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Sep 1, 2019 · How To Format a Screenplay. What is standard screenplay format? Screenplay format is relatively simple, but it’s one of those things that can seem a bit daunting until you’ve actually learned how to do it. The basics of script formatting are as follows: 12-point Courier font size. 1.5 inch margin on the left of the page.
- Formatting a Screenplay
Script Writing Format: Screenplays are typically 90-110...
- Formatting a Screenplay
- 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
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 ...
Aug 22, 2023 · One page in a screenplay is roughly equivalent to one minute of screen time. A typical script for a feature-length film runs 90–120 pages, or one-and-a-half to two hours.
- Destiny Jackson
Aug 5, 2021 · Script Writing Format: Screenplays are typically 90-110 pages in length. Format helps determine run time, schedule & budget. Why screenplay format? The importance of movie script format.
Aug 30, 2021 · Learn How to Format a Screenplay: Step-by-Step Guide. Written by MasterClass. Last updated: Aug 30, 2021 • 8 min read. A screenplay is a blueprint for a feature-length movie, short film, or television show, and it is the first step in taking your story from page to screen.
May 9, 2023 · Consistent screenplay format is essential for all screenwriters. While there are nuances and variances that screenwriters can utilize (some of which we'll cover below), the basic master scene format is the objective necessity when it comes to how your screenplay should be formatted.
Dec 8, 2022 · Screenplay Format 101. If you are writing a feature film script that you want a professional producer or development executive to take seriously, then you need to be writing in the Master Scene Format. The Scene Heading. The first formatting element is the scene heading – also dubbed the slug line.
