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Author	Topic: FoNt SIzE?
gabriel Junior Member	posted 10-05-2000 11:01 AM Hello. I need some quick font size info as I finish up here. The rules say all scripts are in a Currier 12pt. Cool. However I noticed that MATT and BEN's GOODWILL script sample seems to be in 9pt. I have been writing in 10pt. This is the size that seems to be the same as all the script I have read. When I switch it over to 12pt. it seems clownishly huge! This will also affect my number of pages. The Question: How flexible is the Font Size Rule? Thank you much, and much luck to all. Gabriel IP: Logged
RogerT Member	posted 10-05-2000 11:13 AM It only look slike that -- a Courier 12 pt will look like 9 when converted as you are most likely viewing it in less than full size. Stick to 12pt. IP: Logged
sphereal Junior Member	posted 10-05-2000 02:57 PM Where in the rules does it even discuss screenplay formatting let alone font size, tabs, spacing and the like??? I've read through the rules thoroughly and can only find very vague guidance on screenplay formatting under FAQ"s question #17. They don't discuss the details that some one who has never written a screenplay at all should know... IP: Logged
RogerT Member	posted 10-05-2000 03:26 PM It there---you just have to find it! I'm a nice guy, though. Here it is copied for you : "INDUSTRY STANDARD" FORMAT – GUIDELINES (from screenwritersworkshop.com) TOP MARGIN: 1" BOTTOM MARGIN: May vary from 1/2" to 1-1/2", depending on what is most convenient. LEFT-HAND MARGIN: 1-1/2" RIGHT-HAND MARGIN: 1" PAGE NUMBERS: 1/2" from the top of the page. Margins and tabs for the screenplay page are as follows: FADE IN: These are the first words of your screenplay. SLUG LINE: 1-1/2" from the left edge of the page, and tells whether the scene takes place inside or outside, the scene's location, and whether it's day or night. It is written in ALL CAPS. Example: EXT. OPEN FIELD -- DAY, INT. JACK'S LIVING ROOM -- NIGHT EXT. DENSE FOREST -- EVENING. DIRECTION and DESCRIPTION: Begins at the same place as the slug line--1-1/2" from the left edge of the page. DIALOGUE: begins at 2-1/2" and ends at 5 1/2" PARANTHETICALS: Begin at 3", single-spaced under the character's name, and extend no further than 5-1/2". Parantheticals are actor directions. Examples: (sneers), (laughing) CHARACTER NAMES: Are written in ALL CAPS and begin at 3-1/2". TRANSITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS: Begin at 6-1/2" and are left-aligned. These are also written in ALL CAPS. Examples: CUT TO:, DISSOLVE TO: Screenplays are ALWAYS written in Courier, 12 pt. font. IP: Logged
gabriel Junior Member	posted 10-05-2000 03:44 PM I printed a test page in 12pt. and the text is ridiculously big! Any other thoughts? IP: Logged
RogerT Member	posted 10-05-2000 03:59 PM Gabriel, what program are you using to write with? Did you do a test conversion to PDF? Is your browser at 100%? Be specific. IP: Logged
gabriel Junior Member	posted 10-05-2000 04:15 PM I'm using Word. I have an Acrobat Reader, but I don't think that I can use that to make conversions. If it does end up smaller when converted, how many pages should there be? At 10pt. it might be 95 pages, but in 12pt. it could be 140 pages. When I convert it over, if it ends up looking like 9pt. I might only have 78 pages. I'm a little worried. (Does someone from the contest moniter these postings and step in if needed?) Let me know if this didn't make sense. Thanks all! IP: Logged
gabriel Junior Member	posted 10-05-2000 04:16 PM And, thank you, Roger. I hope you have the answers. IP: Logged
RogerT Member	posted 10-05-2000 04:47 PM Okay...I write in WORD also, Gabriel. Courier 12 pt, formatted as in above. You need to look at your document window to make sure you are viewing your document at 100%, check your toolbars..which is pretty normal. If you are, select three or four pages of your script and save it as a TEST on your drive. Then you need to get your free Adobe PDF Document Conversion (not just the reader...check the UPLOAD section for the link) set up and convert those three pages so you can assure yourself all is well. You'll use one of your free three, but it will help you familiarize the process. My 109 MS WORD converted to 109 PDF with no problems at all. Anyone with other helpful hints can chime in. IP: Logged
StuLangley Junior Member	posted 10-05-2000 05:10 PM guys, relax. if you've read scripts before and on the internet, you'll see that this can vary (a bit) from script to script. just write the best f-ing screenplay you can! IP: Logged
gabriel Junior Member	posted 10-05-2000 05:15 PM Thanks, Roger! I gave it a try. Good News: It was the same number of pages. Bad News: It still looks big to me. I've got a copy of the shooting script for Leathal Weapon IV and the font looks to be about 9 or 10pt. The same with the available sample of Good Will Hunting, it's like 9pt. It just looks unatural (and I'll have to edit down!). This just can't be right! Is it? IP: Logged
mustpar65 Member	posted 10-05-2000 05:58 PM If it doesn't make your script too long just go with it. They want 12pt courier you're giving them 12pt courier. I wouldn't worry about it. If they specified 50pt Stars and Stripes Font I'd give them that. IP: Logged
RogerT Member	posted 10-05-2000 08:04 PM Good, then go for it. Glad I could help. IP: Logged
Buckjob Junior Member	posted 10-05-2000 09:01 PM I write with a screenwriting software called "scriptware". It sets everything up for you, you just have to hit certain keys. Its very easy to write with cause its made for writing screenplays. My point is that the default setting for font size is 10 pt! I wrote my entire script in it and I was not about to F' with it just to get it in 12 pt. If I lose for it - so be it...but I think they're more concerned with content. IP: Logged
felix Junior Member	posted 10-05-2000 10:49 PM quote: Originally posted by RogerT: It there---you just have to find it! I'm a nice guy, though. Here it is copied for you : "INDUSTRY STANDARD" FORMAT – GUIDELINES (from screenwritersworkshop.com) TOP MARGIN: 1" BOTTOM MARGIN: May vary from 1/2" to 1-1/2", depending on what is most convenient. LEFT-HAND MARGIN: 1-1/2" RIGHT-HAND MARGIN: 1" PAGE NUMBERS: 1/2" from the top of the page. Margins and tabs for the screenplay page are as follows: FADE IN: These are the first words of your screenplay. SLUG LINE: 1-1/2" from the left edge of the page, and tells whether the scene takes place inside or outside, the scene's location, and whether it's day or night. It is written in ALL CAPS. Example: EXT. OPEN FIELD -- DAY, INT. JACK'S LIVING ROOM -- NIGHT EXT. DENSE FOREST -- EVENING. DIRECTION and DESCRIPTION: Begins at the same place as the slug line--1-1/2" from the left edge of the page. DIALOGUE: begins at 2-1/2" and ends at 5 1/2" PARANTHETICALS: Begin at 3", single-spaced under the character's name, and extend no further than 5-1/2". Parantheticals are actor directions. Examples: (sneers), (laughing) CHARACTER NAMES: Are written in ALL CAPS and begin at 3-1/2". TRANSITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS: Begin at 6-1/2" and are left-aligned. These are also written in ALL CAPS. Examples: CUT TO:, DISSOLVE TO: Screenplays are ALWAYS written in Courier, 12 pt. font. Roger you seem to know a lot do you know of a good screenplay software that I could use??? IP: Logged
gabriel Junior Member	posted 10-06-2000 08:47 AM Thanks Buckjob! That's what I'm gonna do! Stick with the 10pt. If any Greenlight official sees this post, and knows I'm wrong, please let me know before I upload my script. Thanks to all! I hope that this post help some others out there as well! IP: Logged
satchel_underwood Member	posted 10-06-2000 11:43 AM The whole point is that the "industry standard" format requires Courier 12-pt. In other words, if you sent your hard copy script to be read by a studio and they opened it up and saw Times 10-pt., they might throw it out before even giving it a chance. The greenlight people are trying to get writers used to having to format their works correctly, but they are being lenient, as far as I can tell. quote: Originally posted by gabriel: Thanks Buckjob! That's what I'm gonna do! Stick with the 10pt. If any Greenlight official sees this post, and knows I'm wrong, please let me know before I upload my script. Thanks to all! I hope that this post help some others out there as well! IP: Logged

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