I think it was ok but maybe a few niggles. Are the judges going to be super-annoyed if the formatting's not perfect? Beating myself up and worrying I have ruined my chances!

Thank you! I did my best. Probably just the usual second-guessing after submission, haha. Will see what they say.

I think it would be really really rare to dq someone solely for formatting, and probably more to do with the end product being in a readable file format (e.g. a proprietary script file like .fdx, mmx, scw that you need the specific software to read) or I think some people have had trouble in the past with Writer Duet only converting part of their screenplays. I guess if you couldn't tell dialogue from action, maybe, but it would have to be pretty illegible to get a full disqualification.

I have to agree. Though, I did get a beta read this time that I really had a hard time reading, finally gave up and contacted the sender. She took a look and was speechless, lol. She had sent it in docx from Cerbx, or whatever, and it did not do well in the transfer of info. She did not think to check it, haha, that won't happen again. Anyway, she figured it all out and sent me a perfectly formatted script and apologized profusely. 

So, it can happen that the formatting is so garbled that a judge is not going to try and sort it out and if that is the case can't really blame them.

I did have a shorty story in WB that was just one big cube of story, no breaks of any kind, the line separation was barely there. I was able to read it, but it really detracted from the experience, haha.

Formatting is 15% and what’s detailed as “formatting” in the rules (per section 17) is more about submission guidelines and less about traditional screenwriting format, style, and structure. 5% is grammar, and 80% is story.

That said, the winner’s scripts, the ones they post on the website, from my glance at those scripts, all of them are technically perfect, so that could mean the competition is so fierce to where that 20% becomes really important.

There is that, haha. But I think there is more to it than just the format. It is the way the story is laid out, the way any dialogue is done. The format is just the way to put all that on a page so people can read it. The real art is what is put into the format on the page.

I also hope they'd let the final draft that gets posted on the website at least have grammar edits, right? Like, say someone's story was phenomenal and won but they used "your" instead of "you're," NYCM wouldn't make them keep that mistake in? They couldn't have ALL been without grammar error/mistake, even if they won, could they?

I don’t know. It’s a good point and I’ve wondered that myself. I’m a dyslexic writer so I personally fret over these things and I allow myself time for that in my process, but it would be nice to simply focus on story… but I think that’s all part of the craft. You don’t want so many mistakes it detracts from the read. 

To your point though, many festivals allow edits post victory.

That being said, looking at last year's judges' comments, there didn't seem to be any of them who made a point of noting the incorrect use of producers' compared to producer's according to the context. If the marking is correctly set, then a great idea should stand an excellent chance of getting through. 

As someone noted, there might be two equally great scripts, which I guess is when grammar and formatting will make the difference.

I love that! Thank you!!

Thank you! I had a look and that has reassured me a little, phew.

Eek! I tried my very best in Word. It was definitely legible, the right margins and a bit under the word count so was not trying to squeeze extra in! I think it was the spacing I mucked up a bit but if anything it was over spaces so again was not being sneaky! Would just hate that to be my downfall but we shall see! Thank you.

Thank you!! That was the reason I ended up doing it myself in Word, just wasn't getting there with the software and time was ticking! I will learn from it in amy case. Thank you!

Thanks, I was under the word count and very spacious. Think too spacious might be my issue...but equally that might save me haha.

Eek, that gives me a whole new fear! Maybe my Word attempt will be ok. I'll get a perfect template sorted for next time..if there is one haha.

Good point!

Great point. I think that is what is annoying me, that formatting could put me out rather than my writing or idea! I will keep my fingers crossed and learn from it!