Scribd
Upload
48 views

How To Format A Screenplay

All screenplays follow standardized formatting guidelines to clearly convey location, time of day, character actions, dialogue, and more. Slug lines at the start of each scene signify the setting and time using INT, EXT, and DAY or NIGHT. Action lines describe all non-dialogue actions and introduce major characters. Dialogue is centered and in all caps with the character's name. Parentheticals can provide emotion or physical actions for dialogue. New writers should use parentheticals sparingly and let the subtext of dialogue be clear on its own.

Uploaded by

mjalynbucud
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
48 views

How To Format A Screenplay

All screenplays follow standardized formatting guidelines to clearly convey location, time of day, character actions, dialogue, and more. Slug lines at the start of each scene signify the setting and time using INT, EXT, and DAY or NIGHT. Action lines describe all non-dialogue actions and introduce major characters. Dialogue is centered and in all caps with the character's name. Parentheticals can provide emotion or physical actions for dialogue. New writers should use parentheticals sparingly and let the subtext of dialogue be clear on its own.

Uploaded by

mjalynbucud
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 3

How to format a screenplay

All screenplays are formatted in a similar, standardized way. Whether you


use specific software like Final Draft or just good old-fashioned Microsoft
Word, make sure to include the basics:

Slug lines
Also known as scene headings, slug lines inform the reader where and when
the action of a specific scene takes place. This allows the reader to fully
picture your story and—when your script goes into production—the
creative team to plan elements such as location, budget, and scheduling.
Slug lines should be capitalized and aligned left. The three key things to
signify in your slug line are:

 Whether the scene is an interior/indoor shot or an exterior/outdoor


shot (INT. or EXT.)
 The location
 The time of day (usually DAY or NIGHT)

Action lines
This is where you explain all of the action, subjects, and movements in the
scene other than dialogue. When you introduce a major character for the
first time, capitalize their name and add any descriptions that are
absolutely necessary for the reader to understand who they are (age,
demeanor, overall attitude, etc.). Note that you write action lines in the
present tense.
Sometimes, your action will transition through sub-locations within the
larger, overall location established in your slug line. Here, you’ll use a
subhead, like so:

Dialogue
Whenever your character speaks, center and capitalize their name and
write the dialogue beneath it.

Parentheticals
Sparingly, you’ll use parentheticals to offer more specifics on your
dialogue. Parentheticals can either indicate the emotion of a line or a small
physical movement that happens in tandem with a line.

As you start out, be aware that you should only use parentheticals when
they are absolutely necessary. Over-directing on the page can be the mark
of an inexperienced writer. Be confident that the subtext of your dialogue is
clear on its own and let your actors discover their own delivery.

You might also like