| by John Finnegan
Writing a screenplay can be as daunting as it is exciting. While having a great story is the most critical element, knowing how to format a screenplay properly is essential to make sure your script looks professional. Proper formatting helps industry professionals focus on the story without getting distracted by errors. Here’s a step-by-step guide to formatting a screenplay that’s clean, clear, and industry-ready!
Step 1: Understand Screenplay Basics
A screenplay typically includes Scene Headings, Action Descriptions, Character Names, Dialogue, and Transitions. Each element has specific formatting rules to keep the script consistent, readable, and film-friendly. Industry standard formatting typically uses Courier 12-point font and follows precise margins, making it easy to estimate the length of the film: one page roughly equals one minute of screen time.
Step 2: How to Format a Script? Let Screenwriting Software do the Work
Learning how to format a script is much easier with specialized software like Final Draft, Celtx, or WriterDuet. While it’s possible to format a screenplay in a standard word processor, these tools automatically apply correct formatting to ensure your script adheres to industry standards, saving you time and allowing you to focus on the creative side of writing.
Step 3: Formatting Scene Headings
To understand how to format a script, remember that each new scene in a screenplay begins with a Scene Heading (or slugline), indicating where and when the scene takes place. The standard format includes:
INT. or EXT. (indicating whether the scene is indoors or outdoors)
The location (e.g., OFFICE, FOREST, HOUSE)
The time of day (e.g., DAY, NIGHT, DUSK)
Use uppercase letters, and keep scene headings short and direct. You can also use scene headers as a space to indicate the present or a flashback, as is the case in the above excerpt from Thelma and Louise.
Step 4: Write Clear and Concise Action Descriptions
After the scene heading, you’ll add Action Descriptions that set the scene and describe what the characters are doing. Action descriptions should:
Be written in present tense
Avoid unnecessary details
Use concise language
For example: JOHN enters the room, slamming the door behind him.
Focus on essential actions and keep descriptions brief. Instead of detailing everything, try to capture the mood, pace, and important actions.
Step 5: Introduce Characters Correctly
The first time you introduce a character, capitalize their name and add a brief description if relevant.
In this excerpt from Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, we can see the character of Jim Prideaux being introduced in upper case.
On subsequent appearances, you can use regular case text for the character’s name, as we can see elsewhere in the above excerpt. This helps readers quickly understand who is new and who has already been introduced.
Step 6: Format Dialogue and Character Names
Character Names appear centered in uppercase, above their dialogue. Directly below, write the Dialogue itself. Dialogue should be centered on the page and avoid overly long paragraphs, as seen in this excerpt from Sideways:
For added directions in dialogue, such as whispering or yelling, use parentheticals sparingly between the character name and dialogue.
Step 7: Use Transitions Sparingly
Transitions (e.g., CUT TO:, FADE IN:) indicate scene changes and other shifts, but in modern scripts, they’re often implied rather than specified. Reserve transitions for significant shifts in the story or scene changes, and always right-align transitions.
NOTE: It's highly discouraged for speculative screenplays to include transitions nowadays. They are included in this article as we want this to be as exhaustive as possible but the truth is, transitions can rub readers the wrong way depending on where you're sending it. Food for thought...
Step 8: Review and Proofread
Once you’ve finished drafting, it’s crucial to go back through your screenplay and check the formatting. Minor errors or inconsistencies in formatting can be distracting and signal that you’re new to screenwriting, so make sure every element follows standard conventions.
Quick Formatting Checklist
Here’s a quick checklist to ensure your screenplay follows industry standards:
Font: Courier, 12-point
Scene Headings: INT./EXT., location, time of day
Action Descriptions: Present tense, concise language
Character Names: Capitalized on first introduction
Dialogue: Centered, with clear parentheticals if needed
Transitions: Right-aligned, used sparingly
Margins: Proper alignment for scenes, dialogue, and page numbers
Conclusion
Formatting a screenplay is as much a technical skill as it is an artistic one. By following these steps, you’ll ensure your screenplay is clear, readable, and up to industry standards. As you become more comfortable with formatting, it will become second nature, allowing you to focus on bringing your story to life!
OutWrd is a powerful tool for aspiring screenwriters and fans of good stories, bringing cinematic storytelling to life through sound, dialogue, and pacing. With an ever growing catalogue of stories ready to click and play for free, and no signup required, OutWrd’s blend of screenwriting techniques and rich audio design is a unique way to elevate your craft, mastering tension, character arcs, and scene dynamics.
Comments