Same old stuff said all over again.

Most of the articles on screenwriting online contain nothing new. They don't have a new or original point of view. They just regurgitate stuff that has been said over and over again. Presenting stuff as fact and written in stone, when its not.

Nothing special for me here.

Seems like just another fella trying to sell consultant services. In terms of the actual points:

1. The script is short – between 90 and 110 pages: -

Disagree

2. The front cover is free of WGA registration numbers and fake production company names

WGA number - disagree - Fake production - agree

3. The first page contains a lot of white space

Depends - generally agree with the premise of don't over write

4. I know who the protagonist is by page 5

Disagree

5. The premise is clearly established by page 10

Not a bad idea

6. Something interesting/entertaining happens in the first five pages:

Generally agree

7. The first ten pages contain plenty of action

Disagree

8. I can tell what’s going on

Agree

9. The dialogue is short and to the point:

disagree - it should be the correct length - not long or short.

10. The script doesn’t begin with a flashback

Disagree

11. There are no camera directions, shot descriptions, and editing instructions:

I would preface the statement with "unnecessary"

12. There are no coffins

Disagree

#9 from above, I think the point is -- don't have characters ramble for no reason.

#10 from above. Makes sense, you have to establish what "now" is in order to flashback. If you start your very first scene of "John in 1989" and the story takes place in 2015, then just start in 1989 and flashforward to 2015.

#12 why would you want to see coffins? It means nothing.

Other than that, good opinions.

Quoted from TonyDionisio #9 from above, I think the point is -- don't have characters ramble for no reason. #10 from above. Makes sense, you have to establish what "now" is in order to flashback. If you start your very first scene of "John in 1989" and the story takes place in 2015, then just start in 1989 and flashforward to 2015. #12 why would you want to see coffins? It means nothing. Other than that, good opinions.

# 9 - yes, don't have characters ramble for no reason. And apply that ramble rule if the dialogue is one line or ten. IMO - the issue is not the length of the dialogue. It's whether the words in it are needed. So - I agree with your rule - not his.

# 10 - some films begin with flashbacks and they are perfectly suited. GoodFellas comes to mind. Memento as well.  I think they are referred to as prequel flashbacks but they are flashbacks nonetheless. IMO - rule # 10 should be - use flashbacks when appropriate (regardless of where they appear in the script)

# 11 - a coffin could mean everything depending on what story is being told. (A vampire film perhaps?). The death of a father - anything. Anyway - his point was more about props then it was about coffins and I still think it was a silly one and only added to give some pop to his own article.

You know, I think once a screenwriter understands basic, smart principals about screenwriting, all this "how to" do-it-by-the-damned-numbers stuff gets tired and moot. (Not to mention results in cookie cutter scripts ala Blake Snyder.)  Most of the peeps at SS already know the really important stuff:

* Start with a catchy scene
* Make every word count (ie: cut out all extraneous description and rambling dialogue). Be exciting with the words you leave in.
* Go into a scene (a bit) late, leave (a bit) early
* Have lots of conflict and/or mystery
* Have character arc
* Give your characters and story authentic, organic personalities and intelligent depth
* Rewrite, polish, and be open to smart coverage suggestions.
* Try to write everyday.  Practice makes (closer to) perfect.

Do all that, and anything you write will be worth it.  

Cheers,

--Janet (W)

Here's a decent article as well...

http://scriptnurse.com/wp/rewrites/finding-weaknesses/

I liked this one - spot on

The points in the article and my point of view:

1. The script is short – between 90 and 110 pages: -

Seems to be the usual format expected, so I agree here, but I understand there might be exceptions like historical or monumental movies.

2. The front cover is free of WGA registration numbers and fake production company names

I like to add the registration number on the front page, just because it is easier for me to find it that way. I do save the registration confirmations with my scripts, but if I put it on the cover I got both together everytime I send it anywhere.
Fake production company names are laughable, whoever does that is an idiot imho.

3. The first page contains a lot of white space

That's an interesting one. The first TV pilot I wrote in english language starts with a long speech of the main protagonist (which is a lead scientist) to his scientist colleagues. I entered that script into several contests just to get some feedback, and while it got good critics and made it through the first round of several contests like PAGE for example and ended up in the semi finals of CWA2015, practically all notes included the first few pages with large speech blocks as a point of critique.

So I'm not sure what to make of this. A crowded first page seems to turn readers off, but given my script ranked quite well, I doubt it's a sign of quality for the rest of the script.

4. I know who the protagonist is by page 5

Fully agree.

5. The premise is clearly established by page 10

Fully agree. There's nothing worse than a script where nothing essential is happening in the first few pages.

6. Something interesting/entertaining happens in the first five pages:

Fully agree, we need some inciting moment which gets the story rolling.

7. The first ten pages contain plenty of action

Fully agree. If all your character does is waking up in bed, drinking coffee, taking a shower and watering his/her plants, I won't continue to read.

8. I can tell what’s going on

Tend to disagree here. Many good movies leave the audience in the dark for the entire movie to build up to that final reveal which explains everything in the end. Think of Sixth Sense for example.

9. The dialogue is short and to the point:

Dialog is probably the weakest part of my own writing, so I'll take that blame, but when I read a script, I seem to prefer those with shorter dialog.

10. The script doesn’t begin with a flashback

10000000% agree. It's so stupid if a script begins with a flashback or an endless voice over (I hate voice overs in general, because they are a cheap way to TELL instead of SHOW). A flashback at the beginning means stop reading instantly for me.

11. There are no camera directions, shot descriptions, and editing instructions:

I guess I got to take this and I've stopped using any of them in my newer scripts because it is always a point of critique. Personally, I still think they can be useful to highlight something or to give a scene a different meaning, but it seems like it's not accepted from readers/judges, so I'll obey to that.

12. There are no coffins

No idea here. I recently read an article written by a literacy agent who complained about series bibles being way too long. She said bibles they get are 60 pages or longer, with lots of dull material, paintings, concept art and so on. She said she probably only has time to read 4-5 pages and that should be enough to catch her interest.

So I guess 'the more the better' doesn't count here.

#3,

I think this means stay away from 12-15 line paragraphs. ANytime you insert dialog on a page, there is white space on either side, no?

Your other points are well presented.

BTW, can you send me a link to your script: Project Endolon, please?

Quoted from CJ Walley Should be re-titled to "Twelve signs of a robo-reader."

So you disagree with all 23 points?

When people sit down to write articles like this they should ask themselves the following:

- Is there anything new they have to say on the topic?
- Are they saying something that a person can't figure out on their own pretty easy?

Again, this is the same regurgitated nonsense over and over again. IMO, of course.

Well, good thing there are no new people coming to this board who may benefit from the articles. At least, not that would benefit from two charming people I can think of.

Quoted from TonyDionisio At least, not that would benefit from two charming people I can think of.

I don't get it. You ask people's opinion on an article. You get it. You get upset because they don't praise it.  

Seems like you have an agenda.