The Screenwriter App Screenplay Test
You've finished the test! Here's how you scored:
Your script is 66% good.
Before you submit it to any readers, take some time to review the report below and amend your script accordingly. Then retake the test...
Your screenplay report
I try to put one shot per paragraph of action.By breaking up your action paragraphs so each line/paragraph is one single shot, you can tell the visual story in a clear and concise way.
Multiple actions or shots within one paragraph make it harder for the reader to understand what's going on and for the crew to decide what needs to be shot.
My script has a lot of action paragraphs that are more than three lines long.
The screenplay is a blueprint. If you have lots of dense paragraphs of action, it makes life difficult for readers, the crew, and director to figure out what's going on.
Stick to the 'one shot per line' rule. It will make the script far more readable, and force you to think in terms of what both what the viewer will see on the screen, and what the crew have to shoot to achieve that.
I have more than five parentheticals (wrylies) in the whole script.
Actors don't like to be told how to act. They like to get into the character and respond in natural ways. If you try to specify how they are to deliver a line through the use of wrylies, you will get their back up.
The only real legitimate use of wrylies is if the character is deliberately acting in a specific way that affects the story, or to clarify who is saying what to whom.
The word 'we' regularly appears in the action sections of my script. (for example, 'We see a huge spaceship fly into frame').
The word 'we' is always redundant. Remember, your script is a blueprint, it should be as concise as possible.
Just stick to the facts and describe them as simply as possible. Instead of 'We see the robot move across the room,' simply say, 'The robot moves across the room.' It's far more direct and keeps the reader in the story.
The FADE IN: on the first line of my script is on the right-hand side of the page.
This is a minor thing, but it does aggravate many readers and tends to call out the pros from the amateurs.
The first FADE IN: of a script should be on the left. The logic being that this isn't a proper transition, as there is nothing to FADE IN from.
The final FADE OUT: should on the right (the logic slightly failing there, but hey!). If you are using professional software like the Screenwriter app, Movie Magic Screenwriter or Final Draft, this will be positioned for you.