Crafting a film script isn't just about storytelling, it's also about adhering to a specific format that allows the material to be easily read, interpreted, and ultimately, produced. This is where understanding the film script format words becomes paramount.
Film scripts have a unique layout, distinguished by its use of white space and standard character names to indicate dialogue. However, the terminology often trips up screenwriters, so let's dive into key film script format words to ensure your next screenplay is as polished as possible.
The Basic Format
Screenplays follow a standard margin format with 1.5-inch left, 1-inch right, 1-inch top, and 1.5-inch bottom margins. The text is always indented 1.5 inches for action and 3 inches for dialogue.
The standard American screenplay font is Courier 12, popular due to its very even line length and the fact that approximately 55 characters fit on a single line.
Action
Action in a screenplay doesn't refer to what happens on screen, but rather, the stage directions - often describe the setting, camera angles, etc. Start with an uppercase letter and end with a lowercase letter.
Example: INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY. JIM sits at the counter, hands wrapped around a mug of coffee.
Scene Headings
Also known as sluglines, these identify the location of each scene. They have three components - term (INT., EXT.), location (HOUSE, PARK), and time (DAY, NIGHT).
Example: INT. JIM'S APARTMENT - NIGHT.
Characters and Dialogue
Character names are always uppercase and center-aligned. Dialogue follows below the character name, 3 inches from the left margin. Every character should have a unique, recognizable name.
Example: JIM (Looking out the window) You know, I've lived here for ten years and I've never seen such a red sunset.
Parentsheses
Occasionally, parentheses ( ) are used to denote sounds or characterize a line.
Example: (Suddenly, a DOOR SLAMS upstairs.)
capitalize Words/phrases
Occasionally, certain words or phrases should be capitalized to emphasize their importance or to denote a specific object or act.
Example: He picked up the PHONE and dialed 911.
Understanding these key film script format words will not only enhance your screenwriting but also make your material more readable and appealing to potential industry professionals. Happy writing!