Skip to main content

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 Critical Keys to a Captivating Act 3-Script
How to Write a Screenplay

3 Critical Keys to a Captivating Act 3

By Dave Trottier
Ask-DrFormat-FormattingFlashbacks-Script
Screenplay Formatting

ASK DR. FORMAT: Formatting 5 Common Flashback Situations

By Dave Trottier
7TipstoBeingYourOwnScriptConsultant-Script
Screenplay Feedback Notes

7 Tips to Being Your Own Script Consultant

By Dave Trottier
AskDrFormat-MorphingTipsandTricks-GangsofNewYork
Screenplay Formatting

ASK DR. FORMAT: Morphing Tips and Tricks

By Dave Trottier
Three Telling Tips for a Stunning Script
How to Rewrite a Screenplay

Three Telling Tips for a Stunning Script

By Dave Trottier
Perplexed About Parentheticals-Script
Screenplay Formatting

ASK DR. FORMAT: Perplexed About Parentheticals

By Dave Trottier
Six Adaptation Steps
Adaptation

Six Adaptation Steps Before You Adapt That Book

By Dave Trottier
3 Keys to Your Success in 2022
Writing Inspiration

3 Keys to Your Success in 2022

By Dave Trottier
austin-chan-unsplash-sign
Screenwriting How-To Articles

WRITE TO LIVE: How Writing Scripts Can Change Your Life

By Dave Trottier
DRFORMAT-DirectingCamera-Script21
Screenplay Formatting

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

By Dave Trottier
The-Camera-Person-Script21
Screenplay Formatting

ASK DR. FORMAT: The Camera as a Character

By Dave Trottier
ParadoxofCreativitySCRIPT-Blog
Screenwriting How-To Articles

The Great Paradox of Creativity

By Dave Trottier
Punctuation Grammar Guidance for Screenwriters
How to Write a Screenplay

Punctuation & Grammar Guidance for Screenwriters

By Dave Trottier
20 Screenwriting Myths
How to Sell a Script and Build a Screenwriting Career

20 Screenwriting Myths

By Dave Trottier
How to Format a Zoom Conversation
Screenplay Formatting

ASK DR. FORMAT: How to Format a Zoom Conversation

By Dave Trottier
The Same Old Thinking, The Same Old Results
Screenplay Feedback Notes

How to Get the Most Out of a Script Evaluation

By Dave Trottier
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 Trottier
ASK DR. FORMAT_ A Crash Course in Scene Headings
Screenplay Formatting

ASK DR. FORMAT: A Crash Course in Scene Headings

By Dave Trottier
Off Screen and Voice Over
Screenwriting How-To Articles

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

By Dave Trottier
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 Trottier
Image placeholder title
Screenwriting How-To Articles

ASK DR. FORMAT: Slugging Out Slug Lines

By Dave Trottier
Image placeholder title
Screenwriting How-To Articles

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

By Dave Trottier
Image placeholder title
Screenwriting How-To Articles

ASK DR. FORMAT: Screenplay Formatting - The Skype Hype

By Dave Trottier
Image placeholder title
Screenwriting How-To Articles

THE SCREENWRITER ANSWER: 10 Most Common Screenwriting Questions

By Dave Trottier
Image placeholder title
Screenwriting How-To Articles

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

By Dave Trottier
screenplay formatting
Screenwriting How-To Articles

ASK DR. FORMAT: Formatting Voiceover, Prelap and Chyron

By Dave Trottier
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 Trottier
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 Trottier
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 Trottier
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 Trottier
SCREENPLAY FORMAT: Action and Dialogue
Screenwriter Blogs

SCREENPLAY FORMAT: Action and Dialogue

By Dave Trottier
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 Trottier
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 Trottier
pile_of_scripts_for_smc_web_use2_P1030032
Screenwriting How-To Articles

SCREENPLAY FORMAT: Dr. Format Answers Your Questions

By Dave Trottier
camera directions for screenplay
Screenwriting How-To Articles

SCREENPLAY FORMAT: Why Not Use Camera Directions For Screenplays?

By Dave Trottier
flasbacks 3
Screenwriting How-To Articles

All About Flashbacks

By Dave Trottier
pile_of_scripts_for_smc_web_use2_P1030032
Screenwriting How-To Articles

The Readability Factor

By Dave Trottier
screenplay format
Screenwriting How-To Articles

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

By Dave Trottier
screenplay structure 3
Screenwriting How-To Articles

Battle of the Paradigms: Screenplay Structure - Whose to Choose

By Dave Trottier
photo credit sg.movies.yahoo.com
How to Write a Screenplay

What You Must Know About Script Format

By Dave Trottier
Photo source lokidesign.net
Screenwriting How-To Articles

The 7 Deadly Dialogue Sins

By Dave Trottier
How to Write a Screenplay

Ask the Expert: Sluglines Slugfest

By Dave Trottier
must see movies
Screenwriting How-To Articles

10 Must-See Movies for Screenwriters

By Dave Trottier
Screenwriter Blogs

Ask the Expert: 3 Keys to Succeeding as a Writer

By Dave Trottier
How to Sell a Script and Build a Screenwriting Career

Ask the Expert: 3 Keys to Failing as a Writer

By Dave Trottier
How to Write Dialogue

Ask the Expert: INTERCUT - Conversations and Actions

By Dave Trottier
How to Write a Screenplay

Ask the Expert: All About Flashbacks

By Dave Trottier
TWS
Screenwriter Blogs

How The Writers Store Changed My Life

By Dave Trottier
Screenwriting How-To Articles

How to Get the Most Out of a Script Evaluation

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

Ask the Expert - Movie Flubs

By Dave Trottier