WRITING SCREENPLAYS STANDARD 1.0 – SCRIPT WRITING

FORMAT A shooting screenplay is all about format. Except for dialogue, text is left aligned. No need for bold or italics.

FORM AND STYLE When describing mood and setting, be simple. Example: INT. COMPUTER ROOM- NIGHT EXT. CITY STREET- MORNING

GIVING DIRECTIONS Don’t put too many directorial and camera instructions in the script. Always use present tense.

DIALOGUE Hardest part of the screenplay. Play out the scene in your head, and try to translate the dialogue. It will help if you say it aloud. Things written down sounds different when said aloud. Try not to make it sound forced or clichéd.

TIMING On a good formatted screenplay, one full page equals one minute (+ or -) in your film. Once you revised and have a well-thought out screenplay, have someone else (not in your group) read it out loud. Do a “cold” table reading with your actors if possible. Bring a red pen to make changes.

REAL EXAMPLES Use the real examples to format your screenplay on the computer. Your screenplay should be about 8 pages long. You can use your Screenplay analysis/story treatment.