Script Presentation

I know the standard thing is to present scripts on A4 double-spaced etc, but I've just printed my 46 page script out with four pages to a piece of A4 (1,2 then flip over for 3,4) and it feels so light at 12 pages.

This is just for editing purposes so I can take it with me, but I wonder with people trying to save paper now ("Do you want a cash receipt, seeing it on screen will save paper) and producers sighing at the prospect of another 40 odd page script to read whether this will become in vogue.

The producers will still have to read the 40 page script so I doubt it will come into vogue unless it's just as easy to read them half size, double sided.

Quote: David H @ July 1 2008, 11:16 AM BST

producers sighing at the prospect of another 40 odd page script to read whether this will become in vogue.

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I think it'd be a very stupid producer indeed who was more inclined to read a script with hundreds of tiny words per page than a standard, double-spaced, 12 Font sized, easy-to-read one.

I've had this conversation before with a few people - if you feel your script is too weighty, you need to cut down on your wordcount, not cram as many letters as you can onto a page.

Does anyone use micrfiche? May be a simple way of sending large scripts without the paper (at least until someone invents something better)

I've been sending my sitcoms to the BBC for 10 years now in microdots on post cards.

Post cards containing angry complaints about Allan Titmarsh, and Charlie Dimock. Angry sexual, complaints.

No luck though.

Quote: Griff @ July 1 2008, 1:39 PM BST

Yes, microfiche is the answer. I'm pretty sure most producers have a microfiche reader on their desk.

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I doubt that, but somewhere within their office there's bound to be one.

That's the point though. You could fit an entire script on a few sheets (even less if you print double sided)

Perhaps some sort of Bat Signal searchlight shining one page at a time on the moon.

Or maybe kidnap a BBC journalist, and make him read it out in full on his martyrdom video (maybe use the film crew, to act out all the parts).

Personally, I photograph my work page by page then rendezvous with producers on park benches, handing the script over in teeny tins of microfilm.

Quote: Griff @ July 1 2008, 2:27 PM BST

The writer's job is to make it as easy as possible for the producer to read his submission. If you believe microfiche is the way to do that, go for it.

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It's been successful so far.

I love the idea that the DG's desk has a computer, fax, one of those starfish phones, shredder, and a giant microfiche reader.

With a sign on it saying, warning only for Pete's submissions.

I send all my scripts written on individual cupcakes.

If they don't want to read it on the screen by way of the magic of Word Documents, then why on Earth would they want it on microfiche?

This thread is f**king bizarre.

Why not send scripts by Morse Code and have done with it?

Just to be clear - producers couldn't give two snots about how much paper you use! They just want to read clear, legible scripts either on their PCs, or neatly typed on ONE SIDE of A4 pages.

Any other medium, be it psychic thought-transference or scratching the words into a flayed prostitute's skin will only serve to piss producers off.

Perry Nuim the voice of reason.

Can I start posting in microfiche?

. . . .

That's the first 4 episodes of my sitcom, microfiche and chips.

It's about a computer programer, and a librarian who run a chippy.