script formatting: a tutorial by kathleen sullivan
Post on 24-Dec-2015
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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: 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.
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
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