Screenplay Format – The complete and easy guide to formatting your script
Screenplay formatting made easy
There is lot of stress and online chatter about how to format a screenplay. What’s right and mostly what’s not.
I want to assure you that when you finish reading this post you’ll know how to format your script.
And more importantly you’ll know there is nothing to fear, and that it is not that important to begin with.
Industry standard open doors
You can have someone fix your formatting on fiverr or other services
for 15$. This means you need to focus on your script – Plot, charaters,
dialogue. Industry-standart formatting is great, but anyone can do it.
In fact EVERY SCREENWRITING SOFTWARE does that automatically.
You need to write the best script you can.
My goal here is to get you familiar with formatting so that you don’t stress over it and free your self to actually write.
Don’t obsess over formatting, learn the basics so you write in industry-standard but please don’t waste time or stress over it.
Proper formatting is important for two reasons:
- Your script will read better.The reader will easily understand your vision and will enjoy the story more.
- Production companies and agents get a lot of materials. If your script doesn’t look professional, they might not read it.
Make sure you submit a script that follows industry-standard.
But –
- Don’t obsess about every little detail.
- Don’t waste time or use formatting as a way to procrastinate. Your real job is to write an excellent script.
Remember
If you can solve it with $15 –
it’s not a problem!
Industry-Standard Formatting. Got it!
But wait, which industry?
This guide is referring to the American/English-speaking industry standard.
If you are not an American screenwriter:
- That’s excellent news for you – read here why.
- You can still use this guide. (From my experience Americans seems to take formatting more seriously than anywhere else).
How to format a screenplay and not lose your mind
We’ll go step by step over all the main formatting elements.
All the example’s are from the pilot episode of Grey’s Anatomy.
Fonts
Font: Courier.
Font Size: 12 points.
This way the rule of thumb of 1 page=1 minute on screen, is kept. Mostly.
Scene Heading (AKA Slug Line)
Every scene starts with a scene heading or a slug line
(same thing, different name).
A scene heading or a slug line is a short description that indicates
where and when the scene takes place.
The scene heading offers crucial information for all the production
departments, as well as the reader.
Every scene heading has 3 elements:
1. Interior or Exterior
Int = Interior.
Ext = Exterior.
Int/Ext = Both.
2. Location
3. Time of day
- Slug lines are in All CAPS.
- Use the FORWARD SLASH If the scene takes place in 2 or more locations. If the character is on the move, a phone call. Etc.
Remember, the whole point is to be understood. As long as your choice is elegant and clear you’ll be fine.
Action
This part describes what will be seen and heard on screen.
Lets see how the great Shonda Rhimes did it:
Character
1. The first time a character appears in the script.
The character’s name in CAPS or BOLD or both.
Age – in parenthetical.
Mention age for main and repeating characters only unless there is a specific need to know the age.
(This is important for casting)
Add a short description of the character.
2. Character’s name in the action line
Just write the name. Nothing to it.
3. Character’s name in dialogue.
CAPS , CENTERED and ABOVE the dialogue. Easy.
Dialogue
What the character says is written below the character’s name, in the center of the page.
VOICE OVER
When
the character talks, but the other characters can’t hear. Usually, it
is used as the character’s inner voice, narration etc.
Parenthetical
There seems to be a lot of misunderstanding when it comes to using parenthetical in a script.
Using
parenthetical correctly can make your script better. Just as using too
much of it or misusing it can make reading your screenplay a tiring
experience.
Lets put every thing together
This is the first page, of the first episode of the first season of Grey’s Anatomy.
See all the formatting elements look on the page.
When in doubt
If you are not sure you wrote your script in the right format, do one or more of these:
- Read screenplays of show and films that were produced and broadcast, preferably ones you liked to watch (it’s just more fun that way). See how the pros did it. You can find free screenplays to read here and here.
- Use a screenwriting software. There are great free options out there, like this one and this one.
- Email me or ask in the FB group.
That’s it!
Now you are free to concentrate on what REALLY matters. Your script.
If you are just starting out working on a script, I suggest starting with a script treatment.
You can learn how to write a script treatment here.
For more tips, inspiration and support join our Facebook group.
