The document provides a comprehensive guide on screen writing, detailing the essential elements and formatting standards for writing scripts. It explains key components such as scene headings, action descriptions, character names, dialogue, and transitions, along with the proper formatting techniques for each. The document serves as a practical reference for aspiring screenwriters to structure their scripts effectively.

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