Screenplay Format
Below is a document demonstrating various elements of a standard screenplay format. A downloadable template for Word (ScriptSmart) which helps you to reproduce this format is available from BBC Writersroom. Many thanks to Matt Carless and BBC Writersroom for this.
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SCREENPLAY FORMAT
by
Matt Carless
Every script should have If you have an agent,
a title page with one contact the address and number
address only in the bottom can go here.
left hand corner. A draft number or date
Always include a phone number is not required on a
and an e-mail address if you spec script.
have one.
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1.
FADE IN:
EXT. LOCATION #1 - DAY
This is how to begin your film or television screenplay. Scene headings are typed in capitals and must indicate: interior or exterior, the location, and day or night.
Scene action is double-spaced under the heading in upper and lower case text with double-spacing between paragraphs.
Scene action should only deal with what is happening on the screen and must never stray into superfluous novelistic text related to character thoughts or back-story.
A general rule of thumb is to limit a paragraph of scene action to four or five lines. Consider each paragraph as a significant beat of action within your scene.
INT. LOCATION #2 - NIGHT
Begin a new scene with the heading triple-spaced from the preceding scene. Always follow a scene heading with a line of scene action.
CHARACTER #1
Character cues appear in capitals
indented to around the middle of
the page, but not centred. The
first letter of each cue is always
in alignment.
CHARACTER #2
A character is designated by
either their first or last name,
but a role designation may be used
instead with personal titles
abbreviated. The designated name
should remain consistent
throughout the script.
CHARACTER #1
Dialogue appears directly under
the character name in normal upper
and lower case text. Similarly,
it is not centred.
(pause)
Split dialogue between pages only
if at least two lines appear on
the first page, and only after a
sentence.
(MORE)
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2.
CHARACTER #1 (CONT'D)
Begin the following page with a
new character cue like this.
CHARACTER #2
(beat)
Parenthetical instructions appear
in lower case text enclosed within
brackets on a separate line in the
body of the dialogue.
(pause)
Never leave a parenthetical
hanging at the bottom of a page
when breaking a character's
speech. Move it to the top of the
next page under the character
name.
If scene action interrupts a character's speech on the same page...
CHARACTER #2 (CONT'D)
Then you must begin a new
character cue when continuing the
dialogue, but including (CONT'D)
isn't essential. Dialogue must
always be preceded by a character
name and never appear on its own.
INT. LOCATION #1 - DAY
On occasions, it may be necessary to indicate two characters speaking simultaneously. This should be used sparingly, but if you need to do it this is how.
CHARACTER #1 CHARATCTER #2
Show your first character While the character on
speaking on the left. the right tries to get a
word in edgeways.
CHARACTER #2
And finally manages to achieve it.
Try to limit the length of your
overlapping dialogue.
EXT. LOCATION #2 - NIGHT
Sometimes you may need a character to speak in a foreign language. Contrary to belief, it is not a good idea to write the foreign language itself. A general rule of thumb is to always submit a script in the same language as the person who'll be reading it.
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3.
CHARACTER #1
(in French)
Indicate the foreign language in
parenthesis and write the dialogue
as you normally would in English.
CHARACTER #2
(in Russian; English subtitles)
If your character is speaking in a
foreign language with subtitles,
then this is how to show it.
If, however, the entire scene is being spoken in a foreign language, then a special note should be included in the scene action.
NOTE: THE DIALOGUE IN THIS SCENE IS SPOKEN IN HUNGARIAN AND SUBTITLED IN ENGLISH.
CHARACTER #1
Then just write the dialogue
normally, in English.
CHARACTER #2
And when you reach the end of the
scene, include another special
note.
END OF SUBTITLES.
If there is a specific reason for showing the foreign language and the translation, use the dual dialogue method with the foreign language on the left and the translation on the right -- indicating that they are subtitles in parenthesis.
INT. LOCATION #2 - DAY
Scene transitions are technical information indicating the method of changing from one scene to another. A general rule of thumb is that every scene will CUT TO: the next if no transition is specified.
Transitions are generally only used in shooting scripts but, if it's absolutely necessary to specify one, it appears against the right-margin like this.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. LOCATION #1 - NIGHT
Always keep scene headings with the scene action. Don't leave loose headings hanging at the bottom of a page.
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4.
It's sometimes a good idea to start a new scene on a new page if there is only a line or two at the bottom of the previous one, but scenes can break over the page easily like this. Shooting scripts include CONTINUED at the top of the page, but this is unnecessary in a spec script.
LATER
If you need to indicate the passing of time through the same scene then use LATER as a sub-heading. There is no need to continuously repeat the master scene heading.
THE CORNER OF THE ROOM
Similarly, you can break up lengthy and complex scenes by focussing on specific areas of action with a sub-heading. This is useful when scripting large party or group scenes.
EXT. LOCATION #2 - NIGHT
Sometimes it may be necessary to hear characters when we can't actually see them.
CHARACTER #1 (O.S.)
Off Screen means the character is
physically present within the
scene, but can only be heard, e.g.
they are speaking from an
adjoining room.
CHARACTER #2 (V.O.)
Voiceover is used when the
character is not present within
the scene, but can be heard via a
mechanical device such as a
telephone or radio. It is also
used when a character narrates
parts of your story.
CHARACTER #2
If you need to differentiate
between a character's narration
and their on screen dialogue, then
handle it as separate speeches.
CHARACTER #2 (V.O.)
As (O.S.) and (V.O.) are technical
instructions, they appear next to
the character name.
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5.
INTERCUT - INT. LOCATION #1/LOCATION #2 - DAY
If it's necessary to CUT back and forth between simultaneous action in two different locations in the same scene, then handle your scene heading like this. Use this method when you want to show a phone conversation.
CHARACTER #1
(into phone)
You can then type your dialogue as
normal.
CHARACTER #2
(into phone)
Whilst indicating that both
characters are on the phone.
CHARACTER #1
(into phone)
Just make sure you indicate when
the character hangs up.
(hangs up)
Especially if you are going to
continue the dialogue and scene
beyond the phone conversation.
INT. LOCATION #1 - DAY
Alternatively, you can establish both locations separately.
CHARACTER #1
(into phone)
Show your first character speaking
into the phone like this.
INT. LOCATION #2 - DAY
Then establish your next location.
CHARACTER #2
(into phone)
And show your second character
like this.
INTERCUT:
CHARACTER #1
(into phone)
Then continue the conversation,
intercutting comfortably between
the two characters.
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6.
CHARACTER #2
(hangs up)
If you finish the conversation and
stay with one character, you don't
need to repeat the scene heading
as it has already been established
earlier.
INT. LOCATION #1 - NIGHT
Another way to write phone conversations is to show one character speaking but only hear the other.
CHARACTER #1
(into phone)
This is the character we see on
the phone.
CHARACTER #2 (V.O.)
Whilst we hear the second
character speaking at the other
end.
CHARACTER #1
(into phone)
But the first character remains
on-screen throughout the scene.
EXT./INT. LOCATION #1 - DAY
If you have a scene where the action is continuously moving between the interior and exterior of the same location, such as the hall and driveway of a house, do your scene heading like this.
But use INTERCUT for cutting back and forth between two separate pieces of action inside and outside.
SERIES OF SHOTS:
A) SERIES OF SHOTS: is a group of short shots which make up a narrative sequence, useful for advancing the story in a rapid or economical way.
B) The shots are presented in logical arrangement for the action with a beginning, middle and end point to the sequence.
C) MONTAGE: is a series of two or more images that blend into and out of each other in order to create a particular effect.
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7.
D) It is used to create an emotional environment, a main title sequence, or when representing archive stock footage.
E) Both SERIES OF SHOTS: and MONTAGE: are used to avoid multiple scene headings when scenes are deemed too short (often only one shot in length) to conform to the usual formatting rules.
EXT. LOCATION #2 - NIGHT
On-screen text, such as letters, e-mails, or signs, are formatted in a couple of ways. Brief text, such as a sign, can go in the body of the scene action: "THIS IS A SIGN"
"Something longer, like a letter,
is formatted like dialogue
enclosed within double-quote
marks. It can be in normal upper
and lower case text, OR ALL IN
CAPITALS depending on the text it
is representing."
EXT. LOCATION #1 - NIGHT - 1956, FLASHBACK
If you want flashbacks in your script, treat them as separate scenes and format your headings like this.
YOUNG CHARACTER #1
If it's important, you can include
the specific year or time period.
YOUNG CHARACTER #2
If your flashback takes place
across a number of consecutive
scenes, then specify it as a
flashback sequence in the heading.
Indicate when the flashback or flashback sequence finishes and begin a new scene.
END FLASHBACK.
INT. LOCATION #1 - DAY
As a rule, scene numbers are not included on a spec film script. They generally only appear on shooting scripts along with camera and technical directions (which should be avoided in a spec script). However, if you're submitting your script for feedback which specifies that it will include scene notes, it may be useful to number your scenes.
Don't forget to number all of your pages - page one begins with scene one, not the title page.
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8.
And keep all your pages together with a simple paper binder in the top left corner. Unfastened pages can become separated from the rest of the script and get lost!
FADE TO:
INT. LOCATION #2 - NIGHT
It is standard practice to sign-off a film script with THE END centred on the page, preceded by FADE OUT.
FADE OUT. only ever appears at the end of a feature-length screenplay, or an act in a television script. If you want to indicate a FADE OUT. and a FADE IN: within the body of the script, then the correct transitional term is FADE TO: as above.
However, as mentioned earlier, scene transitions should be avoided in spec scripts where possible.
FADE OUT.
THE END
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