wales@valeria.cs.ucla.edu (Rich Wales) (01/12/91)
In article <1991Jan9.183249.24622@towernet.cc.bellcore.com> tmv@rigel.uucp (22655-Thomas M VandeWater(3330)m000) writes: Now, for others of us who may want to submit a script idea to Paramount, can you post, or send me, the fourth season script guidelines?? I have a copy of this material. (I sent Paramount an inquiry letter last month.) It's way too long to post, but I'll summarize it. (1) Scripts =must= either be submitted through an agent, or else include a standard release form (more on that below). Otherwise, the script will be returned unread. (2) A script should be 53-58 pages long. The teaser should be 3-5 pages long, and each act should be 9-10 pages long. (3) Scripts must be typed and bound on the left margin. Suggested bind- ing method (industry standard) is to use a 3-hold punch and brass brads (paper fasteners). Don't use fancy binders. (4) Standard TV script format is requested. (Most books on screen writ- ing discuss this format.) The guidelines included a sample page from the final "shooting script" of "Who Watches the Watchers". An explicit comment was made that scene numbers (a standard feature of shooting scripts, but not writer's scripts) are =not= required for script submissions. The sample script page included two features which, to the best of my knowledge, are =not= part of the standard script format. (a) The page has a "running header" with the show name, episode name, date, and act name -- in addition to the page number in the upper right hand corner. (Standard format calls for only a page number in the corner, followed by a period.) (b) The "CUT TO:" transition lines are omitted. Since ST:TNG never (or, at least, hardly ever) uses any kind of scene transition within an act other than a "hard cut", I suppose this makes sense, in addition to saving space. (5) Regarding story ideas, the guidelines are similar to comments in the Writer's Guide (available from Lincoln Enterprises). Stories should be primarily about =people=, not gadgets; "anything that touches on the experience of being human". Stories should focus on the main characters (especially crucial when guest characters are featured). Certain kinds of stories should be avoided: repetitive themes (war, peace mediation, ship breakdowns, etc.); overly expensive stories (lots of guest cast, lots of new sets, location shots); "galactic police" stories ("we are =not= 'space meddlers'"); fantasy, swords- and-sorcery, or melodrama. Also, stories involving the original ST series' characters -- or their descendants -- are taboo. I assume the 53-58 page length for scripts reflects two thoughts: Para- mount probably doesn't fully believe in the old "one page, one minute" rule of thumb for script length; and they want an extra margin for cuts. (The actual running time for each show -- exclusive of credits -- is, of course, roughly 43 minutes.) The release form basically requires you, the independent script writer, to agree to the following: (1) The material is original, and you own all rights to it as well as to its title. (2) Paramount can use material similar to yours if said material was derived independently (e.g., they can buy someone else's script even if it happens to contain some similar ideas). Any disputes in this regard shall be submitted to binding arbitration -- unless Paramount refuses to arbitrate, in which case you are free to sue them. (3) If Paramount does decide to use your material, they must pay you. (So they can't just reject it, and then go ahead and use it anyway without paying you.) My impression is that this release form is more or less standard, that no one anywhere in the industry gives anyone anything better than this, and that it's substantially the same kind of deal you would get if you submitted a script via an agent. The release is definitely =not= a blanket signing-away of all your rights to your script. Finally, with the guidelines and release form I received a long list of agents. Paramount cautions that they cannot recommend specific agents. To get your own copy of this information, write: Eric A. Stillwell Star Trek Script Coordinator Paramount Pictures 5555 Melrose Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90038-3197 The Writer's Guide can be obtained from Lincoln Enterprises (whose address and number I have misplaced, but I assume someone else on the net will come up with it). [Note - so now ya know. So now you'll stop asking ME... - ed] -- Rich Wales <wales@CS.UCLA.EDU> // UCLA Computer Science Department 3531 Boelter Hall // Los Angeles, CA 90024-1596 // +1 (213) 825-5683 "Close your eyes, my darling . . . well, three of them, at least!" -- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Edited by Jim "The Big Dweeb" Griffith - the official scapegoat for r.a.s.i. Email submissions to trek-info@dweeb.fx.com, and questions to trek-info-request@dweeb.fx.com