Linda, having been involved in this business for over three decades, here is the situation as best…

Linda, having been involved in this business for over three decades, here is the situation as best as I know it.

There are script readers. They are Hollywood's threshhold guardians. Basically every script which funnels into and through the development process gets covered by script readers. Some of them have a mature understanding of STORY. I fear that most of them do not. Either through training or picking up on "screenplay rules" via the online screenwriting universe, they may tend to focus on these aspects of a script because it's a safe way to critique a script that does not require them to focus on the nuances of the STORY, something they are not wise enough due to experience to understand.

In my view, this is where we keep running into so-called "screenwriting rules."

Then there are development executives, producers, managers, agents, actors, directors. Most of them do have a sense of STORY. I am confident if they read a great script, no matter how the writer trangresses against so-called "screenwriting rules," they will focus on the STORY, not on this other stuff.

The trick then is how to get your script past script readers and into the hands of people who appreciate STORY over form.

The path of least resistance is simple: Obey the "screenwriting rules." Don't give a script reader a chance to ding you for making "amateurish mistakes."

However, if the best way to write your story is to break these "rules," then fucking break them. Don't let these rules which are not rules restrict your creativity... your narrative voice... your allegiance to the spirit of your story and your commitment to crafting an entertaining read.

Basically I'm with you: "I think folks need to stop trying to tell us how to write an industry standard script and just write a damn script."

Yes, and I might add, a damn GOOD script!

All the best in your creative endeavors!