Reel Expression

So there is a universal standard in screenplay formatting that makes the rule of 1 page per 1 minute on screen. It’s pretty anal retentive - especially for machinima - however it does make writing and filming easier in the end when you know that 1 page is 1 minute. This makes specific timings much easier.

These are not random rules with words scattered on the page. Its logically and concisely planned to accommodate the unique aspects of the filming situation. You can’t just grab a novel and a camera. The script itself is the basic tool used by many people - directors, actors, editors, cinematographers, ect. Using the standard format ensures that everyone will get what you are trying to get across.

There are a few ms office templates you can use, but this one has a bit more information on how to use the alt keys.

Font: Courier 12-point type. Scripts should include dialogue and action descriptions but few to no camera directions and no soundtrack suggestions. Do not number your scenes and always leave 1 - 1 1/2 inches at the top and bottom of each page.

1. Transitions:
This is where the shot or scene is either beginning, ending or shifting to another shot or scene. Such directions are FADE IN:, FADE TO:, CUT TO:, and DISSOLVE TO:. These should be in all caps and fulsh with the right margin except FADE IN:, which is flush with the left margin.

Every screenplay must begin with FADE IN: at the top left margin. And end with FADE OUT:.

A note from an editor - Don’t overuse these or get clever about it. Most of the time they will be ingored by the editor, because it is our job to decide which transition goes best and hopefully if your script and shooting is well made, we won’t even have to use one.

2. Slug Line - Scene Heading:
This is the line that sets the scene and specifies the shot. It begins on the left margin (17 spaces from the left edge of the page) and written in all caps, with a double-spaced line before and after it. Most slug lines start with either EXT (exterior shot) or INT (interior shot). Next identify the specifics of the shot, such as a particular building and then precisely where the shot takes place. Organize the details by going from the more general to the more specific and end with day or night.

3. Action:
These are sentences or very short paragraphs that describe what happens during the scene. Always written in present tense. It should start 17 spaces from the left and single-spaced with regular capitalization. There should be 1 double-spaced line before and after the action text. If you have a lot of action, break it up into no longer then 5 or 6 lines.

This is what your character is doing in the scene. This IS the business of the scene and sometimes the most important part of your writing. It’s not only important what your character is saying, but what they’re doing that will reveal the most about them.

Be careful not to over-direct your actors.

It’s only important to make sure that Wayne is “rifling” through the box. Rifling suggests his impatience and perhaps that he’s been searching for this part for too long. That’s all we need to know to make the scene work. We don’t care if he sighs or shrugs or yawns while he does it. That’s the actor’s choice. The key is to use the right verb and avoid confusion on the reader and actor’s part.

4. Character Description:
Only use this once - at the introduction of the character. Have fun with these. Let us see the character, both on the outside and give a hint on the inside. Three sentences - more or less depending on your needs. The trick is to be economical yet specific.

This is also where brief descriptions of the character are when we first see them. The character’s name should be in all caps.

5. Character Cue:
The speaking character’s name should be in all caps and appear 43 spaces from the left edge of the page. A double-spaced line should appear above the name but single-spaced after.

6. Dialogue:
Should be in regular text and begin on the line below the speaking character’s name. Left margin is 28 spaces and right margin is 60 spaces.

Try to avoid large blocks of dialogue that run 7 or more lines. If the character needs to say more, add in a blank space.

When breaking up a line of dialogue with action use (CONT’D) after the character’s name.

7. Parenthetical Comments:
These help the speaker of the dialogue know what emotion you intend for the delivery. They are typically short - a word or two - and in regular text. This goes between the character’s name and the dialogue.

Some use this while others prefer to detail emotion in action instead.

Do’s and Don’ts:
Do spell out numbers unless three digits or more.
Do spell out personal titles except for Mr., Mrs., and Ms.
Do spell out time indicators: eleven-thirty, not 11:30.
Do spell out “okay.”
When in doubt - spell it out.
Do number you pages and put a period after the number. This should be at the top of the page, flush right, 4 lines down.
Do keep dialogue short
Do leave 1 - 1 1/2 inches at the top and bottom of each page.

Don’t use special effects directions
Don’t use sound effects directions
Don’t use camera directions and camera angles
Don’t use editing directions
Don’t number the first page
Don’t number your scenes
Don’t break a sentence from one page to another.
Don’t hyphenate a word from one line to the next unless it is normally hypenated. Example: son-in-law

The script inserts were made with the Scrippets plugin.