Read these basic tips on writing movie scripts:

 

The Format of the movie script

The writing format of a film script has evolved and continues to evolve since the beginning of the seventh art. A screenwriter can write his script in a notebook or on napkins, but when presenting it to a producer, or even the actors, it is appropriate to do so in the industry-standard format.

For this, it is essential to make use of a specialized program to write scripts, although it is also useful to know the bases of this format. This not only helps the understanding of the script, but it is also a mark of professionalism. Some issues to consider in the script format (not all) are:

Extension

The standard leads one to think that a script page is equal to one minute on the screen, although this is variable and should not be used with total rigidity. For example, if you think about a 120-minute movie, the script should have about 120 pages.

Typography

The standard font for writing the movie script is Courier New size 12. The line spacing must be 1.5, and the text always aligned to the left.

 

Paper and Margins

The standard paper is the letter paper in America and in Europe the A4. The upper margin should be 1.3 cm and the lower margin 2.5 cm. The right and left margins vary depending on the element of the script format used, as you can see when you see each of these elements described below.

Elements of the Script Format

1. Scene Header

The heading indicates the place and time in which the scene takes place. First, it is indicated if the scene takes place inside (INT.) Or outside (EXT.). Then the specific name of the place (house, bar, hospital …) is indicated. Finally, the time is indicated (day, nights, sunrise, sunset). The head of the scene is written aligned to the left, with 4.3 cm of the left margin and a maximum of 3.3 cm of the right margin. Example:

INT. Police Station – Night

 

2. Description

It is a brief description of the action of the scene; the camera sees and listens to it. When a character appears for the first time, his name is capitalized, and a brief description of it is made. The description is justified, with 4.3 cm of left margin and 3.3 cm of the right margin. Example.

ANTONIO, 25 years old, tall and poorly dressed, is handcuffed to the police station, seized by a police officer. They push him toward a chair, so he gets seven.

 

3. Character

Before any intervention or dialogue, you must indicate which character will do it. The character’s name is always written in uppercase, 10.4 cm. from the left margin. Example:

Antonio

 

4. Dialogue

It is what the character says. It is written in lower case and with alignment to the left 6.8 cm from the left margin and maximum 6.1 cm from the right margin. Example:

Antonio

Do not dare to push me again.

 

5. Dimensioning

The dimensions help determine the tone or intention with which dialogue should be said. It is written in parentheses, in lower case, between the character and the dialogue, and 8.6 cm from the left margin. Example:

Antonio

(Sarcastic)
Do not dare to push me again.

6. Transition

Transitions are used to indicate a method of switching from one scene to another (CASE BLACK: DISSOLVENCE:, SHOW: …). They are always capitalized, aligned to the right, followed by a colon, 7.9 cm from the right margin. Example:

Antonio

(Sarcastic)
Do not dare to push me again.

CASE BLACK:

 

7. Plane

The drawings are camera instruction that should be used only in very necessary cases. The plans are the director’s decision, so the writer should refrain from using them within the script. But if it is done, the plan must be written in two parts: the uppercase character, and underneath the action in the uppercase, justified alignment of 4.3 cm of left margin and 3.3 cm of the right margin. Example:

Antonio

(Sarcastic)
Do not dare to push me again.

Antonio

His face is focused in the foreground.
However, if a professional script writing program is used , this program is already formatted to all industry standards, so the screenwriter does not have to worry about formatting the script itself. The best option if you try to avoid complications during writing a script.