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Dave Trottier

Dave Trottier (AKA Dr. Format), author of seven books including The Screenwriter's Bible, has sold or optioned ten screenplays (three produced) and helped hundreds of writers sell their work and break into the biz. He is an award-winning teacher, in-demand script consultant, and friendly host of keepwriting.com. Twitter: @DRTrottier

Articles From This Author

3 Keys to Your Success in 2022
Writing Inspiration

3 Keys to Your Success in 2022

By Dave TrottierJan 3, 2022
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Screenwriting How-To Articles

WRITE TO LIVE: How Writing Scripts Can Change Your Life

By Dave TrottierAug 23, 2021
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Screenplay Formatting

ASK DR. FORMAT: Directing the Camera Without Using Camera Directions

By Dave TrottierJun 22, 2021
The-Camera-Person-Script21
Screenplay Formatting

ASK DR. FORMAT: The Camera as a Character

By Dave TrottierApr 27, 2021
ParadoxofCreativitySCRIPT-Blog
Screenwriting How-To Articles

The Great Paradox of Creativity

By Dave TrottierFeb 15, 2021
Punctuation Grammar Guidance for Screenwriters
How to Write a Screenplay

Punctuation & Grammar Guidance for Screenwriters

By Dave TrottierNov 3, 2020
20 Screenwriting Myths
How to Sell a Script and Build a Screenwriting Career

20 Screenwriting Myths

By Dave TrottierSep 16, 2020
How to Format a Zoom Conversation
Screenplay Formatting

ASK DR. FORMAT: How to Format a Zoom Conversation

By Dave TrottierJul 23, 2020
How to Get the Most Out of a Script Evaluation
Screenplay Feedback Notes

How to Get the Most Out of a Script Evaluation

By Dave TrottierJun 25, 2020
Dave Trottier, "Dr. Format," continues answering readers' questions about scene headings to help you format your screenplay with confidence.
Screenplay Formatting

ASK DR. FORMAT: A Crash Course in Scene Headings, Part 2

By Dave TrottierMar 24, 2020
ASK DR. FORMAT_ A Crash Course in Scene Headings
Screenplay Formatting

ASK DR. FORMAT: A Crash Course in Scene Headings

By Dave TrottierJan 23, 2020
Off Screen and Voice Over
Screenwriting How-To Articles

ASK DR. FORMAT: Off Screen and Voice Over, Everything You Want to Know

By Dave TrottierSep 23, 2019
Dave Trottier continues his 30 years of giving Script's readers stellar screenplay formatting advice, sharing tips on formatting texts, instant messages, e-mails, Skype and more.
Screenwriting How-To Articles

ASK DR. FORMAT: Screenplay Formatting Tips - Texts, IMs, E-Mails, Skype and More

By Dave TrottierAug 20, 2019
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Screenwriting How-To Articles

ASK DR. FORMAT: Slugging Out Slug Lines

By Dave TrottierJun 2, 2019
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Screenwriting How-To Articles

Building & Revealing Character: Simple But Powerful Tools for Building Fascinating Characters and Revealing Their Inner Truth

By Dave TrottierAug 15, 2018
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Screenwriting How-To Articles

ASK DR. FORMAT: Screenplay Formatting - The Skype Hype

By Dave TrottierFeb 27, 2018
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Screenwriting How-To Articles

THE SCREENWRITER ANSWER: 10 Most Common Screenwriting Questions

By Dave TrottierJul 12, 2017
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Screenwriting How-To Articles

ASK DR. FORMAT: How to Get More White on the Page

By Dave TrottierMay 9, 2017
screenplay formatting
Screenwriting How-To Articles

ASK DR. FORMAT: Formatting Voiceover, Prelap and Chyron

By Dave TrottierApr 4, 2017
ASK DR. FORMAT: Good Will to All... and a Clear Story Goal by Dave Trottier | Script Magazine #scriptchat #screenwriting
Screenwriting How-To Articles

ASK DR. FORMAT: Good Will to All... and a Clear Story Goal

By Dave TrottierFeb 2, 2017
ASK DR. FORMAT: The Golden Key to Your #Screenwriting Success by Dave Trottier | Script Magazine #scriptchat
Screenwriting How-To Articles

ASK DR. FORMAT: The Golden Key to Your Screenwriting Success

By Dave TrottierJan 17, 2017
ASK DR. FORMAT: Is Formatting the Cause of Insanity in Screenwriters? by Dave Trottier | Script Magazine #scriptchat #screenwriting
Screenwriting How-To Articles

ASK DR. FORMAT: Is Formatting the Cause of Insanity in Screenwriters?

By Dave TrottierDec 6, 2016
What Screenwriters Can Learn from 'Galaxy Quest' by Dave Trottier | Script Magazine #scriptchat #screenwriting
Screenwriting How-To Articles

What Screenwriters Can Learn from 'Galaxy Quest'

By Dave TrottierOct 18, 2016
SCREENPLAY FORMAT: Action and Dialogue
Screenwriter Blogs

SCREENPLAY FORMAT: Action and Dialogue

By Dave TrottierSep 26, 2016
COLORING SCENES: Writing to Engage the Reader by Dave Trottier | Script Magazine #scriptchat #amwriting #screenwriting
Screenwriting How-To Articles

COLORING SCENES: Writing to Engage the Reader

By Dave TrottierMar 23, 2016
ASK DR. FORMAT: Is Formatting the Cause of Insanity in Screenwriters? by Dave Trottier | Script Magazine #scriptchat #screenwriting
Screenwriting How-To Articles

SCREENPLAY FORMAT: The Most Common Formatting Mistake

By Dave TrottierJan 26, 2016
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Screenwriting How-To Articles

SCREENPLAY FORMAT: Dr. Format Answers Your Questions

By Dave TrottierOct 23, 2015
camera directions for screenplay
Screenwriting How-To Articles

SCREENPLAY FORMAT: Why Not Use Camera Directions For Screenplays?

By Dave TrottierJun 15, 2015
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Screenwriting How-To Articles

All About Flashbacks

By Dave TrottierMar 18, 2015
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Screenwriting How-To Articles

The Readability Factor

By Dave TrottierDec 9, 2014
screenplay format
Screenwriting How-To Articles

Craft : Screenplay Format - Do I Really Need Screenwriting Software?

By Dave TrottierOct 17, 2014
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Screenwriting How-To Articles

Battle of the Paradigms: Screenplay Structure - Whose to Choose

By Dave TrottierMar 11, 2014
photo credit sg.movies.yahoo.com
How to Write a Screenplay

What You Must Know About Script Format

By Dave TrottierOct 5, 2013
Photo source lokidesign.net
Screenwriting How-To Articles

The 7 Deadly Dialogue Sins

By Dave TrottierFeb 17, 2013
How to Write a Screenplay

Ask the Expert: Sluglines Slugfest

By Dave TrottierDec 10, 2012
must see movies
Screenwriting How-To Articles

10 Must-See Movies for Screenwriters

By Dave TrottierNov 15, 2012
Screenwriter Blogs

Ask the Expert: 3 Keys to Succeeding as a Writer

By Dave TrottierOct 4, 2012
How to Sell a Script and Build a Screenwriting Career

Ask the Expert: 3 Keys to Failing as a Writer

By Dave TrottierAug 31, 2012
How to Write Dialogue

Ask the Expert: INTERCUT - Conversations and Actions

By Dave TrottierJun 21, 2012
How to Write a Screenplay

Ask the Expert: All About Flashbacks

By Dave TrottierMay 19, 2012
TWS
Screenwriter Blogs

How The Writers Store Changed My Life

By Dave TrottierMay 9, 2012
Screenwriting How-To Articles

How to Get the Most Out of a Script Evaluation

By Dave TrottierApr 19, 2012
ASK THE EXPERT: Writing (Not Overwriting) Description | Script Magazine
Screenwriting How-To Articles

Ask the Expert - Movie Flubs

By Dave TrottierFeb 27, 2012
screenwriters bible 2
Screenwriting How-To Articles

Q&A: Dave Trottier, aka Dr. Format

By Dave TrottierFeb 1, 2012
Learn everything you need to know about the differences between a script doctor, script consultant and script analyst in this FREE eBook from Script mag.
Screenwriting How-To Articles

Ask Script Q&A: Script Consultants

By Dave TrottierNov 22, 2010
Screenwriting How-To Articles

My Favorite Flubs

By Dave TrottierOct 21, 2010
Screenwriter Blogs

How to Tackle Writer’s Block

By Dave TrottierMar 16, 2010