ScriptLinks CA Basic Screenplay Format
This guide covers the basic elements of current screenplay format and specs according to the industry. Sources include: magazines, screenwriting gurus, filmmakers, their books, and websites.
- Use plain white 20lb. paper, three-hole punched
- Bind with two fasteners - 1 1/4" brass brads(#5's)
- Plain white or cream card stock cover (80 lb.).
- Can print the title along the bound edge with a fine-tipped black felt pen.
- No double-sided scripts.
- Centre the title on the page, followed by a space, then 'by Author'.
Basic Screenplay Format
by
M.A. Walker
- Contact information at the bottom left or right of the page. Include address, telephone number and email address for yourself or your agent.
- Do not include a date unless the script is already sold, nor a draft number.
- Include copyright information at your own discretion. Some producers tend to interpret a copyright notice as amateur's paranoia.
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- Slug lines are preceded by two or three spaces.
- Description and dialogue should be single-spaced.
- Double-space between headings, descriptive and dialogue.
- Space up to four lines between acts for episodic TV, dialogue double-spaced for half-hour sitcoms.
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- Can CAP a word in descriptive for emphasis or sound, but it's not required. Don't overdo it.
- Avoid paragraphs that introduce several characters at the same time or have several sound effects.
- Caps are generally preferred for signs and headlines, etc.
- Cap a sound not made by a human. Sounds made by characters are not considered sound cues and do not require capitalization.
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- Some flexibility in margin spacing, not written in stone.
- Dialogue right margin is flexible. Parentheticals right margin is flexible. Don't justify right margin.
- Character name is left indented, not centered.
Top of page - 1"
Left margin - 1.5"
Bottom of page - .5" - 1.5"
Character - 3.5"
Parentheticals - 3" to 5.5"
Dialogue - 2.5" - 3" to 5" - 5.5"
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- Don't use justification.
- If we don't know who is talking, use the word NARRATOR as the character's name.
- Use the same character name as the CHARACTER CUE in dialogue throughout the script.
- In most cases, keep dialogue brief and to the point. Move the story forward.
- Break up long speeches in dialogue.
- Spell out one and two-digit numbers, personal titles (except Mr., etc.), times, and most other words.
- Words are never broken by a hyphen at the end of a line of dialogue unless it's a naturally hyphenated word such as twenty-three, point-blank, etc.
- Avoid dual dialogue.
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- CAP a character name the first time it is mentioned. Use numbers to indicate a character's age, not spelled out.
- Don't need to cap names of characters without speaking parts but it's not incorrect if you do.
- Use caps to intro name of character already introduced but by another heading. (e.g. YOUNG WOMAN, CASSIE SMITH).
- Don't use a character's name in descriptive unless name is first used in dialogue, except for a major character - only one or two per script.
- A character name can be an actual name (JOHN) or description (FAT MAN) or an occupation (DOCTOR).
- Characters with only a line or two of dialogue usually aren't given names. Very minor characters should be referred to by function or characteristic (SHY GEEK, MACHO COP).
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There are four elements in a scene heading, or slugline.
Camera Location
- INT. - for interior scenes
- EXT. - for exterior scenes
- INT./EXT. - for scenes that occur in both, such as doorways, or where characters move from inside to outside during the scene.
- If still in the same master scene, secondary headings don't require repetition of the first element.
Location
- Don't put character names in the slugline.
- Keep location description brief.
- Location descriptions proceed from general to specific.
- Use a dash to separate general location from specific. Don't use two dashes together.
Time
- DAY or NIGHT: most sources insist only these two times are acceptable.
- Some sources suggest DAWN or DUSK is acceptable.
- A few say any word that describes the time can be used, such as: EVENING, HIGH NOON, TWO O'CLOCK, etc.
- If a specific time is important to the story then put it in the description.
Specific or Additional Time
- Used at the end of the scene heading to indicate special time or setting changes. There's debate about use of some or any of these variants.
- CONTINUOUS is used when a master scene continues from one location to another, as from a room or to outside.
- SAME is used for a scene that takes place at the same time as or just after the scene preceding it.
- Use other headings in parentheses such as (DREAM), or a specific time or date.
- FLASHBACK, with PRESENT DAY in the following scene heading.
General Notes
- The same slugline is never repeated ... space or time has to change for a new one.
- Use LATER as its own slug line without INT. or EXT.
- Never number scenes in a spec script.
Sample Scene Headings
EXT. LOG CABIN - DAY
INT. MANSION - MASTER BEDROOM - NIGHT (1842)
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Shots
- Use camera directions (ANGLE ON, CLOSE UP) either rarely or not at all. Don't include special effects.
- Write camera directions into the descriptive.
- CAP a word for emphasis, instead of using a camera angle. Can place a word as a secondary heading (shot) for emphasis.
- Action scenes - the William Goldman method. A subject is capped as a shot alternating with the rest of the action.
Superimpose or Title Over - Indicates a specific time or place on screen.
EXT. NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL - DAY
SUPERIMPOSE: October 19, 1997
Intercut -When moving between scenes use INTERCUT WITH: before a full scene heading.
P.O.V. (Point of View)
- Write a P.O.V. through the eyes of the character.
- When you break from P.O.V. insert a slugline: BACK TO SCENE if the scene where the P.O.V. originated continues. If not, go on to the next scene.
- Some sources advise not to use it.
Transitions
- Use transitions rarely or not at all. (FADE TO:, DISSOLVE TO:, WIPE TO:)
- CUT TO: only when there is not a logical progression from one scene to the next.
Fade In
Use FADE IN: at the beginning of the script, either left justified before the first slug line or as a transition line on the right margin.
Fade Out
FADE OUT: at the end of a script at right margin. Can be followed by THE END centered a few lines below.
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Parentheticals
- Parentheticals appear between the character name and dialogue.
- Wrylies: parentheticals that briefly describe a character's action or dialogue. Many sources advise to use sparingly or not at all. Avoid telling actors how to act.
- For characters or voices heard over a telephone, computer, radio, TV, etc. indicate the device (on phone) if not clearly indicated in descriptive. (Filtered) is considered passe.
- Foreign languages use parentheses to indicate language (in French).
- Avoid using (beat). If you must indicate a pause find a more descriptive word.
Extensions
- Extensions follow CHARACTER (in parentheses).
- Off Screen (O.S.) means a character is in the scene, but not visible. For a character heard from behind a door, from a different room, or otherwise obscured by physical barriers or angles.
- Off Camera (O.C.). serves the same purpose but is only used in TV.
- Voice Over (V.O.) for a character not in the scene, and for narrative. Use if a character is in the scene, but also acting as narrator. Use (V.O.) for the unseen character in a telephone conversation, though not strictly necessary.
- When a character's speech is followed by descriptive, then their speech continues, place (cont.) after the character name. Becoming passé.
- If dialogue spills over a page, put (MORE) on the line after the last line of speech (indented like a character name) then repeat the character name on the new page with (cont'd). Becoming passé.
Sample Dialogue
DOCTOR MARTIN (V.O.)
(on phone)
Don't tell me to quit smoking.
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Sources
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Last Updated - Thursday, October 22, 2009
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