From Wally:
On March 24, 2026, a remarkable friend—to me and to the entire screenwriting community—passed away. David Trottier… known to many of you as Dr. Format and the author/creator of The Screenwriter’s Bible.
I met Dave at a screenwriter’s conference, one of many I attended, in and around Southern California. He was one of the speakers. I think he was new to the circuit back then. He was there to present The Screenwriter’s Bible. Anyway, I attended his presentation, and was not only impressed by his book, but the man himself. He was genuine, full of energy, and friendly. I felt instantly relaxed around him. He didn’t exude that air of superiority that a lot of the other speakers wore like armor. He was just Dave and he had a book that had all the answers a screenwriter might need about how to properly format their screenplay. And he knew what he was talking about.
When I was first learning to write screenplays, the book that had all the answers to formatting a screenplay was Cole and Haag’s The Complete Guide to Standard Script Formats, Part 1: The Screenplay. It was first published in the late 1970s. And then, nearly 20 years later, along came Dave and The Screenwriter’s Bible. He brought everything up to date… we can all thank him for that.
He was a writer and a teacher, and a friend… not just to me, but to screenwriters everywhere. He shared what he knew. He even wrote it down. And published it, so we all could use it… Answering those questions that frustrate all of us.
He spent a good part of his life not only writing but teaching and sharing his knowledge. Dave was a real screenwriter. He sold or optioned 10 screenplays over his career. He worked on numerous screenplays and screen stories for studios and production companies including The Walt Disney Company, Jim Henson Pictures, York Entertainment, Hill Fields (for ABC television), and New Century Pictures. He had been there and done what he was teaching.
There were many times I would have a question, where I wanted to try something new formatting-wise… and I would call Dave up at his home. He never barked or growled, or acted upset to get a call out of the blue. He always took the time to answer my question.
A while back, late 2024 or early 2025, I called with a dilemma… Could I use the ‘Dual Dialogue’ to show ‘Split Screen’ in a screenplay? Dave discussed this with me. Short answer, “Yes. But,” he added, “be sure to add a ‘note explaining the change and how it is to be used.’”
He was always there, friendly and helpful. I remember asking him if he could come to Seattle and do a workshop. His answer was an immediate, “Of course. When do you want me?”
I will miss him and our conversations, but he is still there, on my desk, in The Screenwriter’s Bible, ready to answer my questions.
Thank You, Dave, for making all of us better writers, better storytellers, and better friends. Your lessons will continue to guide screenwriters for generations.