It is tough dealing with disappointment. I know I have had my share of disappointing moments. In high school, I  really wanted to be a cheerleader. I knew every routine, every cheer, attended every football game, and even understood football. I attended pep rallies, bought spirit ribbons from the cheerleaders, and sat in the loudest cheering section during all the home games, and even attended many away games. How I longed to be a cheerleader, and each year I tried out, but never made the squad.

My mother was proud of my ‘bounce back’ attitude and I would usually move on to my next project and return my focus back to theatre. However, even there I had major disappointments. I, of course, wanted to be an actress and tried out for most of the shows, only never to be cast. Yep, this theatre major never had a ‘role’ in high school, but was always involved backstage, whether stage managing, or set construction, lights or publicity. It was not until college, that I was cast in my first production and had a hand full of roles I performed, but ironically, after college, my focus went back to being behind-the-scenes, and I am now perfectly happy there.

Did my failures shape who I am today? You bet, because I learned and grew from my experiences. Sure, there are things that still hurt and I wished I could change, but it just was not meant to be and there was another purpose.

As a mother, I found disappointment to be even more heart-wrenching when happening to my own child. You watch your child give their all, only to fall short of their goal. My oldest son participated in a royal court coordination last night for our county, representing his high school. He did a fine job, and I am proud of him for even trying, but when his name was not called, I could see the disappointment evident on his face as he stood there on the stage. I blinked back tears, because I knew this was rough for him; however, I hope he learned from the experience, although it will take time. 

When introducing my son to the audience last night, I was asked to give three adjectives to describe him. I said, “He’s creative, sensitive, tall (I had to add an extra one) and has an amazing singing voice.” He may not how been selected to the court, but he’s a winner in my book. 

Screenplays are not a literary form, like a novel, but are more like a blueprint for movies and television shows.

Today’s belief is that less is more when it comes to camera directions, unless you plan to direct the production yourself.  Gone is the close up, cut to, dissolve to, wide shot and high angle.  Movie and television scripts shouldn’t include camera directions as a rule, but there is some latitude if a specific camera shot or movement is necessary to move the narrative forward or reveal a joke.  The character’s action is what should move the story forward from scene to scene.

Basic Formatting:
On the average, one page of dialogue equals about a minute to a minute and a half of film.  Television shows are approximately 46 minutes without commercials, and a one-hour television script can range from 35 to 50 pages.

The format for a screenplay is fairly simple.  It begins with a FADE IN, always in caps an on the left-hand margin, and ends with FADE OUT, always in caps and on the right-hand margin.  If you want your screenplay to appear professional, the industry standard font is Courier and font size 12, and the margins for top, right and bottom are one inch; the left margin is set at 1 1/2 inches to allow for binding.

The most important transition is the SCENE HEADING, or what is sometimes called the slug line.  It starts with interior or exterior (letting the crew know if the shot will be inside or outside) and is always capitalized and abbreviated.  Also in the scene heading is the location.  Keep it brief.  In addition, the time of the scene needs to be a part of the line.  Time of the scene examples may include things like day, night, dusk, early morning, early evening, midnight, later, much later, next morning, week later, etc.  The use of the dash between the elements is the only punctuation.  The scene heading is always capitalized.

EXT. DOUGHNUT SHOT — EARLY MORNING

With this scene heading, we have established the scene takes place outside a doughnut shop in the early morning.  This is followed usually by a brief description of the scene or action.

The scene opens and we see a doughnut shop on a street located somewhere in Georgetown.  Painted on the outside window are the words, “Donut Express”.

The person speaking is capitalized and appears at the top of the dialogue.  Also capitalized is the first appearance of a character noted in the description.  Every moment in a screenplay takes place now, so use the active, not passive, voice.

DOTTY has made it through the busy shop and now stands a counter.  She talks to others around her, but no one seems to be listening.

DOTTY
I don’t usually buy doughnuts.  Not a healthy breakfast choice.

Basic Camera Directions Screenwriters Should Know (for when the specific camera angle is important):

ANGLE–another view of the previous shot
CLOSE UP–tightly frames a person or object
MONTAGE–a series of scenes
O.C.–off camera
DISSOLVE TO–a slow transition from one scene to another
POV–seen from the eye of the character
INSERT–to highlight an object in the scene
INTERCUT–two scenes cutting back and forth between locations simultaneously (for example, during a phone call)
V.O–voice over
B.G.–background
FREEZE FRAME–the illusion of a still photograph
PAN–stationary camera pivots back and forth or up and down

Script Presentation Guidelines:
There are several screenwriting software options available.  Find one that works best for you, otherwise, you will be formatting all day instead of writing.  However, dialogue should be 10 spaces from the left margin and no more than 60 spaces long.  The actor’s instructions start 16 spaces from the left margin and are no longer than two inches.  The character’s name should be 22 spaces from the left margin.

Crossposted on Lia London's website. Follow her series on "Screenwriting" for more tips. 

I am very proud of my oldest son. Michael has had to overcome a number of challenges throughout his life. He struggles with anxiety, ADHD, and PDD; however, he has handled his challenges with a great deal of maturity, confidence, and honestly.

He is a senior this year in high school and recently turned in his senior reflection paper, discussing his experiences and achievements. I was very impressed by his goal statements. He wants to graduate from high school, work for a year, go on a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and go to college and earn a degree in elementary education. He loves working with children and would like to become a second grade school teacher someday.

This last year, he’s been getting above average grades, worked hard towards getting his driver’s license (still needs to take the driving test), has 100% seminary attendance, sings in the church choir, participated in a high school talent show (singing Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire”), joined DECA, and took home a third place ribbon at a regional leadership competition and plans to compete at the State meet. Michael is also active in theatre, and won stage manager and directing awards. In addition, he became a contestant for the Forest Festival royal court, and recently completed all the requirements to earn the rank of Eagle Scout.

He is a very sensitive and loving child; yet, he continues to stress over the little things, is currently fighting some personal demons, and worries if he is worthy enough to go on a mission. However, I am astounded by his growth this year. Yes, there have been some obstacles, but also some major accomplishments. I am proud of my shy, little (6’8”) boy!