This presentation includes the elements of scriptwriting for short films or even for movies (possibly), and the technicalities used.

1. Screen Writing

2. Screen Writing
 The art of writing scripts for a visual
medium

3. What is a script?
 A document that outlines every aural,
visual, behavioral, lingual element required
to tell a story.
 Must conform to standards that all involved
parties understand
 Intended to overview the typical elements

4. Screen Writing Rules
 Written on 8.5” x 11” white 3-hole punched paper
 A page number in the upper right corner
 No page number on the first page
 Font style: Courier
 Font size: 12
 Margins: between 0.5” – 1” (right, top & bottom)
between 1.2” – 1.6” (left)

5. Script Elements
 Scene Heading
 A short description of the location and time of
day of a scene, also known as a "slugline”
e.g.
EXT. MOUNTAIN CABIN - DAY

6. Script Elements
 Scene Heading
 Are we indoors or outdoors?
 Name of the location
 Time of the day
 Continuous action
 Stock shot

7. Script Elements
 Scene Heading
 Aligned flush left
 Written in ALL CAPS
 Used a period after the INT. or EXT.
 Used a hyphen between the other elements

8. Script Elements
 Action
 The moving pictures we see on screen
 The direction given by a director indicating that
filming
e.g.
FADE IN:
EXT. KEY WEST MARINA - DAWN -
ESTABLISHING Sailboats, yachts,
and cabin cruisers all bob up
and down in the warm blue water.

9. Script Elements
 Action
 Sets the scene
 Describes the setting
 Allows to introduce the characters

10. Script Elements
 Action
 Written in REAL TIME
 Use active voice
 Always write in PRESENT TENSE
 From left to right margin
 4-5 lines

11. Script Elements
 Character Name
 Can be an actual name or description or an
occupation
e.g.
INT. MASTER SUITE – MORNING
Sunlight filters through
portholes over the figure of
FRANKIE CAMPISI, 38.
FRANKIE

12. Script Elements
 Character Name
 When introduced for the first time, write it in
all caps.
 Before a character can speak, the writer inserts
a CHARACTER NAME to let the reader know
this character's dialogue follows.
 Formatted in ALL CAPS
 Indented 3.5” from the left margin

13. Script Elements
 Dialogue
 The speeches between characters in a film or a
play
 A window into the soul of the character
e.g.
FRANKIE
Rise and shine, Bluebird.
Time to spread your wings and
fly.

14. Script Elements
 Dialogue
 Indented 2.5” from the left margin
 Indented 2.0” – 2.5” from the right margin
 Can be 30 – 35 spaces long

15. Script Elements
 Parenthetical
 Also known as a “wryly” because of the
inclination of amateur screenwriters to try to
accent a character’s speech
e.g.
JULIE
(sleepily)
What? What time is it?

16. Script Elements
 Parenthetical
 Can be an attitude, verbal or action direction for
the actor
 Used as the continuing notation
 Generally disfavored nowadays

17. Script Elements
 Parenthetical
 Left indented at 3.0”
 Right indented at 3.5”
 Not centered under the character name
 Should be short, to the point, descriptive and
used when necessary

18. Script Elements
 Extension
 A technical note placed directly to the right of
the character name that denotes how the
character’s voice will be heard by the audience
 O.S. – Off-Screen
 V.O. – Voice Over
e.g.
JULIE (O.S.)
Twenty minutes.

19. Script Elements
 Transition
 Denotes an editing transition within the telling of
a story
 Use when necessary
e.g.
DISSOLVE TO: indicates that time has passed
TIME CUT: indicates passage of time

20. Script Elements
 Transition
 Indented left at 6.5”
 Right margin of 1.0”
 ALL CAPS
 Follows an ACTION and precedes SCENE
HEADINGS

21. Script Elements
 Shot
 What the camera sees
 Allows the reader to see something not obvious
in the scene
 Allows the writer to achieve a particular emotion
or build to a climax
e.g.
ANGLE ON --
EXTREME CLOSE UP --
PAN TO –

22. Script Elements
 Shot
PRISONER
(trembling)
I'll kill him! I mean it.
PRISON GUARD
Take him out! Now! Do it!
ANGLE ON - A PRISON GUARD SHARP SHOOTER
as he lines up the shot, finger poised on
the trigger.

23. Script Elements
 Shot
 Flush left margin
 ALL CAPS