What Is Hollywood Screenplay Format

What Is Hollywood Screenplay Format?

If you ever want somebody in the film industry to read your story and seriously consider transforming it into a movie then there are a few rules you need to adhere to. Principally format. Producers, agents, readers, actors and development executives - your first audience - need to be able to sit down with your work and imagine your words transformed into pictures and dialogue on the big screen.

To do this, you have to help them. You have to take away as many obstacles as possible and make their reading experience enjoyable, engaging and most of all.. easy. Many people say that the first ten pages of a screenplay are the most important because if you haven't grabbed the reader by then, they may well put your script down and move on to the next in their pile.

That's where the screenplay formatting guidelines come in. Through the years an industry standard has developed for the presentation of scripts. From size of margins, to page numbering, to placement of text on the page. This all has to be taken into consideration when writing your screenplay so that the reader doesn't have to struggle through your words in order to understand their meaning. The whole concept of screenplay formatting is essentially an aesthetic one. To make each page of your script look clear and legible.

What Are The Industry Standard Script Formatting Guidelines?

Read our screenwriting terms section for a full list of the most common terms used in film production and screenwriting. It's a good idea to read through this and familiarize yourself with the language of film - but it's an even better idea to buy or download screenplays from the web and read as many as you can! This will help you familiarize yourself with screenplay layout, story pacing and structure.

Once you understand the terminology you need to understand the script layout. Thankfully, Movie Outline takes the complexity out of formatting your screenplay by automatically doing it for you as you type through the intelligent use of auto-complete and keyboard shortcuts. It's a good idea to read a published screenplay while reading this section so you can see how these formatting rules apply and understand them in context.

Dissecting Screenplay Format

Hollywood script format is simple once you understand the basics. A screen story is divided into many scenes and each of these scenes is a location. A location when written in a screenplay needs to be described by the screenwriter to the reader in a certain way so that they instantly understand the most important three pieces of information about it:

• Whether it's inside or outside
• Where the scene takes place
• Time of day

These elements form the Scene Heading otherwise know as the Slugline or Slug.

1. THE SLUGLINE

Each introduction of a scene appears on a single line (called the slugline) which contains the location information and time of day. Almost all sluglines begin with INT. (interior) or EXT. (exterior). There are very few exceptions except when either repeatedly cutting back to a scene or moving through locations within the principle location.

For example: INT. BAR - NIGHT

If you have already introduced the BAR as a location you can simply use "BACK TO BAR" as a subsequent slugline. Or if you have introduced a HOUSE as a location and are writing a sequence in which a character moves through each room, you can use BEDROOM or LOUNGE as the slugline in order to maintain the flow of the sequence.

SUPER can also be used to denote superimposed information, such as: SUPER: "Three years later"

INTERCUT BETWEEN can be used as a slugline for a phone conversation after the location of each party is established with prior sluglines. INTERCUT: can also be used to achieve the same effect but as a TRANSITION.

If in doubt, always begin sluglines with INT. or EXT. and end with DAY or NIGHT, unless a special time of day is dramatically essential, i.e. two lovers watching the sun rise: EXT. BEACH - SUNRISE.

2. THE SHOT

A shot must not be confused with a slugline even though it appears in capital letters in a similar format. A shot focuses the reader's attention on something specific within the scene, such as a person or object.

For example:

ANGLE ON JACK, C.U. ON GUN or JACK'S POV. Sometimes screenwriters use a shot to draw attention to something, then follow this with a little description and then write BACK TO SCENE and continue the main scene action.

3. THE ACTION ELEMENT

This appears immediately after your slugline, is preceded by one blank line and runs from left to right margin, spanning the full width of the text on the page. The Action sets the scene, describes the setting, and allows you to introduce your characters and set the stage for your story. Action is written in real time. Write cleanly and crisply what the audience sees on the screen. Only create atmosphere through "flowery" description if that atmosphere is essential to your scene, otherwise it is redundant and slows the script down.

For example: If you're writing a horror and are introducing a haunted house, it is necessary to set the tone and so a few sentences of description adds to the reading experience. It also allows the reader to get a "real time" sensation as if watching the movie on screen. But if two characters are in the middle of a heated debate, keep action description to an absolute minimum in order to maintain the flow of the conversation and scene.

When writing action, the best thing to do is to imagine you are having a conversation with someone over a coffee and recounting an interesting story. This way you only explain the key points that move the story along and do not focus on the irrelevant aspects. Try to write in small paragraphs, no more than four or five lines per paragraph, then double-spacing to the next paragraph. In fact, by isolating action and images in their own paragraphs, the writer suggests visual emphasis in the story; subliminally contributing to the visual direction.

Capitalize a character name on introduction only and give them a specific age and gender. This information is critical for not only comprehension of the story, but casting and budgeting as well. Capitalize all major sound effects, avoid describing clothing or hairstyles, unless it's crucial to the story and do not write action in parentheses after a character name, i.e. GEORGE (lighting a cigarette). Also, try to avoid using the word "camera." Use "we" instead. For example: instead of "The camera follows..." use "We follow..."

4. CHARACTER NAME

This appears in caps, tabbed toward the center of the page and is followed by dialogue. A character name can be an actual name (JACK) or description (FAT MAN) or an occupation (DOCTOR). Sometimes, you might have COP #1 and then COP #2 speaking. It is okay to identify the speaking parts like this, but actors will like you more if you personalize their part with a name. Try to be consistent. Don't call a character JOE here and MR. JONES there.

5. DIALOGUE

This appears tabbed between the left margin (where sluglines and action are) and the character name margin. Writing good dialogue is an art in itself and sometimes novices tend to over-write it, making scenes slow, chatty and "play-like." Remember, people don't talk as formally as they write but on the other hand, keep slang and vernacular to a minimum and don't write out accents or regional dialects.

Your dialogue should reflect the personality of each character and give an insight into them. Try to personalize dialogue from one character to the next (but don't over do it) so that the reader can distinguish between the key players in your story. Make it sound real and conversational, so that the audience feels like a fly on the wall, and try where possible to subtly express inner feelings or conflicts rather than using dialogue that's too "on the nose".

People rarely say exactly what they mean. There is always subtext. Even when people are being candid, there's still subtext. Indicate the truth and let the audience fill in the gaps or read between the lines. This is far more interesting than being told outright what to think. For instance, in the Hollywood movie Jerry Maguire, Tom Cruise's character says "You complete me" rather than "I love you" to Dorothy and this was set-up earlier through an encounter with a young couple in love who used sign language. The key is to make the audience think where possible rather than handing everything to them on a plate, and this means being clever with your dialogue which sometimes may not even be necessary if the same sentiment or message can be expressed visually.

6. PARENTHETICAL

Parentheticals (or "wrylies") appear left indented (not centered) within brackets beneath the character name and are used to express an attitude for the actor who is speaking.. i.e. upset, crying, laughing, irritated, angry etc. Parentheticals should be short, to the point, descriptive, and only used when absolutely necessary.

7. THE TRANSITION ELEMENT

Scene transitions such as CUT TO: and DISSOLVE TO: are optional and when used should be right-indented (but not flush right) and preceded by one blank line and followed by two blank lines. When breaking pages, the scene transition must remain with the shot just completed. In other words, it is never permissible to start a new page with a CUT TO: or a DISSOLVE TO:. It must be placed at the bottom of the previous page.

Transitions should be omitted if you are rapidly cutting between scenes, since inserting them would disrupt the flow of the sequence; such as in a montage or a chase through each room of a house. Transitions are primarily used to denote a major shift in time or location, and sometimes, like using MATCH CUT TO:, for effect.

Quick Reference Guide:

·         font: 12 point Courier

·         spacing between dialogue and action (two lines)

·         left margin 1.5''

·         right margin 1.5''

·         tab for left dialogue margin 2.5''

·         tab for right dialogue margin 2.5''

Screenplay Format Guide

Everyone has a story to tell. Script formatting — the standard way a script is visually structured on the page — is a key factor in telling those stories successfully. For beginning screenwriters, the rules of script formatting can initially seem confusing. However, they need not be. Those starting out in screenwriting can benefit from learning the formatting standards, pitfalls, and pointers common to the professional screenwriting industry.

First and foremost, good formatting provides an easy and enjoyable reading experience. Furthermore, it demonstrates professionalism. When scripts are readable and clean, it shows readers that writers are serious about their work and increases the likelihood that a script will be sold for production.

Although the rules of formatting are not always concrete, a number of them are considered standard practice.

Screenplay Format and Properties

Below are some essential tips for formatting your screenplay.

Page Margins

·         Top margins should be set at 1 inch.

·         Bottom and right margins should be set between a quarter of an inch and an inch.

·         Left margins should be set at 1.5 inches, to accommodate for binding.

Font and Page Numbers

·         Your font should always be set as Courier and at size 12. This makes the script more readable and allows the reader to roughly estimate the running time of your movie. (Scripts with these parameters generally play out as one minute of screen time per page.)

·         Page numbers should appear at the top of the page. They should be set flush right, followed by a period.

·         Include page numbers on every page except for the title page and the first page of your script.

Scene Headings

Screenplays are divided into units called scenes. The beginning of each scene is demarcated by a heading (also known as a “slug line”). These headings contain three sections.

·         An indication whether the scene is set inside (“interior”) or outside (“exterior”), demonstrated with the abbreviation “EXT” or “INT”.

·         The location of the scene.

·         The time of day portrayed in the scene, which is usually general (“day” or “night”) but can be specified further if needed.

A proper scene heading might look like this:

Action

Action is the narrative description of events in a scene. It is also known as “direction,” “visual exposition” or “scene direction.”

·         Action should be written in the present tense.

·         Action should only describe what can be seen and heard.

·         When writing action, the text should extend out both margins and be formatted single-spaced.

Characters and Dialogue

Dialogue formatting is used whenever a character speaks, even if the speaking occurs off-screen.

·         Format-wise, dialogue is aligned down the center of the page.

·         Format is indented left between an inch and 1.5 inches from the left margin and indented right 1.5 inches.

·         When a character is first introduced, his or her name should be written in all caps within the action.

·         Characters’ names, listed directly above their dialogue, are called “character cues.” They should always be written in all caps. Character cues should be indented an inch more than the dialogue.

There are several special cases where additional dialogue formatting is needed.

Parenthetical Direction

Parenthetical direction explains how a line should be spoken. It should be used infrequently and only when the type of delivery required is not made clear in other parts of the script.

Interruptions

If action interrupts dialogue, the continuing dialogue can be marked next to the character cue with the abbreviation “CONT’D”.

Page Breaks

If dialogue goes over a page break, it is advisable to add the word “MORE” to the end of the first page and “CONT’D” to the beginning of the next one. “MORE” should be centered below the dialogue. “CONT’D” is placed next to the character cue.

Off-Screen Dialogue

Anything said off-screen (called an “extension”) can be indicated next to the character cue by the abbreviation “OS” or “O.S.”

Title Pages and Binding

Every script should have a title page and be bound appropriately. When doing so, the following rules apply.

·         The title page should always be the first page of your script. It should also be written in Courier 12-point font and should not include any pictures or graphics.

·         To correctly format the title page, write the title in all caps about one-third of the way down the page. Double-spaced below this, write the word “By” in mixed case. Double-spaced below that, write your name, also in mixed case.

·         The bottom left or bottom right corner of the page should contain your contact information. If you are registered with the Writers Guild of America (WGA), you can put that here as well, although this is not a requirement.

·         For script covers, use paper with a similar weight as the standard business card.

·         The script should be three-hole punched and bound by the top and bottom holes with round-head brass fasteners. (Note: Do not fasten the middle hole.)

Other Important Notes

General tips to keep in mind:

·         The first line of any screenplay should always be the words “FADE IN”. This should be aligned with the left margin.

·         Scripts are generally 90-120 pages long. Dramas tend to be longer than comedies.

·         Everything in your script should reflect the fact that film is a visual medium.

·         In general, it is best to leave out technical comments such as those about camera angles, music cues and scene transitions.

·         There are many types of software that can help with proper screenplay formatting, including Final Draft and Movie Magic Screenwriter.

·         Note that scripts are formatted differently based on their intended use. The guidelines in this article refer to “spec” script formatting, meaning the script is written for “speculation,” or with the intent to sell to a buyer. “Shooting” scripts include production and technical notes. (Shooting scripts are generally the versions made available to the public after a movie is made. Screenwriters are not normally required to write these.)

Ultimately, it is fundamental for any screenwriter to understand these basic rules of script formatting. Once mastered, they help beginning screenwriters on their way toward professional success.

Screenplay Format – Your 30-step Guide

Before you start writing the next great film, it is essential that you have a comprehensive understanding of screenplay format.

It won’t matter how amazing your story is if the formatting is sloppy.

You’re a professional, so your screenplay must dress to impress and there is a certain screenplay etiquette you should follow.

Setting Up Your Document

1.    Screenwriting software: Although it is possible to patch together true professional screenplay format on your own, it will make it much easier for you if you download a program that will help you format. The software will not do everything for you, but it will give you an excellent place to start. An essential purchase for any screenwriter is Final Draft, which is the world’s leading screenplay formatting software, and used in the offices of all the big executives, agents, producers and studios. Everybody uses Final Draft, and some companies may not even be able to work with you, draft-to-draft, if you don’t own it.

2.    Paper: US screenplays are printed on Letter size paper, 8.5″ by 11″. The international standard for much of the rest of the world is A4, 8.27″ X 11.7″.

3.    Screenplay Font: Courier 12pt.

4.    Spacing: The spacing between lines alternates between single and double according to the type of text.

5.    Margins: The top and bottom margins are usually 1”, but the margins on the left and right vary according to what type of text it is.

6.    Cover page: Use the Final Draft template (or the equivalent in any other screenwriting software worth its salt) when formatting your cover page. Your cover page should include the title of your script, your name, and your contact information.

7.    Page number: Page numbers are located at the top to the far right. You do not need a page number on your first page.

8.    Page length: Screenplays are typically between 90 and 120 pages. One page is the approximate equivalent to one minute of screen time. Comedies tend to be around 90 pages, while dramas tend to be longer, at around 110 pages.

Getting Started with Screenplay Format

1.    Fade in/Fade out: At the  beginning of your screenplay, you need to include  “Fade in:” on the left side. You can also include your title again at the very top of this page before Fade In. At the  end of your script, you end with “Fade out.” on the right hand side, followed by THE END in the center of the next line.

2.    Scene headings: In screenplay format, scene headings are written in all uppercase and have at least three parts. The first is INT. or EXT. to indicate whether the scene is interior (inside a building) or exterior (outside). The second part is the location (for example, GROCERY STORE), followed by a hyphen. The third part is the time of day, usually just DAY or NIGHT.

3.    Description: A description usually follows the scene heading and is used to set the scene by providing visual details. This is written like prose and, like the rest of your screenplay, needs to be in the present tense. Description text is located 1.5” from the left.

4.    Action: When describing the action of a character, you follow the same screenplay format as for scene description.

5.    Introducing characters: When introducing a character, it is helpful to put the character’s name in all caps. It is also necessary to provide a brief description of the character, followed by their age. Here is an example/template:

6.    Character: The character’s name always appears above the dialogue in all caps. This appears near the center of the document (3.5” from the left).

7.    Dialogue: The lines of speech are located 4” from the left and fall below the character’s name. 

8.    Parentheticals: Parentheses can be used in screenplay format between the character line and the dialogue (3.5” from the left) to describe the way the character says a line. For example, if it is unclear, you may have to indicate that a character is saying something sarcastically. Make sure and leave these cues as adverbs instead of adjectives. An example is shown below.

9.    Transitions: Transitions generally only appear in a shooting script, and are a way to describe getting from one scene to the next. Examples include “CUT TO:” and “DISSOLVE TO:”. They are located where “FADE IN:” would be but do not have to be the first thing on a page.

10.                       Subheaders: Subheaders are used when an entirely new scene heading is not necessary, such as when a character moves from one room in a house to another. These should be used sparingly. To format these, write the new location in all caps on its own line.

Special Situations in Screenplay Format

1.    Sounds/props: Mainly reserved for shooting scripts, it is helpful to put props and sounds in all caps so prop masters and sound technicians can find them easily.

2.    Extensions: If a line of dialogue is being narrated or you cannot see the character, you can use (V.O.) for voice over or (O.S.) for off-screen. In screenplay format, these extensions are placed next to the character’s name.

3.    Montages: To format a montage with a single location, type MONTAGE on its own line. Then below it, use hyphen bullet points to briefly describe each moment/image of the montage. Conclude with END OF MONTAGE on its own line. For a montage with multiple locations, use the following example:

4.    Flashbacks: In screenplay format, a flashback is introduced by inserting FLASHBACK TO: at the far right of the screenplay. Then you can insert your scene. When the flashback is over, write BACK TO PRESENT on a new line to the far left. When using flashbacks, it is useful to include the date in a parentheses as part of your scene headings (see example below).

5.    Dreams: There are a couple ways to write a dream sequence in screenplay format. One way is to add (DREAM SEQUENCE) to your heading and END DREAM SEQUENCE to the left on its own line at the end. You can also format it like a montage if there are multiple parts to the dream.

6.    Phone calls: One way to format a phone call is to insert INTERCUT PHONE CONVERSATION before the dialogue begins. This indicates that the scene will go back and forth between showing each character on the phone.

7.    Text being read: When a character is reading something that the audience can see, you can indicate this using quotation marks and all caps: Sally picks up a note. Over her shoulder it reads, “PLEASE PICK UP MILK FROM THE STORE.”

8.    Parallel action: For parallel action, write INTERCUT on a line above the dialogue to indicate that the scene will go back and forth from showing different characters’ situations.

9.    More and Cont’d: If a line of dialogue is cut off and continues on the next page, (MORE) is placed on the bottom center of the first page and (CONT’D) is placed next to the character’s name on the next page. In screenplay format, (CONT’D) is also used next to a character’s name is they have two lines of dialogue that are separated by a line of action or description.

10.                       Shots: Camera directions are only included in shooting scripts, not in spec scripts. They are found in the description. Examples include PAN TO and CLOSE UP ON.

11.                       Superimposed text: To indicate that non-diegetic text will appear on the screen (that only the audience can see), write SUPER: “Text that is superimposed.”

12.                       Underline: You can underline a word or line of text to emphasize it.