I have just had a great idea for a film, but have never written a screenplay (my preferred area being children's/YA novels) so have no idea about layout, directions, how long a page of written words will last when it's spoken etc

Can anyone give me any tips on where to start - good book, good course?

thanks,

Freebird

This is a good place to start:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/

For layouts check out uploads in the sitcom and radio groups:
http://www.writewords.org.uk/groups/155.asp
http://www.writewords.org.uk/groups/115.asp

As for 'how long a page of written words will last' the best thing is to time yourself as you read through it. Add a bit more if you have sound effects and stage directions, etc.

thanks, Naomi - will check it out. Be good to have a go at something different!

Hi Freebird,

Film screenplay layout is a bit different from television formatting.

There are some places online where you can read scripts, for example:

http://www.script-o-rama.com/

You can learn about format from reading them. You can also read some good screenplays and some less good screenplays. You can figure out what you like.

Timing wise, the rule is one page = one minute. Getting layout right and not trying to cram too much on a page is important. Otherwise the production won't be able to predict correctly how long the film is going to be. Average feature film scripts are 80-120 pages. Shorter in Europe, longer in the USA.

Good luck,
Kate

The 'set text' for screenplay is Robert McKee's Story. It is a very good grounding in conventional narrative arcs in drama, and I think his ideas are endlessly flexible, though followed to the letter they are easily identifiable.

Syd Field's 'Screenplay' is an earlier, more basic version of the same ideas.

Good luck with it.

thanks,

will look out for these!