Video
1B
Screenplay
Format Assignment
15
Points
Objective:
To properly format the elements of a screenplay.
Procedure:
Read this description on how to format a motion
picture script.
Then
read the summary below. Then copy the
Star Wars (A
GRADING
CRITERIA
Follows
the formatting guidelines listed below.
Turned
in on the server. With your last name
and assignment number.doc
A
script for a short or feature film follows a standard format. While different textbooks suggest slightly
different variations on this format, the one below is typical of the expected
format. Note that television scripts follow a different format.
Use the following guides to set up your own
tabs and margins:
PAGE
MARGINS
Left margin - 1.5 inches
Right margin - 1 inch (or 8 inches from the left edge)
Top margin - 1 inch
Bottom margin - 1inch
SCRENPLAY
ELEMENT MARGINS
Scene Heading – “0” zero inches – on the margin (1.5 inches from the left edge of the page)
Action Lines – “0” zero inches – on the margin (1.5 inches from the left edge of the page)
Character – 2.5 inches from the margin (4 inches from the left edge of the page)
Dialogue – 1.5 inches from the margin. Ends 4.5 inches from the margin (3 inches from the left edge of the page – Ends 6 inches from left edge (3 inches of text)
Parentheticals – 2 inches from margin. (3.5 inches from the left edge of the page). Ends 4.5 inches from the margin.
CAPITALIZATION
AND SPACING
Font
Courier font set at 12 points is the standard type used in film scripts. Use nothing else. The rule-of-thumb for this typeface is that it that it results in a page of script that will equal about a minute of the finished film. Most feature film scripts are about 100 to 120 pages long, which translates into a movie that is between an hour and a half and two hours long.
Spacing
Dialogue should be no wider than 3.5 inches. Set your right margin of all dialogue at 6 inches from the left edge of the page.
Parentheticals should be no wider than 2.5 inches. Set your right margin of all parentheticals at 5.6 inches from the left edge of the page.
Page
Numbers
Page numbers should appear in the upper right corner. Your first page should not carry a page number.
Scene
Numbers
The primary difference between a spec script – what you are writing – and a shooting script is the addition of scene numbers. Spec scripts do not have scene numbers. Shooting scripts add scene numbers for use in production.
A screen play has five major elements.
1. Scene Heading
2. Action Line
3. Character
4. Dialogue
5. Parenthetical
SCENE HEADING – The Scene Heading is sometimes called The Master Scene Heading. It indicates the start of a new scene and is used just one time per scene at the beginning. Also called the Slugline, the Scene Heading breaks down into four parts:
1.
2.
3.
4.
39. EXT. TATOOINE - ANCHORHEAD SETTLEMENT - POWER STATION - DAY.
1. SCENE NUMBER. Used only on shooting scripts. These numbers make it easy for the filmmakers
to refer to specific scenes, and to schedule the shooting of scenes at the same
location on the same day.
2. INT. or EXT. (Interior or Exterior) – Notes if this scene inside or outside of a building.
3. LOCATION – Where is the scene taking place? In this case it is on the planet of Tatooine. A hyphen marks additional information, that this is the Anchorhead Settlement, and that it is at the Power Station
4. TIME OF DAY – When is the scene taking place? In most cases, you should be as
general as the scene allows. This gives the production crew flexibility when to plan to
shoot this scene. However, if it’s critical that the scene take place at noon, or early
morning, or 5 minutes before midnight, then you should certainly be specific.
The Scene Heading is always written in ALL CAPS.
ACTION LINE – The Action Line tells the reader what is happening in each scene. It is always written in the present tense. When a character I first introduced, write the name in ALL CAPS. The rest of the Action Line is not written in all caps. Some writers write action lines sparely. Action lines are not intended to be a novel but directions to the director and actors.
CHARACTER – The Character Line is obviously the name of the Character speaking. It is written in ALL CAPS. You do not have to name every speaking part in your screenplay. For minor characters that speak just once or twice, you can certainly name them MAN #1, WOMAN #2, BOY #1, etc.
DIALOGUE – Dialogue is what your character is speaking. Movie dialogue is different than normal, every day conversation. In most cases, you want to keep your dialogue brief and to the point. Keep the story moving forward.
PARENTHETICAL – The parenthetical describes a character’s action or dialogue. For example, you could use a parenthetical to make sure a character whispers or screams. You could use it to add a pause or “beat” to a character’s dialogue. They only note the character’s emotional or vocal tone. Only use a parenthetical if your dialogue does not make this clear. Let the actors and director do their jobs.
ASSIGNMENT
Copy the text below. Open up a Microsoft Word document and set the page margins. Then paste the script into the document and format it as a proper screenplay.
42. INT. DOCKING BAY 94 - DAY. Jabba the Hut and a half-dozen grisly alien pirates and purple creatures stand in the middle of the docking bay. Jabba is the grossest of the slavering hulks and his scarred face is a grim testimonial to his prowess as a vicious killer. He is a fat, slug-like creature with eyes on extended feelers and a huge ugly mouth. JABBACome on out, Solo! A voice from directly behind the pirates startles them and they turn around to see Han Solo and the giant Wookiee, Chewbacca, standing behind them with no weapons in sight. HANI've been waiting for you, Jabba. JABBAI expected you would be. HANI'm not the type to run. JABBA(fatherly-smooth)Han, my boy, there are times when you disappoint me...why haven't you paid me? And why did you have to fry poor Greedo like that...after all we've been through together. HANYou sent Greedo to blast me. JABBA(mock surprise)Han, why you're the best smuggler in the business. You're too valuable to fry. He was only relaying my concern at your delays. He wasn't going to blast you. HANI think he thought he was. Next time don't send one of those twerps. If you've got something to say to me, come see me yourself. JABBAHan, Han! If only you hadn't had to dump that shipment of spice...you understand I just can't make an exception. Where would I be if every pilot who smuggled for me dumped their shipment at the first sign of an Imperial starship? It's not good business. HANYou know, even I get boarded sometimes, Jabba. I had no choice, but I've got a charter now and I can pay you back, plus a little extra. I just need some more time. JABBA(to his men)Put your blasters away. Han, my boy, I'm only doing this because you're the best and I need you. So, for an extra, say twenty percent I'll give you a little more time...but this is it. If you disappoint me again, I'll put a price on your head so large you won't be able to go near a civilized system for the rest of your short life. HANJabba, I'll pay you because it's my pleasure. 43. EXT. DOCKING PORT ENTRY - ALLEYWAY. Chewbacca waits restlessly at the entrance to Docking Bay 94. Ben, Luke, and the robots make their way up the street. Chewbacca jabbers excitedly and signals for them to hurry. The darkly clad creature has followed them from the speeder lot. He stops in a nearby doorway and speaks into a small transmitter. 44. INT. MOS EISLEY SPACEPORT - DOCKING BAY 94 Chewbacca leads the group into a giant dirt pit that is Docking Bay 94. Resting in the middle of the huge hole is a large, round, beat-up, pieced-together hunk of junk that could only loosely be called a starship. LUKEWhat a piece of junk. The tall figure of Han Solo comes down the boarding ramp. HANShe'll make point five beyond the speed of light. She may not look like much, but she's got it where it counts, kid. I've added some special modifications myself. Luke scratches his head. It's obvious he isn't sure about all this. Chewbacca rushes up the ramp and urges the others to follow. HANWe're a little rushed, so if you'll hurry aboard we'll get out of here. The group rushes up the gang plank, passing a grinning Han Solo. 45. INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON. Chewbacca settles into the pilot's chair and starts the mighty engines of the starship. 46. INT. MOS EISLEY SPACEPORT - DOCKING BAY 94. Luke, Ben, Threepio, and Artoo move toward the Millennium Falcon passing Solo. THREEPIOHello, sir.