script format
TRANSCRIPT
Script Format
l Correct formatting of a script is essential. Production company’s studios, directors or producers will not read a script that is incorrectly formatted.
l 12 Point, Courier font.l Use a formatting program to help you.l www.celtx.com
Title Page‘Title of your Script’
An Original Screenplay
By
Your name
l Do not include artwork or “First Draft” or “Second Draft” on the front cover.
l Professional film scripts should have one contact address in the bottom left-hand corner, with a phone number and email address where applicable.
l The agent’s contact details (where applicable) belong in the bottom right-hand corner.
l The scene heading (slugline)Interior or Exterior, Location and Time.
l The action area (description) Only what you see if you were watching the screen
l The character name
l The dialogue
FADE IN:
INT. LABORATORY – MID-DAY
l To establish a more definite context, you would write:
l INT. LABORATORY – WORKBENCH – MID-DAY.
SCENE DESCRIPTIONS
l Description will make up the bulk of what is written in a script.
l Define the world of the story.
l Introduce the principal characters.
l Character introduction needs no more than a single descriptive sentence.
l In all your descriptions cut out everything that does not further the story line.
l Simplicity/Clarity/Visually captivating description.
l The description tells the story.
l Good descriptive writing provides the basic elements of visualisation.
l It provides the opportunity to captivate your reader.
Correct Formatl Only a production script contains editing and camera
directions (and scene numbers).
l These should not be included in a submission script, only present the basic story.
l How the story is interpreted on the screen is up to the director.
l A script contains no internal thought.
l John walks slowly down the street, wondering why Carol did not return any of his calls.
l How are John’s thoughts going to be shown to the audience.
l Motivation and reasons for characters' behaviour will be revealed through their actions, reactions and dialogue.
l Visual description should contain only what you would SEE if you were watching the screen.
DIALOGUE
l The final essential element of any screenplay is the dialogue.
l Decide if each speech contributes to the story or is it merely ‘fill’.
l Try not to use more than 5-6 lines of dialogue at a time.
l If a character has to give a long speech, break it up by inserting a suitable line of visual exposition.
l He turns and walks to the window.or
l He takes a sip of his drink.
l This may be inconsequential, but assists readability and prevents the script appearing "top-heavy" with dialogue.
l Remember, film is a visual medium. Only write the dialogue that is essential to the story or your characters’ nature.
If a pause is desired between two lines in dialogue, this is indicated by the words ‘beat’ or ‘pause’ in parenthesis, lined up with the left margin of the dialogue, as follows:
SallySure I'm mad at you.
(BEAT)When will you learn tothink of someone besides yourself?
(PAUSE)
l (BEAT) and (PAUSE) are artistic directions: they appear within the dialogue.
l If Joe in the dining room is on camera, talking to Mary in the kitchen, whom we don’t see, the format is as follows: (O.S.), "Off Screen", as follows:
JOESally, can you bring
the wine in?
SALLY (O.C.)Red or White?
Flashbacksl INT. JOE’S HOUSE – CELLAR – NIGHT (FLASHBACK)
l Remember, each flashback is a new scene, even if it takes place in the same location as the current action.
Insertsl This is a cutaway shot to get close on something
small. Use this only when necessary.INT. OFFICE – DAY
Joe opens his mail.
Insert – A LETTER
SOUNDSl Important sounds can be capitalised.
They hear a CRASH of glass in the other room.
l Or, The SOUND OF BREAKING GLASS is heard.“
l Use this sparingly, however, as it can get tiresome if repeated for every sound effect throughout a long script.
l At the end of the script,
l FADE OUT
l is placed at the right hand margin, two spaces below the last line of visual exposition.
Finally…l Check your spelling and your grammar
l Do not break sentences between pages.
l Do not hyphenate words from one line to the next or number individual scenes.
l Do not use semicolons anywhere.
l Only commas or full stops between sentences.
l Do not capitalise any lines of dialogue.
Production Scriptl The production script will be the dialogue script with
the inclusion of camera, lighting and sound information.
FADE IN:EXT. FRONT OF HOUSE. DAY.1. Opening shot – CU – finger in door bell
Foley of door bell ringingLit with early morning natural light
RICHARD JONES, 20 year old male stands in front of a shabby looking front door. His is of slight build, wearing glasses
2. LS from across the street behind Richard Large depth of fieldRoar of traffic noise
Camera Directionl Shot type – LS, MS, CUl Camera Movementl Focus techniques – DOF, Pull Focus etc
Lightingl Natural or artificiall Soft or Hardl Direction and anglel Shadows
Sound Designl Use of sound effectsl Any particular music
l The production script is not page limited.l For a 5 minute film it will usually be around 10 to 15
pages
l Think about how your shots go together.l How can you help tell the story through your camera
and lighting set-ups.l How can you use sound to enhance the mood of a
scene.
Next Week
l TV
l Please sign up tutorials or e-mail scripts.