Reddit reviews The Screenwriter's Bible: A Complete Guide to Writing, Formatting, and Selling Your Script

>I've only very recently decided that I wanted to go into film making for a career ...

Start with the basics then. Read Save the Cat, Story, Screenplay, and The Screenwriter's Bible.

Ask yourself what your five favorite films in the world are, that you could watch over and over again. Buy them on Bluray, and find a copy of their shooting script. This website is a good start, although you may have to buy them from somewhere. Watch the movies, then read the scripts, then repeat.

Then, with both the theory and the execution in your mind ... start to think of conflict, of drama, of characters and themes and story arcs.

Bluntly, it sounds like you're putting the horse well before the cart.

This book helped me out when I first started. However, I used the 3rd edition, so not sure how much has changed in the 5th version to keep it updated. The screenwriting process keeps evolving, but the basics should still be there.

As far as screenwriting software, speakingofsegues has it right. CeltX is the one you want to use if you're looking for free software, but you will probably have to learn Final Draft at some point if you continue in this field. They do offer a demo to try it out.

If you're absolutely set on going to film school, prepare to go a couple of hundred thousand dollars into debt and never be able to pay it back. Anything you can learn at film school you can learn from reading books and watching films on your own.

As for as making films go, just do it. Teach yourself how to write effective screenplays (this book and this book are the two most invaluable tools I own. Buy them), then find like-minded people in your area and just make movies. Start small, with five or ten page short scripts. If they come out good enough, submit them to festivals and get your name out there.

You can go to film school if you want (and can get the money), but in most programs you'll make one film in four years. Nobody will know who you are upon graduation, and you'll find yourself placed in internships or entry-level jobs after you graduate. It's a long and winding road, and I'm not convinced that it gives you an upper hand over just doing it yourself.

Sure thing! If you pick a couple up I'd recommend The Screenwriter's Bible as a good all-around book that covers pretty much everything and [Screenplay]
(http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0385339038/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0385339038&linkCode=as2&tag=qinema-20) if you're interested in structure. That being said, [Save the Cat!]
(http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1932907009/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1932907009&linkCode=as2&tag=qinema-20) is an excellent book and might be worth getting instead as our Structure lesson will cover the essence of Syd Field's Screenplay book (at least I hope others will find it a good substitute!)

Will answer as many of these as I can!

-There is absolutely a standard format. There are programs that help you do that. Industry standard is Final Draft, but it's really pricey. I think there are cheaper ones available. Features and Television have different formats and format also varies within TV from multi-cam to single cam to animation. I'd pick up this book, which can teach you the basics of formatting and whatnot:

http://www.amazon.com/The-Screenwriters-Bible-Complete-Formatting/dp/1935247026/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1374355881&sr=8-1&keywords=screenwriter%27s+bible

• Unfortunately studios and agencies don't really take unsolicited script submissions. Your best bets are either to work in the industry and get your script read through personal relationships, or create something then put it out there for everyone to see. There are also festivals and fellowships you can submit scripts to, but some of them are just money grabs so do your research first.
  
  Seems like short films are your bag so I'd keep working at that, make something awesome, put it on the Internet, and watch the offers roll in! Good luck man.

the problem is that you need to move onto story building. the story will dictate the effect you will need. even if you just start out with some basic stories, this can really help unlock you from the mental barrier you are having; especially, if you do not use AE everyday 8 hours a day.
i recommend a copy of the screenwriter's bible

Also, check out Finalcut King's youtube channel, if you haven't already;

Patrick Boivin's youtube channel for stop motion stories/animations;

F.C.Rabbath Creations youtube channel for some of the best low budget storytelling you can find;

VinhSon Nguyen's Vimeo channel;

Nick Campbell's Vimeo channel - he has some really awesome tuts, but you need to search back a few years through his vids -really great stuff here;

Patrick Clair's Vimeo Channel - the standard for kinetic typography - amazing, amazing stuff here;

DanStevers.com Vimeo Channel - regardless of the nature of these videos (religious), this dude has mad, mad skills and does some great AE tutorials showing how he made the effects on a low budget;

That's a start. On vimeo, I recommend checking out the videos and people that these people like - it will lead you to more really cool videos. Also, keep a good library hierchy either on your desktop or in your favorites to help you quickly find the vids when you do need them.

This book helped me a great deal when I first started out. It's certainly one of the better books about the craft out there.

For formatting, check out this book:

http://www.amazon.com/Screenwriters-Bible-Complete-Writing-Formatting/dp/1935247026/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1320769315&sr=8-1