Lights, camera, action! If you’re a budding screenwriter, you know that formatting is a crucial element in creating a screenplay that is not only visually appealing but also easy to read for producers, directors, and actors. Proper formatting can make the difference between your script getting noticed or ending up in the slush pile. In this blog, we’ll explore the dos and don’ts of formatting your screenplay, so you can make your story shine on the big screen.
DO: Use Industry-Standard Formatting
When it comes to screenplay formatting, stick to industry standards. Use professional screenwriting software like Final Draft or Celtx, which automatically formats your script according to industry standards. This includes using Courier or Courier New font size 12, with one-inch margins on all sides. Dialogue should be centered, and character names should be in uppercase letters when introduced, followed by the character’s dialogue in uppercase and lowercase letters. Action descriptions should be in sentence case, and scene headings should be in uppercase letters.
DON’T: Use Fancy Fonts or Colors
While it may be tempting to get creative with your font choices or use colorful text, it’s a big no-no in screenplay formatting. Stick to the industry-standard Courier or Courier New font in size 12, and avoid using any fancy fonts, colours, or effects. Remember, a screenplay is a professional document, and using non-standard formatting can be distracting and unappealing to industry professionals who are used to seeing scripts in a specific format. Keep it clean, simple, and easy to read.
DO: Keep Your Dialogue Tight
Screenplays are all about dialogue, and it’s important to keep your dialogue tight and concise. Avoid long speeches or monologues that can slow down the pace of your screenplay. Keep your dialogue focused, engaging, and true to your characters. Use action descriptions and visual cues to convey emotions or reactions, rather than relying solely on dialogue.
Example:
INT. COFFEE SHOP – DAY
JANE sits at a table, sipping her coffee. MARK enters, looking agitated.
MARK
(exasperated)
I can’t believe you did that! How could you?
JANE
(sighs)
I had to. It was the only option.
MARK
(shaking his head)
No, it wasn’t. You always think you know best.
JANE
(frustrated)
Well, what would you have done then?
MARK
(pauses)
I would have found another way. You didn’t have to do it.
JANE
(defensive)
You weren’t there. You didn’t see what I saw.
MARK
(frustrated)
You never listen to anyone but yourself.
JANE
(stands up)
I’m done with this conversation.
JANE storms out of the coffee shop, leaving MARK standing there, conflicted.
In this example, the dialogue between JANE and MARK is kept tight and concise, conveying their conflicting emotions and motivations effectively. The use of action descriptions, such as JANE sighing, MARK shaking his head, and JANE storming out, adds visual cues that enhance the scene without relying solely on dialogue. This keeps the pace of the screenplay moving and makes the scene engaging for the reader. Remember, in screenwriting, less is often more when it comes to dialogue.
DON’T: Overuse Parentheticals
Parentheticals are used to provide additional information about how a line of dialogue should be delivered, such as indicating a character’s tone or mood. While they can be useful in certain situations, it’s important not to overuse them. Too many parentheticals can clutter your screenplay and make it difficult to read. Instead, use strong action descriptions and visual cues to convey the tone or mood you want to convey. Trust your actors and directors to interpret your dialogue, and avoid unnecessary parentheticals that can bog down your script.
DO: Use Sluglines Effectively
Sluglines, also known as scene headings, are used to indicate the location, time of day, and any other relevant information about a particular scene. Use sluglines effectively to help your readers visualize the setting of your screenplay. Keep them concise and descriptive, and use them to set the tone or mood of a scene.
For example:
INT. COFFEE SHOP – DAY
or
EXT. BEACH – SUNSET
Using sluglines effectively can help create a vivid visual experience for your readers and enhance the overall flow of your screenplay.
DON’T: Overcomplicate Sluglines
While it’s important to use sluglines effectively, it’s also essential to keep them simple. Keep your sluglines simple and straightforward. Avoid including unnecessary details or excessive descriptions. Stick to the basic elements, such as the location and time of day, and let your action descriptions and dialogue do the heavy lifting in terms of visualising the scene. Overcomplicated sluglines can be distracting and disrupt the flow of your screenplay.
For Example:
INT. DILAPIDATED MANSION – TWILIGHT
The once grandiose mansion, now in a state of disrepair, stands imposingly against the fading light of day, its dilapidated facade weathered by the passage of time and neglect, a solemn testament to the fleeting nature of wealth and power.
Muffled footsteps echo through the cavernous halls, the sound reverberating with a haunting emptiness that seems to whisper of forgotten secrets and lost memories.
MARIA (late 20s, fragile yet determined) navigates the dark and decaying interior with trepidation, her footsteps faltering with each creak of the floorboards, her wide eyes scanning the shadows for any sign of danger.
MARIA
(whispering)
I must tread with caution in this foreboding edifice, where the echoes of the past still linger, whispering tales of tragedy and betrayal, a labyrinth of forgotten corridors and hidden chambers, shrouded in mystery and darkness.
Maria’s hand brushes against the moth-eaten wallpaper, a faint sense of foreboding creeping up her spine like icy tendrils, her breath coming in shallow gasps.
MARIA
(resolutely)
I must press on, braving the treacherous path ahead, my resolve unwavering in the face of this decaying fortress of mystery and intrigue, determined to uncover the truth that has remained hidden for so long, no matter the peril that may await me.
Maria disappears into the shadows, her figure swallowed by the darkness of the mansion, leaving only the faint sound of her echoing footsteps and the eerie silence of the abandoned abode.
In this example, the slugline for the mansion scene is overly elaborate and embellished with poetic descriptions of the setting and Maria’s emotions, creating a sense of foreboding and mystery. The language used is overly flowery and verbose, making the slugline unnecessarily complex and dramatic, potentially detracting from the overall story.
DO: Proofread and Edit Your Script
Formatting is not just about how your script looks, but also about how it reads. Make sure to proofread and edit your screenplay thoroughly for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. A poorly edited script can be a turn-off for industry professionals and can hinder the readability of your screenplay. Take the time to review your work with a keen eye for detail and make necessary corrections to ensure that your script is error-free and polished.
DON’T: Neglect Proofreading and Editing
Proofreading and editing are crucial steps in the screenplay writing process that should not be overlooked. Neglecting to proofread and edit your script can result in mistakes, inconsistencies, and errors that can negatively impact the quality of your screenplay. It’s important to invest time and effort in thoroughly reviewing your screenplay to ensure that it is error-free and presents your story in the best possible light.
DO: Follow the Three-Act Structure
The three-act structure is a fundamental principle in screenwriting that helps create a well-structured and engaging story. Make sure to follow the three-act structure, which consists of Act 1 (the setup), Act 2 (the confrontation), and Act 3 (the resolution), to ensure that your screenplay flows smoothly and keeps the audience engaged. Use proper formatting to clearly indicate the beginning, middle, and end of each act, and make sure that your story progresses logically and with a clear narrative arc.
DON’T: Overload Your Script with Unnecessary Details
While it’s important to provide sufficient details to create a vivid visual experience for your readers, it’s also crucial not to overload your screenplay with unnecessary details. Avoid including lengthy descriptions, excessive stage directions, or irrelevant information that can bog down your script and make it tedious to read. Stick to essential details that are relevant to the story and the characters, and use concise and effective language to convey your ideas.
Example:
INT. COFFEE SHOP – DAY
The camera zooms in on a quaint coffee shop nestled in a bustling city. The walls are adorned with eclectic art, ranging from abstract paintings to vintage movie posters. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee permeates the air, mingling with the faint scent of pastries and cinnamon.
The barista, JAMES (20s, hipster chic with a man bun and a plaid shirt), with a meticulously groomed beard and an array of tattoos peeking out from under his rolled-up sleeves, expertly operates the state-of-the-art espresso machine, frothing milk to perfection and carefully measuring each shot with artisanal precision.
JAMES
(to a regular customer)
Good morning, Susan! Your usual, the classic vanilla latte with an extra shot of espresso and a drizzle of caramel, right?
SUSAN (40s, businesswoman in a tailored suit) smiles, her designer sunglasses perched on top of her head, and nods enthusiastically.
SUSAN
You know me too well, James! You’re a coffee wizard!
James grins, revealing a gleaming silver tooth that catches the light just so. He grabs a mason jar with a handle and starts pouring the steaming milk into it, creating a mesmerizing pattern of swirls and rosettas.
JAMES
There you go, a work of art in a cup, just for you, Susan!
Susan takes a sip, her eyes widening with delight.
SUSAN
Mmm, perfection as always, James! You truly are a master of your craft.
James blushes modestly, his hand reaching up to adjust his beanie just so.
JAMES
It’s all in the details, Susan. I put my heart and soul into every cup I make.
As Susan walks away, savouring her latte, the camera lingers on James, who wipes the steam off his glasses with a handkerchief embroidered with a vintage coffee bean motif, then carefully adjusts the settings on the espresso machine, his eyes shining with passion and dedication.
The scene ends with a close-up of James’s hands as he grinds freshly roasted coffee beans with an antique hand-cranked grinder, the sound of the beans being crushed filling the air with a symphony of fragrant notes.
In this example, the screenplay is overloaded with unnecessary details, from the elaborate descriptions of the coffee shop’s decor and ambience to the meticulous actions and appearance of the barista, James. The character’s dialogue is overly focused on coffee-related jargon and compliments, adding excessive detail to every element of the scene, which may distract from the overall story and slow down the pacing.
DO: Use Action Descriptions to Enhance Visuals
Action descriptions are an essential element of screenplays that help create a visual experience for the readers and convey the tone, mood, and atmosphere of a scene. Use action descriptions effectively to enhance the visuals of your screenplay and make your story come alive on the page. Use strong verbs, vivid language, and concise sentences to create a clear and engaging visual picture for the reader.
Example:
EXT. ABANDONED FACTORY – NIGHT
The moonlight casts eerie shadows on broken windows and crumbling walls. Rats scurry, and wind howls through the roof. JOHN, a detective, cautiously navigates the corridors with his flickering flashlight.
JOHN
(whispering)
Hello? Anyone here?
He encounters a GRAFFITI-SCRAWLED WALL with a menacing figure. John’s eyes narrow at a BLOODY HANDPRINT on the wall.
JOHN
(gritting his teeth)
I’m getting closer.
In this example, action descriptions are used to create a visual experience for the reader in a concise and engaging manner. The use of strong verbs, vivid language, and descriptive details paints a clear picture of the abandoned factory setting and John’s actions, enhancing the visuals of the screenplay without unnecessary wordiness.
DON’T: Overuse Passive Voice or Excessive Adverbs
When writing action descriptions, it’s important to avoid overusing passive voice or excessive adverbs. Passive voice can make your writing feel weak and distant, while excessive adverbs can come across as lazy writing. Instead, use active voice and strong verbs to create dynamic and engaging action descriptions that propel the story forward.
For example, instead of writing “The door was slowly opened by John,” write “John slowly opens the door.” This creates a more vivid and active description that draws the reader into the scene.
Conclusion
In conclusion, formatting is a crucial aspect of screenplay writing that should not be overlooked. By following industry-standard formatting, keeping your dialogue tight, using sluglines effectively, proofreading and editing your script, following the three-act structure, using action descriptions to enhance visuals, and avoiding unnecessary details, passive voice, and excessive adverbs, you can create a screenplay that is visually appealing, easy to read, and engaging for industry professionals and audiences alike. Lights, camera, format! Get your screenplay ready for the big screen by mastering the dos and don’ts of screenplay formatting. Happy writing!
