I've been absent for quite some time and haven't written much, screenplay-wise, but I've recently been poking about and I found something that struck me as rather odd.  When talking or listening to anyone in the business, one of the first pieces of advice is "Do nothing to try and make your script stand out visually.  It's the sure sign of an amateur.  Don't use funky type styles on your title page and for heaven's sake...don't put a picture on there."  

So, imagine my surprise when I found this tidbit on the Final Draft website under a section about properly formatting a screenplay:

Final Draft lets you get creative with the Title Page. You can use different fonts to make your title really stand out, and you can even add a picture to set the mood.

Why would the product used by 95% of the industry (says so on the site) have these options in their program while all working professionals I've seen advise against just this sort of thing.  Are these options only for those who have made it in the business, and all others should not use them?  Does anyone have any thoughts about this?  

P.S. - I meant to put this in the original post: I am totally on board with the do not do anything goofy including putting a picture on your title page.  I think that is totally sensible advice that everyone should follow.  I just felt it seemed odd that Final Draft has these options.

I personally think the typical title page rules will soon and up in the bin with many others.

Would not surprise me at all if a few years from now full-sized movie posters and loglines become the title page standard.

Quoted from eldave1 I personally think the typical title page rules will soon and up in the bin with many others. Would not surprise me at all if a few years from now full-sized movie posters and loglines become the title page standard.

Ah, so you think the advice is out-dated?  Fair enough.

Any other thoughts on this?

Quoted from steven8 Ah, so you think the advice is out-dated?  Fair enough. Any other thoughts on this?

I do.

If you want to play it safe for contests - sure - go vanilla - but for anything else - be creative, IMO

Quoted from eldave1 I do. If you want to play it safe for contests - sure - go vanilla - but for anything else - be creative, IMO

While I'm very fond of vanilla, I take your point.   ;)

Are there any other folks with views on this?  Is it generally considered that the screenwriting mores of the past still stand, or are things changing?  Does the existence of such features in the industry standard screenwriting software indicate this?

Steven, I agree with Dave.

Just look at the Blacklist.
Every second script has fancy font, or enlarged bolded title, or even some elaborate pic or poster attached.

Do with your title page whatever you want.
Just make sure your script lives up to the hype.

Welcome back btw!

Quoted from LC Do with your title page whatever you want. Just make sure your script lives up to the hype.

Completely sums up my thoughts. :)

Quoted from LC Do with your title page whatever you want. Just make sure your script lives up to the hype.

Well, that seems to wrap it up.  The old ways of the title page are dead and gone.   ;D

Quoted from LC Welcome back btw!

Thanks!!