I see what you mean and will try hard to make my scripts easier to read. I still disagree with you about it being difficult to read long paragraphs.

Hey King,

What might be helpful is if you give us an example of what you consider "impossible" to trim. If you're describing a character, does your text include superflous details. Ex: are you describing hair that is "black like a river gently flowing with the moon glowing above"? If so (or similar) your problem is clear. Same with describing emotional justification or character backstory within your narrative.
Even if it's totally frustrating and seems to be going nowhere, don't erase full (or partial) scripts. Just start over again in another file.

Well, I already erased it. I mean 1 page is not really a big deal (at least to me). I remember most, if not everything, that I wrote on that first page. My script does not include superflous details. I am not used to writing like that at all.

Quoted from usaking My script does not include superflous details. I am not used to writing like that at all.

Think terse. Write only what we can see. Anything more than that and people will slam you for it.

Read this as an example of perfect poetic writing that is still short and to the point and awesome story telling...  http://www.simplyscripts.net/cgi-bin/Blah/Blah.pl?m-1213645312/    
or this one by the same author.  http://www.simplyscripts.net/cgi-bin/Blah/Blah.pl?m-1197232224/

Umm, by "slam" do you mean yell at me and possibly get a little upset or do you mean just not like it a lot?

Quoted from usaking Umm, by "slam" do you mean yell at me and possibly get a little upset or do you mean just not like it a lot?

She means you'll get negative feedback, possibly harsh negative feedback.

However, if you aren't going to enter it into a contest and you aren't trying to pitch it to the studio system then it doesn't really matter.  Realise though that independent producers and directors often have a short attention span, a few lines at a time is all they can handle, any more and the meaning will be lost on them.

Yeah, that's what I was afraid of. I am always afraid of harsh feedback. That's the kind of stuff that really brings me down.

Then don't go over 4 lines. It's quite easy once you get used to it.

It's also excellent for stressing important information.

I luckily edited my first script, which I already submitted to SS. I think it actually looks HORRIBLE with every paragraph being 4 lines or less, but I will do whatever it takes to become good at script writing.

It's really that simple, usaking. It's not a rule you break. If you do, people will call you on it. And they'll do it with force, because it's such a simple thing to remember.

You have to get the basics of formatting sorted. Then you can focus on the interestings things, the ones people REALLY want to comment on when they read a script: dialogue, story, characters, etc.

Quoted from usaking I luckily edited my first script, which I already submitted to SS. I think it actually looks HORRIBLE with every paragraph being 4 lines or less, but I will do whatever it takes to become good at script writing.

Formatting isn't about how the script looks - it's about how the script reads.

Quoted from usaking I think it actually looks HORRIBLE with every paragraph being 4 lines or less, but I will do whatever it takes to become good at script writing.

Sorry to be harsh, but don't ask for advices anymore and just do what you want if you don't want to listen

Quoted from usaking I have tried breaking up my sentences, but it looks absolutely horrible. It looks worse than all the words in 8 lines.

I've written large pieces of action and/or descriptions. I do it by breaking it down, not by lines but by the ideas.  Fight sequences are a great example of this.  If two guys are fighting, you don't write the entire fight in one long paragraph.  It'll give the reader a headache.

Splitting up the action also allows you to take a quick break and think about what you've read. Let it soak in before you move on.

You can't say that Tarantino does something a certain way, so you should be allowed to. Tarantino is Tarantino and you're not.  He directs what he writes; if he wants to hand-write his script on toilet, it'll get produced

Learn the rules before you break the rules.  Those that you send your scripts to wil expect you to follow them.

If you still think that limiting the lines is a stupid rule, then read al the above, again, as one block of text:

Quoted from usaking I have tried breaking up my sentences, but it looks absolutely horrible. It looks worse than all the words in 8 lines.

  I've written large pieces of action and/or descriptions. I do it by breaking it down, not by lines but by the ideas.  Fight sequences are a great example of this.  If two guys are fighting, you don't write the entire fight in one long paragraph.  It'll give the reader a headache.  Splitting up the action also allows you to take a quick break and think about what you've read. Let it soak in before you move on.  You can't say that Tarantino does something a certain way, so you should be allowed to. Tarantino is Tarantino and you're not.  He directs what he writes; if he wants to hand-write his script on toilet, it'll get produced.  Learn the rules before you break the rules.  Those that you send your scripts to wil expect you to follow them.  If you still think that limiting the lines is a stupid rule, then read al the above, again, as one block of text:


Phil

"Baltis, I am definitely sure that I am supposed to be a screenwriter. No offense, but I can't stand novels and do not wish to ever be a novelist. "

Ok, let me rephrase it than... You might not be good enough to be a screenwriter if you can't follow simple guidelines and structure. If you're having a hard time trying to condense your "wordy" exploits down into 4 lines then you're gonna have some problems... Not just with me, but with anyone who wishes to read your work.

I'm not giving you a hard time I'm simply trying to make you see that screenplays do not need long drawn out character descriptions and location set ups. For instance...

INT. BAR - NIGHT

DO NOT LET US KNOW WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE IN GREAT DETAIL... WE KNOW WHAT A BAR LOOKS LIKE.

Write like your audience isn't completely fucking retarded. How about that? Write like we, the audience, actually have our own imagination.   You do that and you might get some work done. And just because you sit down in front of a computer and write doesn't mean you're a screenwriter. I can stand in a garage all day but it isn't going to make me a car.

usaking,

did you give any of the scripts I mentioned a read? They are only five pages each, but are brilliant on every level...

Just trying to be helpful...