The Screenwriter App Screenplay Test
You've finished the test! Here's how you scored:
Your script is 53% 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've read my script backwards, as well as forwards.This is a great way to weed out plot inconsistencies. By starting with the last scene and then working backwards, your linear story-telling functions are befuddled, and quite often mistakes in plotting jump out at you.
I used a professional screenwriting tool, such as the Screenwriter app, Final Draft, Celtx or Movie Magic Screenwriter, to format my script
What?! Download the Screenwriter app right now! It's a fraction of the cost of the big screenwriting packages and will format your script professionally. There should be no reason to use a standard word processor.
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.
My dialogue is littered with multiple exclamation marks!!!
If you listen to people when they talk, they rarely get agitated enough to exclaim something in a way that would need an exclamation mark if it were written. Yet, we all have a tendency to overdo the dialogue in our scripts. Read your dialogue aloud when you write it. Does it require three exclamation marks after it, or would one, or even none, suffice?
My action sections are littered with expletives.
This is really just a call-out to be sensitive to all the other people that will read your script. Most would accept bad language from characters, but a lot of swearing in your action sequences just makes you look potty-mouthed. Others may find that offensive.
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 the words 'CUT TO:' at the end of every scene.
Putting CUT TO: at the end of the scene is redundant. It's the end of the scene, of course you are going to cut to something else. All you've done is add an extra page to your screenplay of useless information. Get rid of them!