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Screenplay Formatting and Terms

The document provides information on screenplay formatting and terms. It outlines the standard formatting for a screenplay, including using 8.5x11 paper, starting with "FADE IN", indicating shots with capitalized descriptions of location and time of day, writing character descriptions and dialogue in lowercase, and using terms like "CUT TO" to transition between scenes. It also defines common screenplay terms used for shots, angles, transitions, and other cinematic techniques.

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Nikola Grgić
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121 views2 pages

Screenplay Formatting and Terms

The document provides information on screenplay formatting and terms. It outlines the standard formatting for a screenplay, including using 8.5x11 paper, starting with "FADE IN", indicating shots with capitalized descriptions of location and time of day, writing character descriptions and dialogue in lowercase, and using terms like "CUT TO" to transition between scenes. It also defines common screenplay terms used for shots, angles, transitions, and other cinematic techniques.

Uploaded by

Nikola Grgić
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Screenplay Formatting and Terms

from
http://teachers.henrico.k12.va.us/Godwin/nagle_k/englishweb/screenwriting.html

Formatting the Screenplay

1. Use standard 8 1/2 by 11" paper.

2. Start with the words FADE IN. Every script starts this way; it's like "The Curtain
Rises" in a stage play.

3. Two spaces below FADE IN is the first image or shot. Each shot is written in capital
letters. One or more shots make up a scene. The first shot tells if the scene is inside
(INT) or outside (EXT); whether it's day (DAY) or night (NIGHT). You also give the
location--(APARTMENT--KITCHEN).

4. Two spaces below this is a description of the characters and scene, written in
lowercase letters, margin to margin.

5. Capitalize characters' names the first time they are listed.

6. Write basic shot descriptions. Specify a close shot, CLOSE ON, if you want
something in sharp focus; use ANGLE ON if you want a different perspective.

8. Dialog is written in lower-case letters, single spaced.

9. Write the name of the character who is speaking in capital letters two spaces below the
shot description.

10. Include directions to describe what is going on in a scene. If the descriptions are
long, write them single-spaced in lowercase letters, margin to margin. If they are short,
write them in brackets within the dialog.

11. Write CUT TO: or DISSOLVE TO: at the end of a scene. Place the words on the
right side of the page.

12. When a character's speech continues to the next page, write MORE on the line under
the last sentence, indented to the same margins as the character's name. Then write the
character's name and CONTINUED on the top of the next page.

All information on formatting the script is from The Complete Guide to Standard
Script Formats
Screenplay Terms

FADE IN: the opening shot

ANGLE ON: you want a different perspective

CLOSE ON: you want something in sharp focus

CUT TO: end of a scene

ESTABLISHING SHOT: a wide-angle shot

TIGHT ON: close-up shot

ANOTHER ANGLE: a new viewpoint

CLOSER ANGLE: closer perspective

POV: point of view

CLOSE UP: tight shot

REVERSE ANGLE: opposite point of view; other person's view

BACK TO: return to POV shot

DISSOLVE: old scene fading out and new scene fading in

FADE OUT: image fades to black

PAN: camera moves from side to side

VOICE OVER: spoken narration (abbrev. V.O.)

BEGIN TITLES: when credits start

END TITLES: when main credits end

INT: inside

EXT: outside

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