Billy Mernit, rom-com script guru & author, has a great hook to get his UCLA Extension Writers' Program students to be prompt to class: He promises them a Million Dollar Screenplay Tip at the beginning of every class. If you're 5 min. late, you'll miss it.
He shares 5 tips this week on his blog: http://livingromcom.typepad.com/my_weblog/
Billy's tips are, as always fantastic, but I especially like this line :
"...readers - the biz's first line of resistance - are often the most curmudgeonly sticklers of all when it comes to format and length."
He is SO right. I have noticed as I cover more & more scripts I have become a virtual Scrooge.
He speaks of what I label the Golden Triad:
1. WHITE FREAKIN' SPACE - Have you read my blog on Vertical Reading? Have you? Read it again.
2. Traditional format - He notes that "continuous" in slug lines is passe. How many of you are still including the "cut to:"?
3. Shorter scripts. 'Nuff said.
WHAT I KNOW: Sing it, Billy. You know me too well.
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