Writing Blog

20220616 Industry Expectations

June 16, 2022, 2:00pm

Writing. After finishing a novel, I often churn out a quickfire series of shorter works as excess ideas just need their release as well. I've written a couple of poems and short stories and an idea for my next novel is churning in my head. That one I think I'll leave as a series of notes until November and use it for NaNoWriMo this year. Gives my head a chance to churn it over before hitting my planned 75k words in a month.

Anyway, one idea that has come to me is a movie script. Or animation script. Or graphic novel script. It involves Advanced Dungeons & Dragons (first edition - I find everything after 2nd Edition takes away from the imagination and challenge of the game) and I think it could go okay.


But that's what I thought I'd write about here. When writing certain things, there are expectations. And when it comes to movie scripts, those expectations are tough. I was sent a MS Word template by the Australian Film Institute, and have since discovered with one exception (the preferred font), that it is pretty much universal.

That is why this piece in my portfolio is written and presented like it is - it follows the expectations of the industry:

Last One  (18+) Script for film, animation or graphic novel. 1930 words. About Greek mythology. TW: death #2274245 by s

So, before submitting or creating a portfolio for show, this is just an indication that you need to ensure what you have conforms to expectations. They get so many pieces that if you do something different "to stand out", you will be rejected instantly because you cannot follow instructions and so are seen as difficult to work with from the word go.

For written work - use Shunn formatting. For poetry - use Oxbridge formatting. For children's picture books - every company is different.

But every company will throw something else into the mix, just to see if you can follow instructions essentially.

So, if submitting - good luck!

Oh, have you bought your copy of this yet? Paperback, ebook and audiobook.

ASIN: B09JGDNQML	Invasive Species Product Type: Kindle Store
	Amazon's Price: $ 7.99 Buy Now!