2013 Post 5- Script formatting

In order to write my script I had to undergo research into how to format it. I discovered that there are different softwares where one can write scripts, you can use a scriptwriting software such as Final Draft or there are also typewriters and many writers work on celtex.com. This is an online site for scriptwriting and collaboration that provides software and services for writers on many devices; whilst online they can work with their production team on the same script.
You can visit the site here: https://www.celtx.com/index.html


I will be using Microsoft Word to write my script, in 12-point courier font as this is the standard font that can fit 10 characters per line. My script will require a minimum of 3 pages as each page is equivalent to one minute screen time.
There are three parts to any script:

Headings, for Master and Secondary scenes (these are only used when starting a new scene, they must be in capitals, underlined and should be followed by action):

• Include camera location in EXT(exterior) or INT(interior)
• Scene location in brackets
• Time MORNING, AFTERNOON, EVE, DAY or NIGHT
• Headings for montages, flashbacks, dream sequences etc

Narrative description(words should be used sparingly because film is a visual medium, and in present tense as you watch a film in the present):

• Action/Character movement(helps viewer imagine what would be happening on screen e.g 'looks intensely'. Aligned left)
• Visual (character and settings)
• Sounds

Dialogue(sharp and to the point as films are focused on action and use double spaces between dialogue and action):

• The person's name should be in capitals, aligned centre at the top(dialogue directly underneath)
• Speech(Justify this)

Example of text alignment from Jurassic Park screenplay

Below is an example of formatting when a shot/scene continues from one page to the next:


SKYLAR
           See, it's my life story.
                        (MORE)
        
                                              (CONTINUED)
        
-------------------------page break--------------------------
        
                                                 Page 23.
CONTINUED:
        
                        SKYLAR (CONT'D)
                 (parenthetical goes here)
           Five more minutes and I would have got
           to hear your best pick-up line.
        
                        WILL
           The caramel thing is my pick-up line.


CUT TO or FADE TO can be put in the bottom right hand corner with double spacing between this and the sentence above for scene transitions.


As well as the information above I will have to make sure to do these when writing my script:

The left margin should be 1.5 inches from the edge and the right margin between 0.5 inches to 1.25 inches. The top and bottom margins must be 1 inch and any character description should focus on the nature of the character rather than too much physical description.

I found some information from these sites below:
http://www.simplyscripts.com/WR_format.html
www.filmscriptwriting.com