Industry-Standard Formatting 101

As a filmmaker, you understand the importance of a well-crafted script. It’s the foundation of your film, guiding every aspect of production. However, a great story can be overshadowed by poor formatting, leading to rejection and disappointment. In this article, we’ll delve into the essential script formatting guidelines, empowering you to present your work in a professional and industry-standard manner.

• Shows respect for the reader’s time and attention
• Enhances readability and comprehension
• Demonstrates your professionalism and attention to detail
• Increases the chances of your script being read and considered

Font and Size

• Use 12-point Courier or Courier New font, the industry standard for readability.
• Avoid using other fonts, as they may be difficult to read or appear unprofessional.

Margins

• Leave 1-inch margins on all sides (top, bottom, left, and right).
• This provides ample space for notes and annotations.

Line Spacing

• Use double-spacing to make it easy to read and annotate.
• This also allows for clear distinction between lines of dialogue and action.

Indentation

• Use 3.7 inches for character names and 2.2 inches for dialogue.
• This consistent indentation helps the reader quickly identify character names and dialogue.

Scene Headings

• INT. or EXT. indicate interior or exterior locations.
• Day or Night specify the time of day.
• Location describes the setting (e.g., “John’s Office”).

Action Lines

• Present tense: Write in the present tense (e.g., “John walks into the room.”).
• Active voice: Use active voice (e.g., “John kicks the ball.” instead of “The ball is kicked by John.”).
• Concise: Keep action lines brief and focused on essential actions.

Character Names

• Capitalize: Capitalize character names when introducing them.
• Age and description: Include age and a brief description (e.g., “JANE (30s, a determined journalist)”).

Dialogue

• Indentation: Use 2.2 inches for dialogue.
• Character names: Capitalize character names above dialogue.
• Action beats: Use action lines to indicate character movements or actions during dialogue.

Transitions

• FADE IN: Start your script with “FADE IN:”.
• CUT TO: Use “CUT TO:” to indicate a sudden change in scene.
• FADE TO BLACK: End your script with “FADE TO BLACK.”.

• Use clear and concise language.
• Avoid using camera angles and directions (e.g., “ZOOM IN ON”).
• Use transitions to guide the reader through the story.
• Proofread your script multiple times to catch errors and formatting issues.