Three Common Problems

Spelling and Grammar: Check and double-check your spelling and grammar. Anyone you send a script to (production company, analyst, etc) is likely to be someone with a love of words. Abusing the English language will not make them look favorably on your work.

Format: You have to get the format right. The simplest way to avoid formatting problems is to use screenwriting software. Final Draft is the most popular scriptwriting software, but Movie Magic Screenwriter is also fine, or look for free software like CeltX - but whatever you do, make sure your script is properly formatted. Poor formatting is the mark of an amateur.

Length: This is one area of life where size does count - and in this case being too long is often the problem. Scripts should be between 90 and 120 pages. Any shorter than that and it's not really a feature film, any longer and it's getting too long, which has budget implications. Either way, a script that is either too long or too short suggests that you don't have control of your craft - it's your job as a screenwriter to write a script within those parameters.

FROM: "Three Common Problems That Will Doom Your Screenplay" at Buzzle.com