Getting a bill for a broken window

A popular spec script that is making the rounds breaks a ton of the rules of screenwriting. It's not from an established writer, producer, director or anyone else who can ignore the rules. Plus there's a plot hole that sticks out like Glenn Beck at Harvard. While I'm fairly new to screenwriting, I'd expect any script I sent out with those errors would be thrown through a window. Then I'd get the bill and feel compelled to pay it.

I've heard aspiring screenwriters make the excuse that some popular screenplay has a myriad of problems, and it sold for a gazillion dollars. So of course those errors should be acceptable and even downright useful. If I had a quarter for the number of times I've heard that stupid argument, I'd dine on one humongous pizza from my favorite eatery.

A spec script will be rewritten several times before filming, but don't be stupid enough to prove that you're incapable of being involved in the process that gets the script to production. Your new and improved version of screenplay formatting just might get you excluded from everything, even screenwriting credit. Or someone could believe you're such a hack, that they'll simply steal your concept and rewrite it themselves.

There tends to be an inverse relationship between the number of errors and the quality. If you don't follow the rules, your script tends to be overly complicated, bad and convoluted. So just stick with the rules until you're the guy/gal with the career that allows you to break the rules. The next time you go to that bold icon, change fonts or type MID-MORNING just stop yourself and stick with the rules. Those simple, easy on the eyes, rules to screenplay formatting.