require a good teacher who loves to teach and a student willing to practice. Now, it’s up to me to practice the language of proper script writing which is becoming less foreign to me thanks to Dave Trottier who obviously loves to teach." -  Amabile Milano

"Dave is the ultimate expert in script formatting! I learned so much from this course and it has changed the way that I write. I've gained an appreciation of proper formatting and how it can enhance the reading experience." - Rima  Youil

"Expert advice and clearly explains what's required in the industry. A must have course for newbies and experienced writers." - Dina Young

"Excellent instruction - insightful and targeted specifically to my questions/concerns/issues - I highly recommend this course to anyone who is a seasoned pro, or an enthusiast like myself who wants to build confidence and strengthen skills set. Best money I ever spent - do yourself a favor and enroll!" - D M.L.