OFF SCREEN: Dialogue or sounds that are heard in the scene/location, but not actually seen. It can be a Narrator or Inner thoughts of a character on screen, or it can simply be a disembodied voice coming over a radio, telephone or speaker that the filmmakers can later add in post production. VOICE OVER: This is narration that does not originate in the scene itself. Pictured below is a screenshot from Script Studio MAX lines per page: 52 56 (including blank lines). Parentheticals aka Dialogue Directions should be 3.1" from the left margin or 6 spaces from the start of Dialogue. That's 1" from the Slugline or Scene Heading margin or about 10 spaces.Ĭharacter names should be 3.7" from the left margin or 12-13 spaces from the start of Dialogue Sluglines or Scene Headings are spaced 1 1/2" from the left side of the page.ĭialogue should be spaced 2 1/2" from the left margin. The top and bottom margins of your script should be 1". The right side of the script should have 1/2" to 1" of margin. The left side of your script should have a 1 1/2" margin. Using a script formatter like Script Studio will automatically put your screenplay into the correct format, saving you time and hassle. Please do not stray off the reservation with margins and tabs to lengthen or shorten your script, as any professional reader will spot this junior league tactic a mile away. There is no 100% rule to margins, but rather very firm guidelines one should attempt at all costs to follow. The lower end of the scale for comedies and the upper for dramas or action. If you are using a program with 'word count', your final draft should ideally weigh in at 18,000 - 22,000 words. Obviously films over two hours do get made all the time, but new writers who are trying to get their foot in Hollywood’s door should hang on to that 4 hour epic until you are an established player! Don’t give that overworked reader an easy excuse to bin your baby! So it's advisable to avoid submitting scripts longer than 120 pages or shorter than 90 pages. If you are entering screenplay contests via please be sure to put your entry tracking number on your title page! The page numbering begins at page two - page one's number is always omitted. The Title Page follows the cover page and includes the same information and also your contact information in the lower right corner. Also, resist the urge to add any graphics or logos.īelow is an example of how the cover page and script binding works Try to avoid adding any specific dates or draft numbers to your Title pages as it might make the reader think your material has been around the block a few times… And everyone in Hollywood is looking for new material. If you have a Copyright Registration Number from the US Library of Congress, the Writers Guild of America or our own Copyright Service, then it is a good idea to put it down here. In the bottom right corner add your contact information, including your address, phone and e-mail. Double space two lines below and add the words “written by” and of course… your name. Just start down from the top about a quarter of the page and center your screenplay title, either in all caps or surrounded by quotation marks. YouĪre a screenwriter not a layout artist, so no kerning the letters or fudging on the line spacing. Use "Courier Old" if possible but "Courier New” is also fine. “ COURIER” (typewriter) font 12pt is the one and only font you should use. Note: Hollywood Script Express has you covered, providing all the recommended materials to ensure your script is professionally presented! Fasteners should be placed in the top and bottom holes with the center hole left empty. Avoid the flimsy Staples kind.ģ-Hole-punched - Covers and Pages should be three hole punched. US Letter) with no watermarks.īinding - Two solid brass paper fasteners (1 1/4") a.k.a ‘brads’ should be used to bind the script. 8 1/2" X 11" plain white 20 lbs stock (i.e. Letter! Hollywood does not do metric so keep that A4 away from American airspace. You can also buy specialized software tailored specifically for formatting such as Script Studio which does most of the work for you, auto-completing as you type and formatting your text and margins automatically.Ĭlick here for more detailed information on the specific elements that make up a professional screenplay. Motion picture screenplay are explained below. Save you the embarrassment of such a shredding, the recommended Hollywood standards for formatting a feature length Screenplay contest judge's temper enflame more than a poorly formatted or shoddily presented script. Is just looking for an excuse - any excuse - to tear your submission apart. Your average overworked and underpaid script reader slaving away in some Hollywood hotshot’s Century City office
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