Script writing
FONT: courier 12 (timing reasons -> 1 pg=1 min) ! NOT ALWAYS!
! He picks up the gun and runs from doorway to doorway, dodging enemy fire while shooting
back until he reaches the tower.
LENGTH: 95-125 pg (HW ~1114 pg)
PG NUMBER: up-right corner (1 st pg no number)
SCENE HEADING (ALL CAPS)
INT. / EXT. / I./E.+ LOCATION + TIME OF THE DAY
Optional
CONTINUOUS ACTION (moving from a scene to another as the action continues)
ESTABLISHING SHOT (establishes a location/time)
STOCK SHOT (sequence previously shot and available for use)
INT. BEDROOM -NIGHT
INT. OFFICE – DAY - CONTINUOUS ACTION
! Keep them consistent
EXT. OUTER SPACE RAIN FOREST-NIGHT
2 pgs. later
EXT. OUTER SPACE JUNGLE-NIGHT
! Every page has a header (even though there are 3 pgs. with the same header)
ACTION
Full row, left – right
Real time only (now)
Short paragraphs (4-5 rows max)
Same shot- a sg line
CHARACTER NAME (ALL CAPS)
JOHN, DOCTOR, COP#1, COP#2
PARENTHETICALS
Not centered under character’s name
Attitude, verbal direction, action
Short, to the point, only used when necessary
JULIE
(sleepy)
What? What time is it?
FRANKIE
(getting out of bed)
After six. You will be late
again and I don’t want to hear it.
Character speaks + action + same character speaks
Frankie pull all covers off.
FRANKIE (CONT’D)
Character speaks while doing the action
You’re welcome
EXT. COFFEE SHOP – NOON
ANNA
(re: coffee)
Why is it so cold?
EXTENSIONS
How the character’s voice will be heard
O.S. – off screen (character out of camera range)
V.O. – voice over (narrator)
FRANKIE
(continuing)
You’re welcome.
(beat)
How long you gonna be?
JULIE (O.S.)
20 minutes.
TRANSITIONS (ALL CAPS)
CUT TO
DISSOLVE TO (time passed)
SMASH CUT
QUICK CUT
FADE TO
FADE OUT
CUT TO
SHOTS (formatted like scene headings)
DUAL DIALOGUE (side-by-side dialogue)
2 characters speak at the same time
Frankie and Julie are in a heated argument
FRANKIE JULIE
Get out of my life! Don’t you yell at me!
ADLIBS (crowd speaking)
The CROWD yells: “You stink!” “Rubber arm!” “You throw like my
sister!”
CROWD
You stink! Rubber arm! You throw like my sister!
ABBREVIATIONS
b.g. – background
Frankie sits on the bed putting shoes on. In the b.g. Julie takes
money out of the wallet.
CGI – computer generated image
CGI: His mouth begins to melt, he disappears entirely.
SFX – sound effects
SPFX – special effects (do not require CGI)
MOS – mit out sound – no sound
POV
JULIE’S POV: Frankie sits on the bed putting shoes on.
MONTAGE
Long period of time in more shots.
1. Josh is born. The doctors clean him and hand him over to his
mother.
2. Josh rolls over in his bed. His mother applauds.
3. Josh takes his first steps
4. Josh’s first day of school.
SERIES OF SHOTS (one location and same action)
A. Windows start to shake
B. Hanging signs swing back and forth.
C. Bricks and shards of glass begin to fall onto the sidewalk.
!SONG LYRICS-ALL CAPS
INTERCUTS
Cut back and forth between two/more scenes happening at the same time.
INT. SHERRI’S APARTMENT – NIGHT
Sherri…
INT. LENNY’S APARTMENT – NIGHT
Lenny…
INTERCUT BETWEEN SHERRI AND LENNY
Sherri sits on her bed…
Lenny moves closer to the window…
Sherri stands and…
! characters on the phone (using O.S.)
SUPERIMPOSE/TITLE (text/image over film footage)
EXT. BEACH – DAY
Young people play in the sand and water.
SUPERIMPOSE: Daytona beach, Spring break, 1966
! subtitles/translations of foreign languages/signs fall in this category
TITLE PAGE
Centered vertically and horizontally – title (bold)
2 lines below – written by
2 lines below – name
