- Use Courier font, 12-point size.
Scene Heading
- A new scene begins flush left with the page number centered 1” from the top.
- INT. APARTMENT - NIGHT
Character Name and Dialogue
- The character's name is always listed first, in all capital letters, directly centered with a colon after the name.
- Character's dialogue begins three lines below the name.
- Use double spaces to separate lines of a character’s dialogue.
- Do not indent dialogue.
- Use a consistent format for character dialogue.
CHARACTER NAME
This is dialogue text.
Action and Description
- Describe locations, actions, props, and emotions.
- Action typically requires a new paragraph.
- Action that occurs at the same time as dialogue can follow within the same paragraph, provided it is written so it is clear what is happening and who is speaking.
- Maintain clear spacing before, after, and between all text blocks with consistent double spacing.
Camera Direction and Visuals
- Visual effects that are to be represented, special camera directions, or specific lens choices should be detailed within parentheses:
- (EXTREME CLOSE UP - HER EYES).
Parenthetical Notation
- Parentheticals are also used for:
- Emotion cues: (CONTEMPTUOUS)
- Phonetic pronunciations: (EH-THAHN)
- Gestures: (TAKES A SIP)
- Reactions: (SMILES)
- Voice attributes: (SOFTLY)
Character Interruptions
- When one character is interrupted, the line after the interruption should be set off with (CONT’D).
CHARACTER NAME
(CONT’D)
Now it’s my turn to speak.
Extended Text
- Avoid large bodies of text. Large amounts of text can be represented by the insertion of:
- “PAGE OF DIALOGUE”
- “SEVERAL PAGES OF DIALOGUE”
- “PAGES OF DIALOGUE”
- “THE REST OF THE SCENE IS A BLUR”
- Etc.
Ending the Scene
- Each scene should end with the word "FADE OUT" or "CUT TO BLACK."