To me, the only thing a screenwriter should be reading are screenplays and maybe professional critiques of those screenplays.  Start reading "the books" when you have run out of screenplays to read.  I can always tell when someone only reads "the books."  They are the one who have read 90 books on screenwriting and 3 actual scripts.

As far as formatting goes, I would have to agree with the majority here, but not sure if for the same reasons they are stating.   With so many other "rules" that I'd argue can/should be broken, I'm not sure why formatting would be one of them.  JMHO.  I mean formatting as in how the elements are spaced  on the page.  

I agree with your statement of write how you want, that's what the vomit draft is for.  But if you chose not to follow the formatting guidelines when it comes to your first draft (or whatever draft you plan on having read by others) than it is kind of like going to the Governor's Ball dressed in boxers and a wife-beater.

Quoted from jwent6688 Of all the stupid threads I've seen, this may be the stupidity climax.

I've started plenty of stupid threads.  It's usually a case of too much coffee.  

Caffeine is a wicked taskmaster.

But yeah, this thread is a waste of space.

Save the cat... I contributed to mr snyders empire post- humous. I hated that this book taught producers/ agents to look at page 5 and 25 before reading the first ten. That is all I ever ask. If my first ten pages turn you off, read no further.

Aside from that, there is something called kill the cat that many writers forget. If the audience hates your antagonist with a passion, they will get satisfaction during their downfall. I often times rely more on this than trying to get my readers on board with my hero.

James

Maybe we should stop posting on this thread until we hear from Coldbug?  And, if he doesn't, maybe the mods should lock the thread.


Phil

I am here now.  wow..so many replies for my outraged post.  
First, I would like to clear up that I was not referring to this site at all.  I was talking about in general.    
Second, I posted it because I was frustrated for not being able to write even a page in more than three weeks.  
I didn't mean to put it in a way like screw you all..i will do whatever i want.  Sorry if I have got on your nerves.  
I will get back on my feet (yes..I still have them lol) and write again.  Hope I get my mojo back, because I feel like a loser sometimes.

It's time to redeem myself here.  I am from Burma and came to USA at age 18.  English is my SL and here I am chosing to write screenplays as a hobby.  Very challenging it had been with grammar.  I have an A.A in Liberal Arts and one day will finish the bachelor.  
I am a guy who went to Wal Mart and asked where I could find a hooker.  I meant the coat hanger because that's what the translation into English in my head at that moment.  So, screenwriting is something I should not have chosen to dream of.  I am a stubborn spoiled child now being released into the wild so sometimes I do get disappointed for not acheiving something I want.  
ok..please forgive me for the rant and can I go back to basics 101

a few weeks ago, it was snowing and I had an idea.  To change the opening of my script.  Instead of..

FADE IN:

Strong fortified structure bathed in snow.

I was thinking what if I can let the camera follow the snow flake falling...so i did

FADE IN:

A single snow flake falls in the sky and we follow as it heads toward the ceiling of a strong fortified structure.

then I was thinking..wait I can't do that.  I am not supposed to write about camera directions..but then I was thinking...wait..isn't this what screenwriting is all about?  
I want to write what I want to see on the screen.  That is why I like to write screenplays.  If I can't do that, where is the fun?

Can I write like that?  I only want to do it at the opening and won't do it alot.  Would it bother the readers?

Quoted from coldbug Can I write like that?  I only want to do it at the opening and won't do it alot.  Would it bother the readers?

The answer is always the same.

It will bother some readers, and not others.

Trust your instincts about what works, 'cuz in the end, despite mountains of books and advice, your instincts are the only compass you've really got -- or need.

Good instincts are what separate the great from the not-so-great.

thanks Bert, and all.  I have posted and asked alot of questions in the past.  A lot of you helped me and gave me good comments.
I do like to keep getting ideas and opinions from you all.  Sorry I have gone on a rampage on here frustrated.  

ok..the "We" thing.  I have been using it and obsessed with it and trying not to use it often.

"We (verb)"  is ok if you don't overuse it.  However, never use "We see" or "We hear" because those are always redundant.  

I will add this as an aftertought.

If you read what you have written, then wonder, "Will a reader like this?", the answer is probably no.

It is by far the simplist -- and most difficult -- test of quality.

You should always be excited by what you have written -- and if you aren't, then who will be?

Quoted from bert Trust your instincts about what works, 'cuz in the end, despite mountains of books and advice, your instincts are the only compass you've really got -- or need. Good instincts are what separate the great from the not-so-great.

Not so sure that's the best advice.   Instincts can stink, especially for someone who is struggling with English let alone the craft of screenwriting.  Coldbug, you're best bet is to follow the advice of professionals who've already paved the way to successful screenwriting career.  For starters don't get fancy & flowery.    

Strong fortified structure bathed in snow. (good)

A single snow flake falls in the sky and we follow as it heads toward the ceiling of a strong fortified structure.  (not so good)

LESS IS MORE.  Keep it simple and to the point.  

Last but not least, In the words of Wayne Newton, "If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants".   (He's the dude that invented the Fig Newton bar.)   Hope this helps.  

Quoted from coldbug FADE IN: A single snow flake falls in the sky and we follow as it heads toward the ceiling of a strong fortified structure. then I was thinking..wait I can't do that.  I am not supposed to write about camera directions. Can I write like that?  I only want to do it at the opening and won't do it alot.  Would it bother the readers?

You can, without camera angles:

Quoted Text FADE IN: EXT.  CLOUDY SKY - NIGHT A single snowflake falls.  It twists and turns, flips and flutters its way down. In the distance below, a castle. The snowflake glides down it's zig-zag path.  It swirls around a stone tower, barely missing several times... until it gently lands on the nose of a gargle.  An insult to the stone gardian.

You can hint at any camera angle by simply describing what you see in detail.


Phil

Phil..I like it.

Or...

EXT.  CLOUDY SKY - NIGHT

A snowflake falls and lands atop of a stone tower.  

Quoted from M.Alexander Coldbug, you're best bet is to follow the advice of professionals who've already paved the way to successful screenwriting career.  For starters don't get fancy & flowery.     Strong fortified structure bathed in snow. (good) A single snow flake falls in the sky and we follow as it heads toward the ceiling of a strong fortified structure.  (not so good) LESS IS MORE.  Keep it simple and to the point.

yea...it's more likely to make mistakes for doing fancy stuffs.  I'll keep it simple and plain English.