10 Essential Steps Before Submitting Screenplay

Ever feel that nagging doubt before submitting your screenplay?

Discover the essential “things to do before submitting a screenplay” to ensure your work stands out.

We’ll guide you through practical steps like optimizing your script and preparing for feedback.

Whether you’re a seasoned writer or a beginner, these tips promise to enhance your creative process and increase your chances of success in the competitive world of screenwriting.

1. Perfect Your Screenplay Format

First impressions matter, especially in the world of screenwriting. To ensure your screenplay catches the right eyes, it’s crucial to adhere to industry-standard formatting. This isn’t just about keeping appearances—it’s about clarity and professionalism. Every agent, producer, and contest judge expects a uniform presentation. Let’s get into how you can achieve this:

• Use the right software: Tools like Final Draft and Scrivener can help you nail the perfect format seamlessly.
• Stick to the standard font and size: Courier 12-point is the go-to choice in the industry. This creates a uniform look that people are used to reading.
• Pay attention to margins and spacing: Margins should generally be about 1.5 inches on the left and 1 inch on the right, top, and bottom. Keep dialogue centered and maintain consistent spacing.
• Master scene headings and transitions: Use INT. or EXT. to guide scenes inside or outside, followed by the location and time. This helps your reader visualize the action instantly.

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2. Focus on Strong Character Development

Characters are the heart of your screenplay. They drive the plot, draw in your audience, and keep the narrative compelling. To make sure your characters resonate:

• Define their goals and motivations: Every character, especially your protagonist and antagonist, should have clear, strong motivations that steer their actions.
• Create backstories: Even if it’s not fully explored in the script, a rich backstory can inform how characters interact on the page.
• Show development: Characters should evolve through the story. Track how they learn or change as a result of the plot’s events.
• Craft distinct voices: Your characters should speak in a way that reflects their background, personality, and circumstance. Authentic dialogue can make or break believability.

Reflect on how characters drive your story. If they seem flat, explore deeper complexities or relationships.

3. Sharpen the Dialogue

Dialogue is an art that breathes life into your screenplay, providing insight into your characters and forwarding your plot. When refining dialogue:

• Avoid exposition dumps: Instead of using dialogue to explain everything, let the context and action fill in the gaps.
• Keep it realistic and concise: Real conversations meander, but screenplay dialogue should punch. Edit ruthlessly for brevity without losing meaning.
• Give each character a unique voice: Ensure that dialogue differentiates characters, reflecting their background, motivations, and attitudes.
• Include subtext: What isn’t said is often more powerful than what is. Use subtext to show hidden desires and tensions.

Remember, dialogue should feel natural, so read it aloud. This will highlight any awkward phrasing or repetitiveness.

4. Tighten the Story Structure

Story structure is the backbone of your screenplay, guiding viewers through a satisfying journey with your characters. To refine your structure:

1. Set up a strong beginning, middle, and end: Each act has its purpose—hook in the beginning, confront in the middle, resolve in the end.
2. Escalate the stakes: As your story progresses, make sure the stakes intensify. This will keep the tension high and prevent your audience from losing interest.
3. Integrate turning points skillfully: Key moments should shift the direction of the story, forcing characters to confront new challenges or reassess goals.
4. Maintain consistent pacing: Ensure your story flows smoothly, with enough breathing room for quieter moments and excitement in high-tension scenes.

A well-structured script captivates. Assess each act and ensure it’s fulfilling its narrative purpose effectively.

5. Seek Feedback and Revise

There’s no better way to refine your screenplay than throwing it into the arena of thoughtful feedback. Gathering input from fresh eyes can illuminate issues you might’ve overlooked. Here’s how to make the most of this crucial step:

• Select the right readers: Choose people whose opinions you value—trusted peers, mentors, script analysts.
• Ask pointed questions: Guide feedback by asking specific questions about characters, plot, dialogue, and pacing.
• Stay open to critique: Not every point will resonate, but it’s important to listen and consider seriously.
• Revise based on actionable feedback: Focus on suggestions that improve clarity, engagement, and cohesiveness.

Iterate, reflect, and mold your screenplay into something truly riveting. Good feedback positions your screenplay to make waves.

6. Proofread for Grammar and Typos

Typos and grammar errors can distract from your masterpiece, drawing attention away from craft and creativity. Polishing your screenplay means:

• Read it aloud: This helps catch awkward phrasing and overlooked errors.
• Focus on one thing at a time: Start with spelling, then grammar, and finally, flow.
• Use tools but don’t rely on them: Spell-checkers are a great start, but they miss context. Tools like Grammarly catch more subtle errors.
• Get another set of eyes: A fresh look from someone not well-marinated in your work can catch missed spots.

Having a polished script free of errors ensures the reader focuses on what truly matters—the story you’re telling.

7. Create a Compelling Logline

Your logline is your screenplay’s first handshake with anyone reading it. This single sentence must encapsulate the essence of your entire story, distilling the protagonist’s journey, main conflict, and stakes into a concise, captivating package. It’s pivotal for both attracting interest and setting expectations.

• Focus on the protagonist: Clearly define who your story is about and what drives them.
• State the conflict: This is the heart of your story. What challenge or opposition does your protagonist face?
• Highlight the stakes: Why should we care? The stakes should make it clear what’s to be won or lost.

Crafting a powerful logline requires balance—a teaser that intrigues but doesn’t give away too much. A well-phrased logline can be a beacon that draws producers to your work.

8. Prepare a Synopsis

A synopsis is like a mini-map of your screenplay’s world. It provides a glimpse into your script, outlining key events, character arcs, and thematic elements. The challenge lies in crafting this narrative summary without losing the nuance of your full story.

1. Start with the basics: Introduce your main characters and the setting succinctly.
2. Outline the main plot points: Don’t hold back on plot details. Summarize each act’s main events.
3. Conclude with the resolution: Make it clear how your story resolves any conflicts or questions.

An effective synopsis is comprehensive yet concise, inviting interest by providing a thorough look while retaining its excitement.

9. Research Submission Guidelines

Consider submission guidelines as the unwritten rules of the screenwriting game. They ensure your screenplay doesn’t buckle under unnecessary technical snags during submission processes across various avenues—whether it’s for contests, production companies, or agencies.

• Look for specific instructions: Each destination may have unique requirements regarding length, format, or additional documents.
• Adhere to deadlines: The best scripts fail if they’re late.
• Tailor submissions individually: While it’s tempting to mass-submit, personalized packages signal professionalism.

Following the guidelines respects those processing your work—it’s the least you can do before asking them to consider it.

10. Protect Your Work Legally

Your screenplay is both a creation and an investment, deserving protection from duplication, unauthorized adaptations, and infringement. Luckily, securing your script proudly with legal protection is straightforward and crucial.

• Register with Write Guild of America (WGA): This registers your script with the industry guild, offering legal recognition and peace of mind.
• Consider copyrights: Depending on your region, you might want additional copyright protection, ensuring your intellectual property’s safety.

In an industry where ideas are the bedrock, protecting your original work preserves the effort you poured into your creative effort.

Screenplay Contests and Festivals

Screenplay contests and film festivals are invaluable for writers seeking recognition within vibrant creative communities. They open doors that might have remained unnoticed, providing both exposure and constructive criticism.

• Research reputable contests: Seek out those known for fair judging and recognition, aligning with your script’s style and genre.
• Prepare targeted submissions: Ensure any attached materials—like loglines or synopses—are suited to the contest’s audience and judges.
• Leverage feedback offered: Whether through critiques from judges or responses from festival audiences, feedback is gold.

By investing in contests, writers can test their ideas’ appeal and gain confidence from external validation and visibility.

Professional Script Analysts

For a deeper dive into honing your screenplay, hiring a professional script analyst can be a transformative decision. These industry veterans offer seasoned insights often unavailable in peer reviews or casual feedback.

• Select the right analyst: Look for someone who specializes in your genre and has a reputable portfolio.
• Understand the feedback: These insights are a treasure trove for improving both content and industry viability.
• Act on advice: Constructive critique means there’s a path forward. Develop your script with their analysis as a guide.

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Conclusion

Having executed these essential steps, your screenplay is as ready as it can be. By following these methods diligently, you’re framing your script not just to stand the test of time but in the best light for industry appeal. Keep refining and submitting fearlessly, maintaining faith in your creative process as you progress toward success.