Not sure what to put on your screenplay title page? Here are 8 keys to making your screenplay title page looks as professional, and kick ass, as possible.
2. #1: KEEP IT SIMPLE
Look like a pro and go minimal
Nothing screams amateur like graphics, colors, and loud fonts. (You
wouldn’t believe how many writers send in scripts with graphics.) Keep
your title page clean, MINIMAL, and to the basics. No extras! (Yes, this
means DON’T write your title on the spine either.)
3. #2: CHOOSE THE RIGHT PAPER
Turns out, paper type matters
Your screenplay title page should NOT have special paper-- it should be
white, unscented, un-bedazzled. Just a normal, plain sheet of white paper
with your info. Your words should stand out, NOT your title page.
4. #3: BE CONSISTENT
Use the same font!
You may be tempted to change up the font on your title page. Something in
script to suit your British period piece, perhaps, but RESIST that urge!
Nothing screams "I've never written a screenplay before" like non-
traditional font. Stick to Courier, 12-- the same font your screenplay
SHOULD be in.
5. #4: STAY CENTERED
The title needs to be centered
So what goes on the title page? The title, of course! Four inches from the
top, smack dab in the center of the page, you NEED to write your title in
ALL CAPS and underline it. Two lines below your title, add "Written by" or
"Screenplay by" and two lines below that, also centered, put your NAME.
6. #5: TEAMWORK
What if you're not the sole screenwriter?
If you collaborated with other writers, you'll NEED to list their names on
the title page as well. If it's a team of writers, use the "&" sign between
names. If multiple writers worked independently, use "and."
7. #6: CALL ME, MAYBE
The great contact info debate
Your contact information NEEDS to go on the bottom-left corner for a spec
with no spaces between lines. Classically, this would be your name,
address and phone number. This is the 21st century though, and you know
they won't MAIL you a response -- your email address is all you need, but
you can throw a phone number in too if you want to follow the traditional
rules.
8. #7: TO LIVE & DIE
(OUTSIDE) OF L.A.
What if you don't live in SoCal?
In the past, if you didn't have an LA area code, execs wouldn't bother
reading your screenplay. This is less true now that EVERYONE uses cell
phones. (You can always get a Google Voice number with an LA area code.)
Just make sure to skip the cutesy AOL email from your early-internet days.
9. #8: “TODAY, IS THE
GREATEST…”
Include the date, yay or nay?
There's debate about this as well. If you want to put the date on your
screenplay, you'd put it on the bottom right corner, but many writers opt to
LEAVE this off. (Unless you’re required to turn in a revision draft, this is
probably best.) You want your screenplay to LOOK as new as possible
whenever someone picks it up to read.
10. #9: BIND IT!
Bind your screenplay with “Brad”
Once your screenplay title page is DONE and READY to go, make sure it's
triple-hole punched and bound with only the sturdy brass brads like the
ones ACCO(R) sells. Flimsy versions aren't what the professionals use and
you don't want to look like newb. Also, it's commonly accepted that spec
scripts ONLY use two fasteners even though there are three holes.
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