S

Script Formatting: A Tutorial

By Kathleen Sullivan

How to use this tutorial

This is a self-paced tutorial.

It is best viewed in “slideshow” mode.

After each concept is introduced, a few true/false questions will be posed to reinforce knowledge.

Feel free to click through and revisit slides.

When you feel comfortable with material, click the quiz link and test your new skills.

Introduction

Welcome to the wonderful world of scriptwriting!

Before you learn the art of scriptwriting, you must first learn the basics of formatting a script. Formatting a script correctly will show professionalism and allow readers to easily read your script. If a script is not easily read, many readers will simply put it down. So, you could have the most brilliant script since Citizen Kane, but if no one will read it- it is useless.

Why Learn Formatting?

Click here to learn from experts!

Chief Resource

While most of this tutorial is based in common knowledge and experience, the backbone of the information is supported in Book III of The Screenwriter’s Bible. Please explore this resource for additional formatting information.

Trottier, D. (2010). The Screenwriter’s Bible. Los Angeles: Silman-James Press.

Title Page

The title page will be the first thing seen by those reading your work.

While, it may be tempting to make it stand out- it is important that you keep it professional and let your work speak for itself.

Title Page Information

The key information you need for your title page is: Writer’s name – if more than one writer, use

commas and/or an ampersand (&) Name of work – the title Based on (if any) – if the work is an adaptation Writer’s contact information – if there are multiple

authors, just use one contact.

Title Page Layout

Title Page: True or False

A draft number should always be listed on the title page.

False

It is important to date your script.

False

When the piece is based on another piece, it should be noted on the title page.

True

Formatting the Script

When a script is properly formatted each written page is approximately one minute of stage or screen time.

A “spec script” is written in hopes that it will be sold or used. Therefore, it doesn’t include camera angles.

Setting up the page

Left margin = 1.5”

Right margin = 1.25”

Top and bottom margins = 1”

Header and footer margins = .5”

Font = Courier, 12pt

In the next tutorial you will see how script editing software, Final Draft, will set these up for you.

Sample of a Script Page

Three Parts of a Script (Trottier)

Scene Headings

Action

Dialogue Who is speaking. (Character cues) Parenthetical Direction. (Information on how they

say it.) Speech (What they say.)

True or False

Character Cues are the part of an action that lets you know who is in the room.

False

The three main parts of a script are action, scene headings and dialogue.

True

Scene Headings

Scene headings let the reader know when and where the scene takes place.

Key points Left justified All caps Three parts

Example:

INT. HOUSE - NIGHT

Parts of a Scene Heading

Part One: Is scene taking place in an interior location (INT.) or an exterior location (EXT.)?

Part Two: Where is the scene taking place (ie. Dockyard, living room, diner)?

Part Three: Hyphen

Part Four: Is it day or night?

INT.LOCATION -

DAY

or or

EXT. NIGHT

True or False

The last part of the scene heading indicates time of day.

True

Scene headings use both upper and lower case letters.

False

Narrative Descriptions

These are the story elements that do not involve dialogue.

There are three main parts of these descriptions: Action Descriptions of characters and settings Sounds

MICHAEL, a scraggly man of around 30, enters the dimly lit entryway. There is a faint scratching heard from the other side of the door.

Narrative Descriptions

Narrative descriptions are used to show what is happening. They follow these guidelines: Left justified. Use Toggle Case The introduction of a new character is in CAPS. Complete sentences are used. Written in a single paragraph.

True or False

A narrative description is when a character describes the scene around them.

False

Narrative descriptions are written in complete sentences.

True

Narrative descriptions are not necessary in every script.

False

Parts of Dialogue

Trottier breaks down dialogue into three basic parts: Character Cues Parenthetical Direction Dialogue

Character Cue

A character cue lets the reader know when a specific character is speaking.

It is simply the name of the character, centered and in all caps. Example:

MICHAEL

There is no punctuation for a normal character cue.

Character Cue: Character not Seen

When a character speaking is not seen by the audience the dialogue is considered a Voice Over. Examples of the need for a voice over include: God Someone in next room Someone on other end of a telephone conversation Character’s inner-voice

Voice Over is notated by placing (V.O.) after the character cue. Example:

YOUNG GIRL (V.O.)

Parenthetical Direction

A parenthetical direction can directly follow a character cue.

It is centered and written in lower case.

These directions give the reader or actor an idea of how the character says the line. Example:

MICHAEL(Frantically)

Character’s Speech

The character speech is the words that the character says. Even one word would be considered a speech.

Character Speeches are: Left justified at 2.5” from margin Ragged edged on right, no closer than 2.5” from

right margin In toggle case One continuous paragraph, no longer how long the

speech

Dialogue: True or False

When a character is speaking, but not seen (V.O.) is noted after their character cue.

True

Parenthetical Directions are long descriptions of what is happening in a scene.

False

Character Speeches are written in toggle case.

True

Additional Resources

WGA West, Screenwriter’s Resources

WGA East, Screenwriter’s Resources

Agency List