✍️Screenwriting I Unit 2 – Screenplay Format and Style

What's the Big Deal?

• Screenplay format is the industry standard for presenting a story in a visual medium (film, television)
• Proper formatting allows for clear communication of the writer's vision to the production team
  • Helps the director, cinematographer, and actors understand the story's structure and pacing
• Consistency in formatting ensures that all professionals involved in the project can easily interpret the script
• Adhering to standard formatting conventions demonstrates professionalism and knowledge of the industry
• A well-formatted screenplay can help a writer's work stand out in a competitive market
• Proper formatting allows for accurate timing and budgeting of the project
  • One page of a screenplay typically equates to one minute of screen time

Key Elements of Screenplay Format

• Scene Headings: Indicate the location and time of day for each scene (INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY)
• Action Lines: Describe the actions, settings, and characters' behaviors within a scene
• Character Names: Appear in all caps (JOHN) when introduced and throughout the script
• Dialogue: Centered beneath the character's name, representing the words spoken by the characters
• Parentheticals: Provide brief descriptions of a character's action or tone while speaking (whispers)
• Transitions: Indicate how one scene moves to the next (CUT TO:, FADE IN:, FADE OUT)
• Shot Descriptions: Used sparingly to highlight specific camera angles or movements (CLOSE UP ON SARAH'S FACE)

Page Layout and Margins

• Standard screenplay format uses Courier 12-point font
  • This fixed-pitch font ensures consistent page count and timing
• Page margins should be set to 1.5 inches on the left and 1 inch on the right, top, and bottom
• The top and bottom margins allow space for page numbers and other necessary information
• The wider left margin provides room for binding and note-taking
• Dialogue should be centered within a 3.5-inch wide column
• Character names appear 3.7 inches from the left edge of the page, centered above their dialogue
• Page numbers appear in the top right corner, 0.5 inches from the top of the page

Scene Headings and Descriptions

• Scene headings, also called sluglines, indicate where and when a scene takes place
  • Formatted in all caps (EXT. CENTRAL PARK - NIGHT)
• Headings begin with either INT. (interior) or EXT. (exterior) to specify the location
• The location description follows, providing a brief, specific description of the setting (SARAH'S APARTMENT)
• The time of day (DAY or NIGHT) appears after the location, separated by a hyphen
• Scene descriptions appear directly below the heading, providing a visual description of the setting and action
  • Written in present tense and active voice
• Descriptions should be concise and evocative, focusing on essential details that advance the story

Character Introductions and Dialogue

• When a character first appears, their name is written in all caps followed by their age and brief description (JOHN (30), a tall, slender man with piercing blue eyes)
• Subsequent appearances of the character's name are also in all caps (JOHN)
• Dialogue appears centered beneath the character's name
  • Single-spaced within a dialogue block
  • Double-spaced between dialogue blocks
• Parentheticals provide brief descriptions of a character's action, tone, or delivery (angrily)
  • Appear in lowercase, enclosed in parentheses, on a separate line between the character's name and dialogue
• Dialogue should be concise, revealing character and advancing the story
  • Each line of dialogue should be no more than 3-4 lines on the page

Action Lines and Transitions

• Action lines describe the actions, settings, and characters' behaviors within a scene
  • Written in present tense and active voice
  • Single-spaced and left-aligned
• Transitions indicate how one scene moves to the next
  • Common transitions include CUT TO:, FADE IN:, FADE OUT, and DISSOLVE TO:
  • Formatted in all caps and followed by a colon, right-aligned on the page
• Shot descriptions, used sparingly, highlight specific camera angles or movements
  • Formatted in all caps (CLOSE UP ON SARAH'S FACE)
  • Should only be used when essential to the story or visual narrative
• Montages and series of shots can be described using a series of action lines or a list of short, descriptive phrases

Common Formatting Mistakes to Avoid

• Using a font other than Courier 12-point
  • Other fonts can alter page count and timing
• Inconsistent margins or indentations
  • Stick to the standard margins and indentations for each element
• Overusing shot descriptions or camera angles
  • Only include when essential to the story
• Writing excessively long action lines or dialogue blocks
  • Keep descriptions and dialogue concise and easy to read
• Neglecting to introduce characters properly
  • Always introduce characters with all caps and a brief description
• Misusing or omitting transitions
  • Use transitions consistently to clarify the flow of scenes
• Including too much technical jargon or directorial instructions
  • Focus on telling the story visually through action and dialogue

Tools and Software for Screenplay Writing

• Screenwriting software helps writers format their scripts correctly and efficiently
  • Examples include Final Draft, Celtx, and Fade In
• These programs provide templates, automatic formatting, and collaboration tools
• Many offer features like story outlining, index cards, and revision tracking
• Some software integrates with production tools for budgeting and scheduling
• Free or low-cost options like Trelby and Highland are also available
• While not essential, screenwriting software can streamline the writing and formatting process
• Ultimately, the most important aspect is the content of the script itself
  • Proper formatting, while crucial, should serve the story and the writer's vision