Why screenwriting rules are important

At the beginning of this year, I attended The Screenwriters Toolkit course, organised by Female Film Club and taught by the extremely talented and knowledgable Tracy Mathewson. The 3 day course concentrated on the technicalities of writing a good screenplay. Amongst other things, we learned about the correct format to use, when Caps Lock is required and the importance of white spaces on the page. When it comes to writing that story for the big screen, there are rules and you should follow them.

Yes, we are creatives and creatives should be able to create freely and unobstructed. However, if we want our work and ourselves to be taken seriously in the industry, we should abide by the rules of the game. You can break them later if you want, once you’ve proven yourself. Monet and Van Gogh definitely didn’t start out painting in the rule-breaking style that made them famous.

So why is it important to learn the rules and why should we stick to them? Isn’t it all about being a limitless artist? A groundbreaking prodigy? That writer who came up with something different? We all want to stand out, but we should want to stand out for the right reasons.

We want to be recognised as great writers and creative visionaries but at the same time, we should want to be known for being professional and reliable. For that to happen, we need to consider the reader, the person who reads our script and ultimately decides if it’s worth their time to continue beyond page one. The reader, who can be a producer, an actor or anyone looking to invest their time and/or money into your film, needs to be able to open up your screenplay and easily see what they are in for.

Readers of screenplays are humans with commitments and schedules. Respect and value their time. Consider the fact that your story may not be the only one on their desk. It is the reader’s job to read screenplays but remember that reading for work is not the same as reading for pleasure. Don’t make it hard for them.

If everyone wrote their screenplay in whatever shape or form they wanted, the reader would have to spend quite some time deciphering the format every time they opened up a document. This is time that they aren’t reading your story. Also, imagine if your screenplay was the last one on the reader’s pile. Do you think they would have energy or motivation left to make that effort? My guess is not.

If you’ve followed the rules and you’ve created a strong story, and you’ve found an interested party willing to read it, then you’re one step closer to seeing your story on the big screen. Congratulations! What happens next depends on a lot of factors and you can’t be certain of how far the journey will take you. However, you can still celebrate. That document? That pile of pages? That is now your calling card, your portfolio. Someone has seen your idea, discovered your style and considered your vision. When you send them your next screenplay, they are more likely to give it time.

Your screenplay is more than just your story on the page. It shows your professionalism and consideration for the others in the industry. It shows respect for people’s time and your commitment to your craft. It shows that you are a unique creative but also a team player and making a film is ultimately all about team work. Understanding and using the correct format for your screenplay means you chose to speak the same language as everyone else who is involved in the film-making process.

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash