Anyone know what format you use to write a TV script?

[HEyHEY]

My friend and I have a great idea. But I've never seen how to write it out properly...can I get an example?

[Darth_Kitten]

1. Screenwriting courses.......

if you are really interested..call up a film training institute or school.

seriously. best of luck!

[HEyHEY]

2. I guess I will have to

But I have my journalism connections I am sure I can get a friend of mine at CBC to get one. I ain't taking another course on writing though...I have my journalism program done and that's enough for me!

[Nay]

3. Go to the bookstore and get a writer's magazine. This month I

think I saw one with screenwriting techniques and formats. Even if there is no article, there are screenwriting books and software advertised in the mags.

[HEyHEY]

6. good idea..thanks

[Darth_Kitten]

5. Okay....

you're the writer not me. :) No more courses...

[soleft]

4. I have a copy of a Law and Order Script

PM your email address and I'll send you a page sample

[CanuckAmok]

7. Here, try this...

This is the industry standard:

http://www.screenplay.com/products/mmscreenwriter/index.html

It's about $300, but there are very similar programs which aren't quite as versatile for under $60, and they're still format-acceptable.

The reason the screenplay systems one is so popular, is it can be interfaced with MovieMagic Scheduling, which is the standard for production scheduling in the industry. If you're just writing something to pitch/produce yourself, as long as you have the basic layout program, you're fine.

You're in Vancouver, right? Give "Biz Books" a call--they have some of the basic software packages, and some great how-too books.

[supernova]

8. Get the book Screenplay by Syd Field

Very practical, how-to deconstruction of putting a screenplay together.

There also was a follow-up workbook called The Screenwriter's Workbook.

[Champion Jack]

9. Syd Field is THE book....

and it'll cost a lot less than 300 bucks too.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

10. I once talked with a woman who used to

do preliminary readings of submitted scripts for a production company.

She said that her instructions were to toss any scripts that were not submitted in the standard format, without even trying to read them.

So I guess that it would definitely be worthwhile to learn the standards.