1. If you don't have a word processor and a copy on disk, always
prepare at least two copies and always keep one. Scripts are not
often lost but they can be; losing your last copy is an avoidable
trauma.
2. Check the length of your script. If you are submitting to television
or radio, you need to be fairly precise and to have a particular
slot in mind. A full-length stage play, as a general rule, should
be around two hours playing time. Shakespeare gets away with more
and Pinter with less, but it's a good rough guide. Assess the
approximate length by reading five or six pages aloud, with pauses,
and calculating a time per page. Again, only a rough guide, an
hour's playing time might be around 40-45 pages. But check, because
length of speeches, amount of stage directions etc, all make a
difference.
3. Prepare a title page, which should include your name and address,
unless of course the terms of the competition etc require the
script to be anonymous.
4. Provide a list of characters, with the briefest of descriptions.
EG: 'Walter Carfax - a merchant banker, about 50; Anthony - his
eldest son, mid twenties'. Any further description should be in
the body of the text.
5. For television plays provide a list of interior settings and
exterior locations required, without detailed description. For
stage plays provide a note of locations which will be represented
on stage. Eg: 'The action takes place in Vanessa's bedroom, Clovis'
office, and a motorway service station'.
6. There is generally no need for diagrams and descriptions of
stage layout. If you describe what the stage area has to represent,
the designer is the best person to make that a reality. Only put
something in if you have a particular concept which is intrinsic
to the play.
7. Give the script a secure binding. A variety of binding methods
are available from stationers. Use one which is easy to handle
and does not obscure the left hand side of the page.
8. Acknowledgements and references. If the play is based on fact
or on someone else's work, this should be made clear within the
manuscript itself.
9. To help protect your rights in your work, put the copyright
symbol (or the full word), your name, and the year, at the bottom
of the title page. Eg: (c) Alastair Grindle 1994
10 And finally, if you want your brainchild back, enclose a stamped,
addressed envelope.
