Screenplay conventions

1. Conventions of screenplays

2. Title Page
Every screenplay features a title page. The title
page is vital as it has the key information about
the script such as, obviously, the title, and the
name of the screenwriter and/or co-writers. This
title page tells us the script was jointly written
by Joel & Ethan Coen, who always co-write and
co-direct. In some cases, such as a adaptation
to a screenplay, the title page will say
something like “based on the book by...”, as
shown below.

3. Sluglines
Screenplays notify the reader of a new scene by
having what is called a 'slugline'. A slugline tells
us whether the scene is an exterior or interior
scene, where the scene takes place (location),
and what point in time/time of day it takes
place.

4. Action/Text
Conventionally, the action is described by text
directly underneath the slugline, and between
dialog. Action generally is self explanatory as it
describes the actions of characters, but it also
covers things in the mise en scene, such as
what the characters are wearing, vehicles,
weapons, other props, etc. Furthermore, if it is
a shooting script, the text can include info for
the editing process, sound, etc.

5. Characters
Before dialog, the character speaking has to be
identified, and this is done by a character line.
A character line simply has the character's
name in block capitals. This line can also
provide information about whether the
character speaks off screen (O.S.) or not, or via
a voice-over (V.O.).

6. Dialogue
Dialogue is a key part of a screenplay. Dialogue
can be shown as either single dialogue, spoken
by one person at a time, or dual dialogue when
two people speak at the same time.
Dialogue is placed directly underneath the
character's name, in the centre of the page.

7. Parentheticals
Parentheticals are used to give extra information
to the reader about the dialogue. The type of
information given in these are things such as
whether a character begins talking to another
character.