Remake of Script Formats by Russ Basford https://padlet.com/RussBasford/8gyrjw6hmqou Made with the strength to succeed en-us 2019-10-29 05:52:16 UTC 2025-05-02 23:16:36 UTC hello@padlet.com What is a screenplay? RussBasford https://padlet.com/RussBasford/8gyrjw6hmqou/wish/403706894  - In the most basic terms, a screenplay is a 90-120 page document written in Courier 12pt font on 8 1/2" x 11" bright white three-hole punched paper. 

 -  can be an original piece, or based on a true story or previously written piece, like a novel, stage play or newspaper article. 

 - a screenplay is a blueprint for the film it will one day become.

- As a screenwriter, you must show what's happening in a story, rather than tell it.

 - The very nature of screenwriting is based on how to show a story on a screen, and pivotal moments can be conveyed through something as simple as a look on an actor's face.

]]> 2019-10-29 05:52:16 UTC https://padlet.com/RussBasford/8gyrjw6hmqou/wish/403706894 Why use Courier 12pt ? RussBasford https://padlet.com/RussBasford/8gyrjw6hmqou/wish/403706895 . One formatted script page in Courier font equals roughly one minute of screen time. That's why the average page count of a screenplay should come in between 90 and 120 pages. Comedies tend to be on the shorter side (90 pages, or 1 ½ hours) while Dramas run longer (120 pages, or 2 hours).]]> 2019-10-29 05:52:16 UTC https://padlet.com/RussBasford/8gyrjw6hmqou/wish/403706895 What should it look like? RussBasford https://padlet.com/RussBasford/8gyrjw6hmqou/wish/403706896  While screenplay formatting software such as Final Draft, Movie Magic Screenwriter, Movie Outline and Montage frees you from having to learn the nitty-gritty of margins and indents, it's good to have a grasp of the general spacing standards.

- The top, bottom and right margins of a screenplay are 1".     
- The left margin is 1.5".

- The extra half-inch of white space to the left of a script page allows for binding with brads, yet still imparts a feeling of vertical balance of the text on the page.

- The entire document should be single-spaced.

- The very first item on the first page should be the words FADE IN:

Note: the first page is never numbered. Subsequent page numbers appear in the upper right hand corner, 0.5" from the top of the page, flush right to the margin.

]]> 2019-10-29 05:52:16 UTC https://padlet.com/RussBasford/8gyrjw6hmqou/wish/403706896 Scene Heading RussBasford https://padlet.com/RussBasford/8gyrjw6hmqou/wish/403706897  - Indent: Left: 0.0" Right: 0.0" Width: 6.0"

 - A scene heading is a one-line description of the location and time of day of a scene, also known as a "slugline." It should always be in CAPS.

Example: EXT. WRITERS STORE - DAY reveals that the action takes place outside The Writers Store during the daytime.

Subheader
Indent: Left: 0.0" Right: 0.0" Width: 6.0"

- When a new scene heading is not necessary, but some distinction needs to be made in the action, you can use a subheader. 
- But be sure to use these sparingly, as a script full of subheaders is generally frowned upon. A good example is when there are a series of quick cuts between two locations, you would use the term INTERCUT and the scene locations.


]]> 2019-10-29 05:52:16 UTC https://padlet.com/RussBasford/8gyrjw6hmqou/wish/403706897 Action RussBasford https://padlet.com/RussBasford/8gyrjw6hmqou/wish/403706898 - Indent: Left: 0.0" Right: 0.0" Width: 6.0"

 - The narrative description of the events of a scene, written in the present tense. Also less commonly known as direction, visual exposition, blackstuff, description or scene direction.

Remember - only things that can be seen and heard should be included in the action.
]]> 2019-10-29 05:52:16 UTC https://padlet.com/RussBasford/8gyrjw6hmqou/wish/403706898 Character RussBasford https://padlet.com/RussBasford/8gyrjw6hmqou/wish/403706899 - Indent: Left: 2.0" Right: 0.0" Width: 4.0"

- When a character is introduced, his name should be capitalized within the action. For example: The door opens and in walks LIAM, a thirty-something hipster with attitude to spare.

 - A character's name is CAPPED and always listed above his lines of dialogue. Minor characters may be listed without names, for example "TAXI DRIVER" or "CUSTOMER."]]> 2019-10-29 05:52:16 UTC https://padlet.com/RussBasford/8gyrjw6hmqou/wish/403706899 Dialog RussBasford https://padlet.com/RussBasford/8gyrjw6hmqou/wish/403706900  - Indent: Left: 1.0" Right: 1.5" Width: 3.5"

- Lines of speech for each character. Dialogue format is used anytime a character is heard speaking, even for off-screen and voice-overs.]]> 2019-10-29 05:52:16 UTC https://padlet.com/RussBasford/8gyrjw6hmqou/wish/403706900 Parenthetical RussBasford https://padlet.com/RussBasford/8gyrjw6hmqou/wish/403706901  - Indent: Left: 1.5" Right: 2.0" Width: 2.5"

 - A parenthetical is direction for the character, that is either attitude or action-oriented.

- With roots in the playwriting genre, today, parentheticals are used very rarely, and only if absolutely necessary.

- Why? Two reasons. First, if you need to use a parenthetical to convey what's going on with your dialogue, then it probably just needs a good re-write. Second, it's the director's job to instruct an actor on how to deliver a line, and everyone knows not to encroach on the director's turf!]]> 2019-10-29 05:52:16 UTC https://padlet.com/RussBasford/8gyrjw6hmqou/wish/403706901 Extension RussBasford https://padlet.com/RussBasford/8gyrjw6hmqou/wish/403706902 - Placed after the character's name, in parentheses

- An abbreviated technical note placed after the character's name to indicate how the voice will be heard onscreen, for example, if the character is speaking as a voice-over, it would appear as LIAM (V.O.).]]> 2019-10-29 05:52:16 UTC https://padlet.com/RussBasford/8gyrjw6hmqou/wish/403706902 Transition RussBasford https://padlet.com/RussBasford/8gyrjw6hmqou/wish/403706903 - Indent: Left: 4.0" Right: 0.0" Width: 2.0"

- Transitions are film editing instructions, and generally only appear in a shooting script. Transition verbiage includes:

  • CUT TO:
  • DISSOLVE TO:
  • SMASH CUT:
  • QUICK CUT:
  • FADE TO:

- As a spec script writer, you should avoid using a transition unless there is no other way to indicate a story element. For example, you might need to use DISSOLVE TO: to indicate that a large amount of time has passed.
]]> 2019-10-29 05:52:16 UTC https://padlet.com/RussBasford/8gyrjw6hmqou/wish/403706903 Shot RussBasford https://padlet.com/RussBasford/8gyrjw6hmqou/wish/403706904  -Indent: Left: 0.0" Right: 0.0" Width: 6.0"

 - A shot tells the reader the focal point within a scene has changed.
- Like a transition, there's rarely a time when a spec screenwriter should insert shot directions. Once again, that's the director's job. 

Examples of Shots:

  • ANGLE ON --
  • EXTREME CLOSE UP --
  • PAN TO --
  • LIAM'S POV --
]]> 2019-10-29 05:52:16 UTC https://padlet.com/RussBasford/8gyrjw6hmqou/wish/403706904 EXAMPLE & INSTRUCTIONS RussBasford https://padlet.com/RussBasford/8gyrjw6hmqou/wish/403706905 http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/scripts/screenplay.pdf

]]> 2019-10-29 05:52:16 UTC https://padlet.com/RussBasford/8gyrjw6hmqou/wish/403706905 RussBasford https://padlet.com/RussBasford/8gyrjw6hmqou/wish/403706906 2019-10-29 05:52:16 UTC https://padlet.com/RussBasford/8gyrjw6hmqou/wish/403706906 RussBasford https://padlet.com/RussBasford/8gyrjw6hmqou/wish/403706907 2019-10-29 05:52:16 UTC https://padlet.com/RussBasford/8gyrjw6hmqou/wish/403706907 RussBasford https://padlet.com/RussBasford/8gyrjw6hmqou/wish/403706908 2019-10-29 05:52:16 UTC https://padlet.com/RussBasford/8gyrjw6hmqou/wish/403706908 RussBasford https://padlet.com/RussBasford/8gyrjw6hmqou/wish/403706911 2019-10-29 05:52:16 UTC https://padlet.com/RussBasford/8gyrjw6hmqou/wish/403706911 Examples RussBasford https://padlet.com/RussBasford/8gyrjw6hmqou/wish/403706912 2019-10-29 05:52:16 UTC https://padlet.com/RussBasford/8gyrjw6hmqou/wish/403706912