How can screenplays be formatted for film and TV
There's no perfect way to write or format a script, formatting yours rightly can be a boon to your entire production. A well-written screenplay helps arrange your videographers, actors and directors to form an efficient group. The script also communicates effectively your vision, getting everyone together in order to make it come to life.
Since formatting is so crucial to the final film today, we'll be tackling the basics. Word, ya heard?
The fundamentals
Screenwriting is essentially composed of four parts. These include:
- Scene headings (aka "slug lines")
- Action
- Names of characters
- Dialogue
Slug lines
Stage direction and shot headings (aka "slug lines") assist in setting the stage and establish the scene. Therefore, the beginning of each new scene you create in your screenplay should have a short Slug line.
Here's what they look like:
You may have seen, slug lines have been drawn across the entire page, from the left margin from right margin to left in all capital letters. Then, you'll notice "INT." as well as "EXT." which stands for "interior" as well as "exterior" and "exterior" respectively. These descriptions provide the viewer with the context for the scene -- interior meaning the scene takes place inside, and exterior meaning the scene takes place outdoors.
Finally, it is important to be aware that a hyphen or dash can be used to distinguish the location from the time of day at which the scene is taking place.
Action
Action describes what viewers can expect to see on the screen. It's written always in present tense and should follow the grammar rules that have been established for years.
While some screenwriters choose to add camera direction into their screenplay (i.e. "As the actor walks past the camera, we zoom in to observe a man peaking in the distance .") We do not recommend this addition. In your screenplay, direction is best left to the director to dictate.
Names of characters
Names of characters often come in course of the action. When they do, capitalize their names. If introducing a character or when referring to the character's behavior within the story, always capitalize their name. This applies to all characters -- from the protagonist to BODYGUARD and MAGICIAN.
In the event that you do not want to capitalize characters:The exception to this rule is if one character refers to another one by name within dialog. In this case, for example " Hey Kat, could you give me the phone?"As apposed to when the action takes place, KAT hands COREY the phone.
Dialogue
Dialogue is anything your characters speak to each other. While you compose and format your work, remember that screenplay dialogue uses no quotation marks. Instead, center the words on the page under the name of the character who says the words.
Additionally, if you wish to add detail of what the person's appearance is or what they say in the phrase, simply include it below their name. For example:
Putting it all together
The screenplay you write should be on regular 8.5 x 11-inch paper. Always, always use 12 point Courier font. If you can afford it then install Final Draft for your computer (about $300 for the latest program). The self-formatting screenwriting application is the most prestigious in the field of film and will help you save many hours of formatting and revising time.
Here's an example of a well-formatted screenplay that makes use of all of the methods we've discussed through:
You're now ready to create your own masterpiece. Good luck!