Title Pages

[WDAw0ng]

Simple question. I use Final Draft. When entering competitions and using script services whereby you send in your work online, is it fair to presume that they would print out the title page (featured as a separate document on Final Draft)? Or do you have to type in your title page manually as your first page? Do you know what I mean?

[boski62]

WDA..,

I actually thought there was something wrong with my FD software the first time I encountered this problem; I got the software second-hand from a friend...

I always include a note in the email detailing how to print out the title page... I tried grafting it onto the first page of the script itself once, but I couldn't really get it to work and it threw off the page count besides...

If this is how FD is actually programmed to work, it seems like something they need to fix...or maybe I just don't know what I'm doing. Maybe there's a way to set the document so it automatically prints the title page when you print the script. If there is, I haven't figured it out.

Anyone???

[mgharris]

If the contest allows you to submit a PDF file, I'd try that. A lot less chance anything can get accidentally altered. It's easy to convert to PDF with MM/Screenwriter. Not sure about Final Draft.

[WDAw0ng]

Hey boski,

Yup, when you go to "file->print" and the print dialog pops up, there is a checkbox that you can highlight so that it will print out the title page. Unfortunately, this checkbox is unticked by default. I'm just worried that they'll have the script but don't know who it belongs to and what the title is. It all depends on what system they use - some use a number tracking system. Moreso, do they print out the script before reading it or do they read it on the screen? hmmm....

Hey mgharris,

Unfortunately, I don't have Adobe, nor do I know how to use it. I tried it out on a friends computer and used the distiller through the print option, but it created a pdf file with light grey text. Tried it several times and it still came out light. Do you use Adobe writer to write out your script? Thanks.

[whistlelock]

Unto thee Sophocles (http://www.sophocles.net/) was made.

Put away all your concerns for the tempermental FD. Join the true faith and use Sophocles.

[ComicBent]

Yes, you will be assimilated (http://www.sophocles.net). Resistance is futile.

I don't know what formats are acceptable in the contests that you are interested in. Use a PDF if possible. In the Adobe Acrobat Reader, click on 'File | Properties | Fonts' to see what font was used in the production of the PDF. You want Acrobat Distiller set to use 'Courier' for whatever variety of Courier (e.g., Courier New, Courier Final Draft) you were using.

If you distill with Courier Final Draft, and you do not have this font substitution indicated, you will not get Courier; instead you will will get a re-created version of Courier Final Draft. It will print out great, but on screen it will look pale.

You have to open the 'Acrobat Distiller' printer (it is a printer file just like your other printer). You find the option for substituting fonts. You click for 'Courier' to be used in place of 'Courier Final Draft'.

I know it sounds complicated. But it really isn't. Good luck!