Video 1B

Screenplay Format Assignment –Napoleon Dynamite

15 Points Possible (individual assignment)

OBJECTIVE: To properly format the elements of a screenplay. (This is an individual, not a group assignment.)

PROCEDURE: Read this description on how to format a motion picture script.

Then read the summary below. Then copy the Napoleon Dynamite script at the bottom of the page and paste it into a Microsoft Word document. Then format the text into a proper screenplay.

GRADING CRITERIA

Follows the formatting guidelines listed below.

Document is 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. The numbers are useful for referring to specific scenes and in setting up a shot list.

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.

7. INT. – SCHOOL HALLWAY - LOCKER AREA - DAY

1. SCENE NUMBER. This is 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 inside a school bus. A hyphen marks additional information. In the example above, that the scene takes place in the school hallway area where lockers are located.

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.

1. EXT. NAPOLEON'S HOUSE – MORNING

NAPOLEON, a high school teenager, stands in front of his small farmhouse waiting for the school bus. He has curly, poufy hair with bed-head, generic glasses, early 90s moon boots, and a t-shirt with an Idaho wildlife scene printed on it.

He opens his Trapper Keeper to reveal an action figure attached to some fishing line. A school bus screeches to a halt in front of him. He closes the Trapper Keeper.

2. INT. SCHOOL BUS - MORNING

The bus door opens. Napoleon gets on and goes to the very back. He sits down next to VERN, a kindergartner eating a hash-brown.

VERN

What are you gonna do today Napoleon?

NAPOLEON

(exasperated)

Whatever I feel like I wanna do, gosh!

Napoleon opens the window next to him and takes out his action figure. He looks ahead to make sure the BUS DRIVER isn't watching. He wraps more fishing line around the action figure and then chucks it out the window.

3. EXT. SCHOOL BUS - MORNING

The action figure is being dragged behind the bus.

4. INT. SCHOOL BUS - MORNING

Napoleon watches the action figure. He makes a fist and jerks it down.

NAPOLEON

Yes!

5. EXT. SCHOOL BUS - MORNING

The action figure is still being dragged.

6. INT. HIGH SCHOOL CLASSROOM - DAY

Napoleon sits at his desk drawing a picture of a warrior holding a battle ax. A GIRL is reading a current event.

GIRL

… the United Nations will continue its relief efforts to hurricane victims in Roatan.

The girl sits down behind Napoleon.

TEACHER

Napoleon, your current event?

NAPOLEON

Last week, Japanese scientists explaced- placed explosive detonators at the bottom of Lake Loch Ness to blow Nessie out of the water. Sir Curt Godfrey of the Nessie Alliance summoned the help of Scotland's local wizards to cast a protective spell over the lake and its local residents and all those who seek for the peaceful existence of our underwater ally.

7. INT. – SCHOOL HALLWAY - LOCKER AREA - DAY

DON

Hey, Napoleon, what'd you do all last summer again?

NAPOLEON

I told you. I spent it with my uncle in Alaska hunting wolverines.

DON

Did you shoot any?

NAPOLEON

Yes, like 50 of 'em. They kept tryin' to attack my cousins. What the heck would you do in a situation like that?

DON

What kind of gun did you use?

NAPOLEON

A frickin' 12-gauge. What do you think?