[Originally posted: 10/10/2017, Edited: 7/31/2023]

We’re covering the very bare bones basics of formatting a screenplay for film or television. Game and comic writers will also frequently use a script format to write (it should be noted stage plays are written differently however).

A screenplay is built out of scenes. Like novels, the collection of scenes together makes for the entire story. In screenplays, however, there’s a format in which scenes must be written.

All scenes open with a slugline or scene heading. This is written in ALL CAPS. It gives the information: interior vs. exterior, time of day, and location.

This text is then followed by action or the narrative text which is regular text describing action taking place on screen that is not dialogue. A general rule of thumb is describe only what a viewer can see or hear (smells, thoughts, etc., won’t translate over film).

When a character is introduced they’re name is general in all caps, such as BOB. The dialogue tag for the current speaker is also in ALL CAPS, 2.5 inches from the left margin (tab 5 times).

Dialogue is 1.5 inches from the left margin (tab 3 times).

Fortunately all this formatting can be done for you.

Celtx is one great option. You can also use YouMeScript.

Finally, Word has a screenplay template that’s easy to find. You can search for it using the word processor or here’s a link: Screenplay Template.

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