I generally don’t worry too much about stuff like this, but this one has been banging around my head for a while, and I'd really like some opinions. The reason I ask as well is because it can have quite an effect on you page count.

I can't talk for any screenwriting software other than Final Draft, but for FD the default setting for scene heading spacing is 2 lines before 1 line after. If anyone is completely lost with what I mean, check out Dave's new script, In Search of Hysterical Jesus, and you will see the spacing.

I was told a few months ago that this spacing is generally for shooting scripts and that the default should be changed to 1 line before and 1 after for spec scripts.

Depending on the amount of scenes you have in a feature this can have quite an effect on your page count.

Thoughts????

Does it matter? Is it personal preference?

Are you talking about the spacing between action lines and a following scene heading? Read though Dave's script(which is excellent by the way), and I wasn't distracted or bothered by the spacing at all. I use celtx, cuz I'm a cheap bastard, and it does the same thing when I convert to PDF.

Zack

I think fashion comes and goes and affects what's current.

Industry Standard used to be cut and dried:

Here's the Simply one:

https://simplyscripts.com/WR_format.html

and, Nichol:

https://www.oscars.org/nicholl/screenwriting-resources

http://messageboard.donedealpro.com/boards/showthread.php?t=1340

Triple spacing (two blank lines before a slugline) is in vogue but not what would be considered "standard"....

I wasn't aware of this. I just do what FD has set out.

Has it changed? I didn't know. Extra spacing will inflate page count. I can't imagine by much but if you add Orphans you could be in big trouble.  

Quoted from Zack Are you talking about the spacing between action lines and a following scene heading? Read though Dave's script(which is excellent by the way), and I wasn't distracted or bothered by the spacing at all. I use celtx, cuz I'm a cheap bastard, and it does the same thing when I convert to PDF. Zack

Yes that is what I'm talking about.

It's not an issue of whether it is a bother, but it can, and will have an effect on page count.

Quoted from LC I think fashion comes and goes and affects what's current. Industry Standard used to be cut and dried: Here's the Simply one: https://simplyscripts.com/WR_format.html and, Nichol: https://www.oscars.org/nicholl/screenwriting-resources http://messageboard.donedealpro.com/boards/showthread.php?t=1340 Triple spacing (two blank lines before a slugline) is in vogue but not what would be considered "standard".... I wasn't aware of this. I just do what FD has set out. Has it changed? I didn't know. Extra spacing will inflate page count. I can't imagine by much but if you add Orphans you could be in big trouble.

So SS is the same with 2.

And Nicholl:

Quoted Text Fifteen foibles that might invoke a poor first impression (based only on a script’s title page and page one): Lack of spacing between scene header and description and/or between description and dialogue and/or between dialogue and dialogue.

Hmm....

Thanks for the resources

You're welcome. People like to keep changing it up I suppose. I'm gonna stick with the Standard as it looks fine.

I put this one in the same category as the recent orphans discussion... who gives a ****

Go with the default in your software and don't stress it.

Quoted from AnthonyCawood I put this one in the same category as the recent orphans discussion... who gives a **** Go with the default in your software and don't stress it.

Well the only reason I would give a shit would be the extra pages. You may only have a few orphans in your script, but in a feature you will more than likely have a lot of scenes, that's a lot of extra lines.

Regardless, I'm sticking with the default. That's more or less what everyone seems to agree on.

Whatever FD sets is good for me. BTW - FD defaults to the US standard. If are submitting to a UK producer or UK based competition, the UK standard is a bit different and does affect the page length. You have to alter it to A4 but I never have and as far as I'm aware, it's never been an issue on either side of the pond.

One thing to note about FD. As you type and edit away, it does insert random spaces and lines that it shouldn't. Always worth using the format assistant option when you've finished to tidy the script up.

Quoted from MarkRenshaw One thing to note about FD. As you type and edit away, it does insert random spaces and lines that it shouldn't. Always worth using the format assistant option when you've finished to tidy the script up.

I do love this tool.

It gives me a strange satisfying kick seeing all those little space close up.

I've always used the standard two spaces before a scene heading, one space after.  Never received a single complaint about it.

There were quite a few heated discussions over this back in the day, here at SS.

I back using 2 blank lines leading into the new Slug and 1 following it.  It just looks so much cleaner and adds white space.  Most importantly, it makes the read much easier.

I use Movie Magic and can very easily set this...and have it set as my default.

Funny, how peeps all of a sudden start thinking about the extra pages "this" causes, as well as bringing up orphans again.

And this is truly key, as both double spacing and orphans (overwriting) can easily cause 10, even 20 extra pages.  Throw in breaking up passages correctly (1 shot, thought, description per passage), and it should become clear how important it is to write effectively, using the limited space you have available.  

I've done it both ways (Note: talking about spacing...)

I think my preference is the two spaces before a scene heading.

It'll add one or two pages over an entire script.

However - I like - just for visual purposes - only one space when it's a mini-slug. Didn't so that on the last draft - but will when I finish tidying up.

Thanks for all the input. I will be sticking with the 2 before 1 after. I agree that it looks a lot better on the page

Quoted from eldave1 I've done it both ways (Note: talking about spacing...)

Haha