You finally did it—you’ve typed “FADE OUT.” You’ve got a story that crackles, characters that leap off the page, and dialogue that’s sharp enough to cut glass. But wait—before you rush to submit your masterpiece to Hollywood’s finest, there’s one final obstacle standing between you and cinematic immortality: formatting your screenplay.
Yes, screenplay formatting. The bane of every creatively minded soul, it feels more like math homework than storytelling. But like it or not, correct formatting is essential if you want industry gatekeepers to take your work seriously. So, let’s dive into the nitty-gritty, shall we?
1. The Basics (a.k.a., the Stuff You Absolutely Must Do)
Font & Margins
- Your screenplay should always be written in 12-point Courier font. No exceptions. Hollywood’s old-school like that.
- Margins? Simple:
- Left margin: 1.5 inches
- Right margin: 1 inch
- Top and bottom margins: 1 inch
Scene Headings (Sluglines)
- Clearly mark scene changes with INT. (interior) or EXT. (exterior), followed by the location and time of day. For example:
- INT. COFFEE SHOP – DAY
2. Action Descriptions (Less is Always More)
Action lines describe what’s visually happening in the scene. Keep these brief, punchy, and easy to visualize.
Wrong:
“Jessica feels sad as she sits down slowly at the cafe table, thinking deeply about her life choices.”
Right:
“Jessica slumps into the chair, staring blankly at her coffee.”
See? Shorter, punchier, clearer. Trust your actor and director to do the rest.
3. Character Names & Dialogue (Make It Sing)
Character names should be capitalized and centered above their dialogue. Dialogue, on the other hand, should have clear left and right margins (approximately 2.5 inches each).
Example:
JESSICA I can't believe it's come to this.
Again, resist the urge to over-explain with parentheticals. If you must use them, keep them short, sweet, and infrequent.
4. Parentheticals (Handle With Care)
Parentheticals provide brief instructions on how a line should be delivered:
Example:
JESSICA (whispering) Don't look now, but he's here.
Avoid using these unless absolutely necessary—they slow down reading and annoy actors.
5. Transitions (Use Sparingly)
CUT TO:, FADE IN:, and FADE OUT: are common transitions, but most screenplays don’t require many transitions beyond these basics.
6. Page Numbers & Headers (Keep It Professional)
Your screenplay pages should be numbered in the top-right corner. Include a cover page with the title centered, your name, and contact information at the lower-right corner.
7. Special Situations (Montages, Flashbacks, & Dreams)
Clearly label special storytelling techniques:
- Montage:
- Use clear labels like “MONTAGE BEGINS” and “MONTAGE ENDS.”
- Flashbacks:
- Include “FLASHBACK” in your scene heading.
- Dreams:
- Clearly label dream sequences, e.g., “DREAM SEQUENCE.”
Final Thoughts (a.k.a., Your Moment of Zen)
Yes, formatting is tedious. But done correctly, it makes your screenplay professional, readable, and ready to impress. Embrace the rules, master them, and then you can confidently let your creativity fly. Remember, a well-formatted screenplay won’t guarantee a Hollywood contract, but a poorly formatted one is guaranteed a fast track to the recycling bin.
Now, go forth and format—Hollywood awaits.
