IntroductiontoScene Format

Basic Format

•  1 page of script = 1 minute of screen time •  American movies run approximately 90

minutes, so scripts are about 90 pages long. •  Typed in 12 pt. Courier font •  Scripts follow a set of rules for paragraphing or

indentations for each section. •  These indentations can be accomplished with

programs such as Word or with specialized screenwriting software such as Final Draft. There are also free versions online such as CELTX.

Screenplay Elements

There are Six Elements of a Screenplay:

Scene Heading Action

Character Parenthetical

Dialogue Transition

Example 1   INT. CLASSROOM- DAY 1

We see MR. JONES, 46, an algebra teacher slumped over his desk in a classroom. He is sound asleep and we can hear him SNORING as he drools onto a stack of papers. A STUDENT, 16, enters.

STUDENT(timidly)

Excuse me, Mr. Jones?

The student speaks even louder when the teacher doesn’t respond.

STUDENT(louder)

Mr. Jones?

Mr. Jones sits up abruptly, looks at the student, and then drops back onto the desk, falling back asleep.

CUT TO:

SceneHeadings or SLUGLINES

•  The screenwriter needs to number each scene. These numbers will help organize the filming process.

•  Scenes change with every new setting or close-up.

•  The screenwriter must notate if the scene is inside (INT.), which is short for “interior” or outside (EXT.), which is short for “exterior.”

•  The scene heading should also include the TIME OF DAY.

•  Scene Headings are also known as SLUGLINES.

Examples

1  INT. SCHOOL CLASSROOM- DAY 1 2  EXT. PLAYGROUND- DAY 2

3  INT. SCHOOL CAFETERIA- DAY 3

4  EXT. PARKING LOT- NIGHT 4

Perspective

•  A screenplay is written from the perspective of what “we see.”

Example: “We see a man passed out on a teacher’s desk in a classroom. His head is down on the desk, and he’s drooling onto a stack of papers.”

Action Lines •  After the scene heading, double-space and then write a few

lines describing the setting, characters, or action.

•  Character names are CAPITALIZED in the description lines the first time they are introduced. The first time a character is introduced, the character’s age should be included along with a brief character description.

•  Sound effects or any music should be CAPITALIZED in the description lines for the sound editors and musical directors.

•  POV– stands for “point of view”– If a scene is written from a particular character’s point of view, include this information in the description lines.

–  Example: From the teacher’s POV, he sees a student standing in

the doorway of the classroom. The student moves toward him at the desk.

Character, parentheticals, & Dialogue

•  When characters speak, their names are shown in ALL CAPS and their dialogue is centered underneath their names.

•  Stage directions or tone of voice should be included in (parentheses) underneath the character’s name but before the dialogue lines.

Look at the Example Again.

1   INT. CLASSROOM- DAY 1

We see MR. JONES, 46, an algebra teacher slumped over his desk in a classroom. He is sound asleep and we can hear him SNORING as he drools onto a stack of papers. A STUDENT, 16, enters.

STUDENT(timidly)

Excuse me, Mr. Jones?

The student speaks even louder when the teacher doesn’t respond.

STUDENT(louder)

Mr. Jones?

Mr. Jones sits up abruptly, looks at the student, and then drops back onto the desk, falling back asleep.

CUT TO:

Slugline

Ac-onCharacter Parenthe-cal

Dialogue

Transi-on

Transitions & CameraAngles

•  The screenwriter does not have to worry very much about camera angles with the exception of key scenes for emphasis.

•  Camera angles are planned by the director. It’s the director’s job to figure out how to film the scenes.

Terms

Term Meaning

ANGLEON Canbeusedtoshowwhothecamerashouldbelookingat.ANGLEONtheteachersiAngatthedesk.

FAVORING Alsousedtoshowthesubjectoftheshot.FAVORINGtheteacherashesitsatthedesk

ANOTHERANGLEorNEWANGLE UsedtoshowachangeincameraangleonthesubjectANOTHERANGLEoftheteachersiAngatthedesk

The following terms can be included in the action lines of a scene to describe what “we” see, or they can be used at the end of scenes as transitions into the next scene. The writer doesn’t need to be too concerned with using these terms too much because it is the director’s job to map out, plan, and execute the specific angles of each scene. Use these terms sparingly and

only if there is a particular camera angle that is important to a specific scene.

Term Meaning

WIDERANGLE UsedforchangingthescenetoawideshotthatallowsustoseemoreoftheseAng.WIDERANGLEoftheclassroom

MOVINGSHOT Usedtoshowsomethinginmo-onMOVINGSHOTofstudentsrunningintotheclassroomandscreaming.

CLOSESHOTorCLOSE-UP Usedtoshowsomethingupclose–usesparinglyforemphasisC.U.oftheessayontheteacher’sdeskcoveredwithredpeninkedits.

FADEINorDISSOLVEIN Usedatthebeginningofascreenplay

FADEOUTorDISSOLVEOUT Usedattheendofascreenplay

CUTTO Usedtoshowaquickandabruptscenechange–usessparinglytoemphasizeaquickchange

Application

Read the sample screenplay excerpt and complete the “Script Analysis” guide in

order to observe the elements of screenplay writing in action.