Search results
Sep 1, 2019 · Learn the basics of screenplay format, such as font size, margins, scene headings, transitions, character introductions, action, dialogue, and more. See examples of formatted scripts and tips for writing better dialogue and story.
Aug 5, 2021 · Learn how to format a screenplay with industry standard rules and elements, such as sluglines, action lines, character cues, dialogue, and more. See examples, templates, and tips from professional screenwriters and download over 250+ scripts in StudioBinder's library.
- Screenplay Margins
- Screenplay Font and Size
- Screenplay Line Spacing
- Character Introduction in A Screenplay
- Screenplay Dialogue Format
- How to Describe Characters in A Screenplay
- Screenplay Scene Headings
- Page Number Formatting and Placement
- Interrupted Dialogue in A Screenplay
- Screenplay Parentheticals
- GeneratedCaptionsTabForHeroSec
First, let’s set up your margins: top margin at 1 inch, left margin at 1.5 inches, and right margin at 1 inch. The bottom margin should be at 1 inch as well, though it varies as there are rules if dialogue breaks between pages.
On to the font: Courier or Courier New, size 12. Okay, great. Time to get the party started. Type your opening transition. This is an (arguably) optional first step. Left justified, in all caps, write the glorious opening phrase: FADE IN: You’re basically done already.
Double space, staying left justified at 1.5 inches, and we’ll hit our first required element: the Master Scene Heading (don’t let off caps lock just yet.) INT. LOCATION ONE - DAY Also known as the slugline or master slugline, this element consists of three parts. The first is either interior (INT) or exterior (EXT), indicating if the scene takes pl...
When introducing a major character (and by “major” it’s generally meant “one with a speaking part”), put his or her name in all caps, but only the first time. Give them a little description as well, but don’t make the newbie mistake of trying to cast your main character. That’s not your job. So the protagonist is in the bar now. As much as the sile...
To write dialogue, start with an element called a character cue. That’s the part the actor will highlight when he’s trying to memorize his lines. Every character cue starts at 3.7 inches from the left of the page and is in all caps. Soft return to a new margin of 2.5 inches. This is the dialogue, the section where the character’s words are written....
Go ahead and introduce your antagonist. What is he doing? He’s working on some sort of Puppy Killing Device? Wow, what a tool. That’s the kind of evil genius who would probably create some sort of robot that serves him, huh? Speaking of his evil robot, it’s in the kitchen right off the main evil lair, cooking him some pizza rolls. He calls to his m...
No! Let’s do a secondary scene heading, also known as a sub-slugline. It’s still double spaced from the action line above, but we can chop of the “INT” part, since we know he’s still inside. And we know the time hasn’t changed, so go ahead and chop off that “– NIGHT” part too. So instead of writing INT. EVIL LAIR, KITCHEN – NIGHT just write EVIL LA...
One of the few things you’ll right justify is your page numbers. At .5 inch down from the top and 1 inch in from the right, put your page number and a period. That’s it. Nothing fancier needed. Look, we left your antagonist for five seconds and he’s already about to chomp down on a still-scalding pizza roll. This is good for us, because the pain wi...
Note when a character is interrupted, two hyphens indicate the cut off. Yikes. Your bad guy’s backstory is really coming along nicely. But this is getting a bit depressing, so I think it’s about time we move back to the present. INT. EVIL LAIR, KITCHEN – NIGHT (PRESENT) You’re a pretty evil writer, giving your Antagonist a past like that. Look at h...
This is where will throw in a small element that goes by many names: some call them Actor Instructions, others Parentheticals, and even others call them wrylies. They go on their own line after the character cue, but before the dialogue, to indicate how the actor should intonate the subsequent dialogue. Left justified at 3.1 inches. Do not overuse ...
Learn the basic rules and elements of screenplay format, such as margins, font, line spacing, sluglines, character cues, and dialogue. See examples of how to write a screenplay with clear and concise action and dialogue.
Aug 30, 2021 · Learn the basics of screenplay formatting, including page numbers, margins, fonts, and slug lines. Follow the steps to write a professional and readable screenplay for movies, films, or TV shows.
Dec 8, 2022 · Learn the industry-standard feature screenplay format and why it matters for your script. Find out how to use scene headings, action, characters, parentheticals, dialogue, and transitions correctly.
May 9, 2023 · Learn the basic elements of screenwriting format, such as font, margins, scene headings, action, dialogue, and transitions. Find out why script format is important and how to use screenwriting software to simplify the process.
Apr 27, 2023 · Learn how to format a script according to industry standards and best practices. This article covers font, margins, spacing, page numbers, and other elements of screenplay formatting.
