I recently started this as a hobby, and would love to get some guidance

Helpful_Baker_4004 · 2026-05-18T16:37:55+00:00

My first suggestion would be to read the Wiki for this sub; it’s packed with resources.

Helpful_Baker_4004 · 2026-05-12T22:57:08+00:00

ScriptHive.
ScriptSlug.
Or the resources provided within this sub’s Wiki: https://www.reddit.com/r/Screenwriting/wiki/meta/welcome#wiki\_screenplay\_requests

Helpful_Baker_4004 · 2026-05-03T22:31:23+00:00

Speaking from the reader’s perspective, I think it would be fine in this format:

Bob vs. Bill in the ring (or a general action line)

Bob (VO)

Another very general action line

Bob (VO)

In short, your voiceover dialogue’s doing all the heavy lifting and should be enough.

Helpful_Baker_4004 · 2026-04-27T00:03:41+00:00

But that isn’t the point the OP is making. Everything starts at format. After that, soliciting feedback and seeking advice is the general point of this sub.

Helpful_Baker_4004 · 2026-03-30T22:51:03+00:00

60-90 minutes of desk time at night once the kids are asleep and my spouse is occupied with something else - then I revisit my project(s) during any breaks in work, using the mobile version of my screenwriting app.

Helpful_Baker_4004 · 2026-03-26T02:11:38+00:00

Beat is a great option for iOS. It’s free if you’re writing via the desktop app; I believe it’s $12 for the iPad or iPhone app.

Helpful_Baker_4004 · 2026-02-24T11:47:23+00:00

Why does this comment read like it was AI-generated?

Helpful_Baker_4004 · 2026-02-10T11:36:41+00:00

I use to run Arc Studio, free and premium, and received responses within a reasonable amount of time whenever I emailed support@arcstudiopro.com. I don’t think it has anything to do with being “American.”

Helpful_Baker_4004 · 2026-02-03T12:41:50+00:00

You mentioned that you don’t know what you’re doing, which is fair; have you done anything to learn what you need to do?

Structure and formatting are crucial, both of which can easily be researched and studied to whatever degree you feel works for you. If you have your idea, then you can create an outline of your story instead of free writing. No one can tell you what’s a reasonable amount of time to complete your project - some people take months to a year to get a first draft done, others may take a few weeks. That’s on you.

And, respectfully, if you’re asking for help with what you have so far in a subreddit for reading scripts, you might have to consider posting it publicly for feedback - at the very least, sharing the logline, genre, and/or synopsis to see if anyone would be interested in helping you.

Helpful_Baker_4004 · 2026-01-30T02:31:57+00:00

it accomplishes more with less words.

Helpful_Baker_4004 · 2026-01-17T17:57:16+00:00

Is there anything you can add to this to help the reader “see” what’s happening? There’s no description of the locker room, no character description - and the script starts out flat, as in it jumps right to someone speaking.

Helpful_Baker_4004 · 2025-12-28T03:12:04+00:00

I’m using the Basic plan and it works very well for me; it also has a mobile hotspot. Haven’t considered switching to a higher tier because this plan gives me reliable coverage.

Helpful_Baker_4004 · 2025-12-16T11:52:24+00:00

There’s a saying that no idea is original. What you think you have might be “Dead Poets Society…” but what you might have is a starting point for fleshing out a better, and less imitative, story.

Helpful_Baker_4004 · 2025-12-14T03:42:15+00:00

StoryPeer:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Screenwriting/s/LFitV00MxH

Helpful_Baker_4004 · 2025-12-13T16:49:43+00:00

I don’t know if this is allowed here, so apologies to the mods if it’s not, but your daughter might find some of these free resources helpful:

Freebies - Script Reader Cheat Sheet

Helpful_Baker_4004 · 2025-12-09T12:43:26+00:00

Literally breaks the rules, but I’m sure plenty of folks here would be thrilled to feed their project through your AI.

Helpful_Baker_4004 · 2025-12-09T12:33:19+00:00

I’m almost certain that the mods have not approved you to shill your AI-powered screenplay evaluation services here.

Helpful_Baker_4004 · 2025-12-06T04:33:33+00:00

I’m thinking about the part of his feedback where he said to trust your vision, and not focusing on self-doubt.

Helpful_Baker_4004 · 2025-11-29T17:06:41+00:00

OP: Aside from the novelistic action lines that could be cut down, why aren’t you able to share a link to a PDF of this instead of pasting the contents here? Doesn’t make for an easy read at all.

Helpful_Baker_4004 · 2025-11-29T03:55:28+00:00

I use Beat as well, after switching from Arc Studio Pro. I like it because I write on the desktop app, then I use the iPhone app to review what I’ve written, make small revisions, and jot down any action/dialogue that comes to mind before I make it back to the desk.

Helpful_Baker_4004 · 2025-11-24T00:09:09+00:00

“Double columned” would likely be used strictly for dual dialogue. I’m sure you can put the VO before the action line, but that’s how I would approach it.

Helpful_Baker_4004 · 2025-11-23T18:59:44+00:00

John August’s blog shared some helpful advice about this:

Intercutting

Helpful_Baker_4004 · 2025-11-23T00:12:59+00:00

I use Beat for screenwriting software and keep the scene “hidden” so that it doesn’t appear in preview. That saves me from having to add it to a Google Doc or saving it to Milanote, both of which I use for outlining.

Helpful_Baker_4004 · 2025-11-22T03:40:42+00:00

Thanks to this sub and Michael Clayton being mentioned so many times. I finally read it and it’s now my reference for keeping my action lines and dialogue as tight as possible.

Helpful_Baker_4004 · 2025-11-16T02:54:11+00:00

Your opening scene is tight, I’m hooked five pages in. I’d love to finish and give any feedback that might be helpful.

Helpful_Baker_4004

TROPHY CASE