What Not To Do When Writing A Screenplay

Ken Levine (writer/producer for several famous sitcoms) had his daughter Annie give a few tips about what not to do with your script if you ever want it to see daylight. It's great advice, especially in a field where having the wrong format alone can kill your chances. I would just add one thing to the list: the maximum length of your script depends on the venue. Taking into account the generally accepted formula that one page equals one minute, 115-120 pages is fine for a screenplay, while a full-length stage play is better off at 90. A one-act should be half that.

Yes, I realize Annie Levine's post is discussing screenplays only, but I thought that point might need clarification since some folks might not make the distinction.

Play Time

I was speaking with a friend of mine last night--a Stanford student who was lucky enough to land an internship at Google. (We're talking brilliant--this kid thinks up math games just for fun.) We got to talking, and I mentioned how I was working on a new stage play. As it turns out, he has some friends in the theatrical field at Stanford whom he might be able to pass my scripts along to.

It's not often I get such a generous offer from someone, so of course I let him know I was interested. Especially Stanford, the university that's first on my list for med school! As with all offers of exposure I'm well aware it may not go anywhere, but at least I'll have pursued it.

Now I just have to get my you-know-what in gear and polish off the rest of my script before that offer evaporates.