FORMATTING YOUR SCRIPT SUBMISSION
In order to submit your screenplay to the Your Big Break website, you’ll need to cut and paste your work into the text box that appears as part of the submission process. The box accepts plain text only.
In order to ensure that your screenplay appears on the site exactly as you intend it to, we recommend formatting it with all elements aligned with the left-hand side of the page. For example:
FADE IN:
INT. DIRECTOR’S OFFICE – DAY
THE DIRECTOR hunches over a laptop. Fingers blur across the the keyboard. The Director is intent, determined.
DIRECTOR (mutters): Must … get … Big … Break …
At last, the Director sits back, the task complete.
CUT TO:
EXT. QUEENSTOWN AIRPORT – DAY
A passenger plane touches down. A CROWD races across the tarmac, surrounding the plane. The door opens and the Director appears, screenplay under one arm. The crowd goes wild. The Director raises one fist in the air, triumphant.
FADE OUT
Granted, that miniature opus is unlikely to get me my own big break – but you get the idea! Stand by for more basic – and some advanced – writing tips in future blogs …
– Your Big Break Critic
_
Thanks for the advice! Oh, and I think you should win with that glorious script.
There is no place to upload your screenplay. There is just a place to upload images and video. Any help?
Kevin.
Hi Kevin, the upload process is a linear one – after you’ve uploaded your image or video, you will then proceed to the script upload screen.
Thanks Kellie – but I think there would be some raised eyebrows around here if the Your Big Break Critic took out the big prize – especially with a 30 second film!
Disregard my last question. I understand after reading your “The Truth About Slugs” posting on Twitter that you want a proper script format.
My script and video will be posted by Monday.
p.s. I booked a trip 3 months ago for Jan 25-Feb 24. What a great coincidence! I would love nothing more than to make this a working vacation.
Thank you,
Ed Huber
Hi Ed, you’re welcome to submit your screenplay in any format you like – the Screenwriting Tips are intended to provide guidelines only with regard to script format. But we would recommend supplying as detailed a document as you can in order to present as clear and compelling a picture of your film as possible.
Hi there,
I have just found this post and I hate the way my script ‘The List’ looks on my page.
Is there any way to format it without losing my views and votes?
Or do I have to submit everything again?
Thanks,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,david.
salut,
i have ripped all the flesh of my script to its solid and honest bones. i have visualized all the scenes and labeled them with time codes that tally up to 3min. the story has 4 locations but require minimal set-up. i have lived in Queenstown and know these locations well. what more can i do to really hit home that although my script looks ambitious it has precise planning and enough personal stock footage to get the story done both within the 2 days of filming and the 3 minute constraint?
thanks
Hi Tim, I’d say the best way to have it hit home is to let us know – which you’ve just done! Perhaps add the comment above to your entry (if it hasn’t already been uploaded), or leave a comment on the entry (if it has) reiterating what you told us above. Good luck with your submission!
Hi David – unfortunately you will lose your views and votes if you edit your entry. It’s up to you whether or not you’d like to do so – if you don’t mind me saying so, however, I’ve checked out your entry and I think it reads absolutely fine. We’re all aware of the limitations that plain text places upon proper script formatting and the main thing is, your idea is communicated strongly and clearly.