Screenwriting : Two spaces after every sentence? by Dave Begley

I use one space. Most scripts that I have read, pro or otherwise, have one space. But I have certainly seen two used as well. I believe it’s rather up to the writer and her/his personal preference. Writer’s choice. ;)

One space. Two is very outdated.

Two makes my writing breathe better... but I only use it in my books. In a script, I need every single space I can get... it's precious real estate.

My existential philosophy teacher said, "It's the spaces which allow for the Mystery of Nature to enter." After he finished a symphony, Beethoven'd go back and add the silences... makes the music flow.

It hardly matters, so what's your point?

The little realisation I have gain is that, it's not about how extraordinary your format is, the power of your story matters most. So it's better to keep your formatting on the amateur level and your story, if possible, above professional grounds... Make your storyline interesting and the reader will surely consider your formatting even if it's bad..

Felix, while I agree that the story and writing should be well done your formatting, however, should be equally so. It absolutely matters. Sorry, but poor formatting will distract a reader and get in the way of the story no matter how good it is. There is no official “amateur” level. There is only formatting. Either you know how to utilize it well or you don’t. But one or two spaces after a sentence is not really that relevant to screenwriting format. As Doug said, it hardly matters. Again, most writers use one space between sentences as that is more the general current norm in all writing. Grammar and writing software often flag an extra space after a sentence as a typo. So while it is rather a personal choice, it’s certainly falling out of writing favor.

Kay, I would never ever 'fix' a script: (1) it's not my property to 'fix', (2) I never had the time if I wanted to. If you submit a script and I 'fix' it - does that make me a co-writer (i think it does) which means that you must share the credit & money with me. I doubt that you want to do that.

Kay Luke, and that's what I meant by considering. If the story is really good, someone good will help by fixing what's wrong.. And Beth Fox Heisinger, you are right. It should go together, but if the studios are more into the formatting than the story itself as said by Kay Luke, then there will be much bad movies in the market.

It's been 10 years since I wrote a new script so a single space between sentences can mean the difference between a 2-line paragraph and a 3-liner, and I just began a new screenplay so this thread matters to me.

Like most things in this stupid business things tend to change. Years ago two spaces were what everyone did and then now it is one space.

A spec screenplay should be formatted like a spec screenplay. However, spacing after a sentence has nothing to do with formatting. Years ago all screenplays used two spaces after a sentence then later on one became the norm. If you want your screenplay to look like you didn't write it 20 years ago and couldn't sell it then use one space. However, nobody in their right mind would pass on a good screenplay just because someone used two spaces instead of one.

Exactly Dan. In 1995-6, Terry Rossio mentioned in AOL's Wordplay that if you can narrow a 4-line description paragraph, do so. I prefer 2 spaces between sentences. The words just breathe better, but it's nice to know I can use 1 space now. It helps trim paragraph size. But can you imagine us telling Dali or Picasso how to swoop their brushes?.

Felix, that's not what Kay Luke is saying and your statement or assumption is not true. No studio is "more into the formatting"—that doesn't even make sense? Poor formatting rather implies that the writer may not know what they are doing. That they don't understand the medium. If I start reading a script and notice a handful of typos and poor grammar and poor structure and poor format right at the start I'm going to stop reading because that writer has lost my confidence immediately. Plus those things are very distracting; they pull a reader out of the narrative. You can have a great story but if the execution of that story is poor then the story will be lost in the mess. Does that make sense, I hope? A reader working for a production company who is faced with reading thousands of submitted spec screenplays will reject those that lack professionalism. And why wouldn't they?

Brian, sorry... but the artists Dali and Picasso are of no comparison here or rather a false equivalency to writers using one or two spaces between sentences. Lol! Using one space between sentences fits with current writing trends, keeps lines and paragraphs shorter, and helps the reading itself flow more easily. The art, well that's in the substance. ;) Best to you!

Growing up in Detroit, I read a lot of Mitch Albom (Tuesdays with Morrie) newspaper columns... and he visually sculpts his columns... especially with dot-dot-dot ellipses to put in conscious pause. Just imitating success... ya know?

Good for you Brian Shell There is understanding beyond the obvious and banal that you bravely bring to the table, and call others on their lack of insight of it.

Thanks very much, Beth Fox Heisinger ..

The bottom line is that it is, indeed, antiquated. It was standard in the days of typewriters. Now, with the advent of computers and different fonts, that style has been phased out.

As a ghostwriter of books and blog posts, turning in anything with double spaces is a sure sign that I'm not a professional writer. I haven't done it for 20 some years...and when I do see it, I recognize that it doesn't come from a seasoned writer. They may be a good writer, but they're just not a seasoned writer in the industry.

I suppose this is why I was shocked when I got my first script writing software, because it forced two spaces.

While I don't believe a script will be thrown out the window because of it, I do maintain that we always keep up with best practices.

I like that I learned something new from this thread when I needed its answer. I literally said aloud last week, "I wonder if I can get away with 1 space instead of 2?" But I will not wear skinny ties (even if they are back in fashion)

The bottom line is the more you drift from what is considered the new norm the harder your screenplay will have to work to convince someone that it is worthy of further development or production as it stands.

When in Egypt, Walk Like an Egyptian

So last night I edited the first 4 pages of a new script I've got entirely outlined. I find it funny I thought I was cheating by using only 1 space to make the most of my script's real estate. Now though, I see the 2 spaces used a few times over those 4 pages. I remedied them all down to 1 this morning. It really does make a difference, visually. But 1 space does help me more in script format... so I'm grateful for this thread.

Can you imagine all the re-editing I would have had to do had I had 60-70 pages written and with scattered 2 spaces between many sentences? Oy!

2 spaces works better in my books. Different formats though. In my current 220 page manuscript I'm editing for publication, dense paragraphs with only one space would make my editing one heck of a bigger headache... especially at age 50 with my eyesight... a fading commodity.

I'm a two spacer. However minimal, that one extra space allows a pause to give the next sentence more impact. That said, if the sentences are intrinsically married, sometimes a dash, like a continuation of the thought is more effective.

in https://www.scriptmag.com/features/career-features/spec-scripts-fail-mer...

Among the causes for tossing a spec:

8. Two spaces after a period in a script (goes to page count and minute per page).

Thanks A.S. - as I mentioned, it's been 10 years since I started a new script so I'm glad I learned this lesson on Page 4. I guess that's where procrastination sometimes helps.

So if I'm a studio reader reading The Greatest Spec Script in the world, the first ten pages of which flew by and I'm wetting my pants to see where the rest goes when...I notice that there are two spaces -- TWO -- after a period and I think, my God, this is the work of an amateur, so I, of course, toss the script in the trash???? Seriously????

Some folk come up with the most nonsensical excuses for not performing the work for which they are paid. If I'm paid to read your script, then I'm gonna read it - no matter how bad it is. I may know it's total trash by page 2 - but I'm still gonna read it.

A.S. The answer I like best - 1 space more accurately equates with minute-per-page length. This trickles down to marketing estimates of how many viewings per day in a theater.

Lots of nonsense to scare new writers to buy webinars and how-to books.

1) Most languages in the world use one space. English has slowly come to use one space, especially since the creation of the internet which automatically shorterns all spaces to a single space (unless specifically coded not to do so). 2) Some industries (academia) still cling to two spaces after a period, though this practice will die. 3) Some screenwriters still cling to two spaces, though this practice will die. 4) If you use two spaces in your screenplay, it’ll be fine. There are more important things to worry about.

While we're at it, lets get rid of those bloody whole & half notes... and those cheeky eighth and sixteenth notes too. Only quarter notes from now on. Oh wait, that's called Muzak... now an elevator torture device

The number of spaces after a sentence in writing doesn’t really equate with rhythm in music, Brian. :) A more fitting analogy might be to mark every whole rest twice, or add a repeat twice, or notate the coda twice, or close the last measure twice. Doing so is just redundant. We used to use two spaces in the past. Not really a thing anymore other than those few stubborn holdouts.

I use two spaces. Some internet locations where one can leave comments make two spaces look like too much space so then I adjust and go with one space.

One space.

Newspaper / Magazine column width size, one space after a sentence. Unregulated, spans too far across the screen, two spaces after a sentence. The column width for these comments is within a reasonable span, so one space is fine. If these comments column width spanned across an extra 4 or 5 words, I would then recommend two spaces after a sentence.

In a screenwriting forum; forty posts about one or two spaces after a sentence - Really?

Doug Nelson, on my timeline I only saw 4 comments. This is the first time I am seeing the entire thread. However, nothing wrong with a discussion about one or two spaces after a Sentence. Now if a new topic came up once a week about one space or two, then I would concur with your concerns.

Most, not all, scripts I've read use one. I've seen some with two but most have one space.

I didn't even know there was another kind of space. Just used one.

Either one is fine.

You must be an old pro Doug, but for us newbies, it is an important topic because they instill heavy doses of formatting fear in you. As readers are drowing in scripts, I was told they are looking for excuses to elimate yours, and any small mistake may be indicative of sloppy formatting throughout. Next...

Thanks Kay, it is a healthy fear, and those are usually based on survival. When you're learning, get it right the first time or else you'll have to waste time breaking a bad habit.

Yes Diane, I'm an old (very) pro - some suggested 'old crow' might be a better descriptor. When you say 'they instill heavy doses of formatting fear'; who do you mean by 'they'? I have been one of those dreaded script readers in years past and never looked for a reason to eliminate any script - quite the contrary. I always searched for that rare gem (I found a couple).

When you speak of errors - I think of errors and ERRORS. Formatting errors are generally pretty fixable when working with a cooperative writer but can become terminal if the writer is a DA. There are a million reasons why a script fails but nominal format is not one of them.

Diane. Nobody in their right mind is going to reject a screenplay because of a few formatting errors. If a reader does that they should be fired.