Screenplay Formatting Tips in A Template
Uploaded by
SoulGate MediaScreenplay Formatting Tips in A Template
Uploaded by
SoulGate Media1
“SCREENPLAY TEMPLATE”
written by
Lilyana Zivkovic
Draft number/date
2
Your address
Suburb, State, Post Code
Contact number
3
FADE IN:
EXT. SET/LOCATION, DESCRIPTION – DAY
This document is formatted for the standard US Letter screenplay
and uses feature film screenplay styles (generally, 14), from
margins and indenting, using colons and hyphens and capital
letters, to spacing between sentences (i.e. this paragraph is
'Action'). One-inch (25.4 mm) margins all around.
Feel free to delete the instructional text and re-format your
paragraphs as relevant. This is not exhaustive by any means.
Before you begin, set the Styles to show only the ones in use.
Otherwise, it gets too confusing. Mind you, the few built-in
Normal.dot styles will remain.
CHARACTER CUE
Only use fixed-pitch Courier 12 -
typeface, the standard font for
screenplays. Although Courier variants
will get you by, try and stick to the
professional standard. Definitely do
not use other fonts.
In dialogue, spell out numbers and avoid using symbols and
abbreviations.
CHARACTER CUE
Do not try and be creative with your
formatting. Any deviations will simply
scream out, “Amateur!”
CHARACTER CUE
Do not justify the margins.
There is a reason for the pedanticism: Most of the formatting
rules exist because of timing, to preserve the page-per-minute
screen time estimate in screenplays.
Also, it facilitates a quick read and differentiation of elements
at a glance.
INT. SET/LOCATION, DESCRIPTION – DAY
“Slug Lines” also known as a “Scene Heading,” tell the reader
where a scene takes place. In other words, where the camera is
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located.
Scene headings are only numbered in a shooting script. Do not
number scenes in "spec" or a “draft” script in various stages of
development.
Use of “CONTINUED” is only required in shooting scripts.
Otherwise, the top “CONTINUED:” and bottom “(CONTINUED)” should
be omitted.
Do not break dialogue in mid-sentence, only between sentences.
Breaking description is more flexible however, best to be
consistent and follow the same end-of sentence rule.
There are only three occasions when it’s permissible to use ALL
CAPS in a description: 1) when introducing a character, 2) to
denote camera direction, and 3) to draw attention to sound
effects.
The main reason for using ALL CAPS is to aid the production
manager in breaking down the script, so capitalisation is avoided
in spec or draft scripts.
In action and description, a character’s name should be written
in ALL CAPS only when that character first appears in the script.
After that, the name should appear in Title Case.
CHARACTER CUE
Never use ALL CAPS or italics in
dialogue. Instead, underline the word
or phrase you wish to emphasize.
EXT. SET/LOCATION, DESCRIPTION – NIGHT
The “INT/EXT.” (with no period before/after the slash), is used
if the intention is to move the camera from interior to exterior
or vice versa in a single, uninterrupted shot. Otherwise, it’s a
cut—new camera setup—so simply use a new scene heading.
FOLLOW HER INTO:
INT. SET/LOCATION, DESCRIPTION – NIGHT
All action is written in the present tense. It describes the
place, characters present, and their choreography.
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It is much neater and easier to follow if you separate different
actions with paragraph breaks.
Remember, action focuses largely on what is visible and what is
audible on the screen.
CHARACTER #1 CUE
(parenthetical)
Show it, don’t tell it!
Parenthetical remarks should only be used when absolutely
necessary, preferably only for action direction rather than to
describe an attitude or verbal direction. Again, professional
screenwriters leave this to actors and the director. Neither
appreciates being told how to apply their craft. If you are
directing your own script, you can use parentheticals as your
reminders.
For example, if a character is reading text out loud, this should
be indicated with the word “reading” as a parenthetical
direction. Or, as an alternative to indicate a speech is
continuing. In any case, keep parenthetical direction short, to
the point and descriptive.
CHARACTER #1 CUE
(what are they doing)
However, keep technical direction at a
minimum.
Use of instructional transitions is superfluous. All scene
changes are cuts, all transitions are between shots from
different camera setups. In any case, transitions are directorial
phrases hence should be used with respect (or, not at all).
Usually only at the beginning/”FADE IN:” and at the end/”FADE
OUT.”
CHARACTER CUE
Do not try and be creative with your
formatting. Any deviations will simply
scream out, “Amateur!”
The heading for a scene that takes place inside a moving vehicle
should have the word “TRAVELING” or “MOVING” appended to it,
separated from the time-of-day by a dash.
INT. TRUCK, COUNTRY ROAD – DAY - MOVING
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There are numerous screenwriting software packages available that
make life easier. Celtex is compatible with both PC and Mac, and
is free in its basic version. Final Draft and Movie Magic
Screenwriter have been around for a while and are quite popular.
Both are compatible with PC and Mac but are not free. Another
handy one is Web-based screenwriting software ScriptBuddy.
ME (V.O.)
Enjoy!
FADE OUT.
THE END
