geckopelli
09-06-2004, 04:47 PM
There’s been some interest expressed in screenwriting lately, so for neophytes:
Screenplays come in two basic forms: the spec script and the shooting script. The shooting script is the one commonly available, containing CLOSE-UP, and ZOOM IN, and (CONT), and ROLL CREDITS, etc.
The spec script (spec for speculation) is a screenplay that is designed to be read with minimal intrusion from technical direction.
So we are concerned only with the spec script, as this is what’s marketed.
Basic format:
CAPITALIZE THE TITLE
Fade in:
EXT. THE “SHOT” OR SCENE GOES HERE IN CAPS. “EXT.” (EXTERIOR) OR “INT.” (INTERIOR) STARTS THE DESCRIPTION, ACCORDINGLY, AND “-“ FOLOWED BY “DAY’ OR “NIGHT” OR A MORE SPECIFIC TIME IF NECESSARY TO THE STORY- DAY.
The action that is occurring is described thusly, in the present tense. It’s Sunday, and the library is practically deserted. SELA, a beautiful young graduate student with a touch of impatient haughtiness about her, sits in front of a computer staring intently at the monitor screen. Notice that the characters name is capitalized- but only the first time that character appears. Also note the brief description of Sela. It’s up to the casting director and the actress to fill her out.
CHARACTER
Dialogue here under the capitalized
characters name. This should be
centered, but the format here won't
allow it.Periods, commas,
semi-colons, colons, and question
marks are the only acceptable
punctuation, NO exclamation points.
The dialogue extends about 20 spaces
both ways from the center.
That’s the basics- Shot, Action, Dialogue, although the order of action and dialogue is not fixed.
One trick of spec writing is sneaking in directions that don’t read like directions. In the following example, note the characters name written alone and capitalized indicating a shot.
Everything that appears has not been covered, but it’s fairly self-explanatory. However, feel free to ask questions. (OS) means “off screen”.
Screenplays come in two basic forms: the spec script and the shooting script. The shooting script is the one commonly available, containing CLOSE-UP, and ZOOM IN, and (CONT), and ROLL CREDITS, etc.
The spec script (spec for speculation) is a screenplay that is designed to be read with minimal intrusion from technical direction.
So we are concerned only with the spec script, as this is what’s marketed.
Basic format:
CAPITALIZE THE TITLE
Fade in:
EXT. THE “SHOT” OR SCENE GOES HERE IN CAPS. “EXT.” (EXTERIOR) OR “INT.” (INTERIOR) STARTS THE DESCRIPTION, ACCORDINGLY, AND “-“ FOLOWED BY “DAY’ OR “NIGHT” OR A MORE SPECIFIC TIME IF NECESSARY TO THE STORY- DAY.
The action that is occurring is described thusly, in the present tense. It’s Sunday, and the library is practically deserted. SELA, a beautiful young graduate student with a touch of impatient haughtiness about her, sits in front of a computer staring intently at the monitor screen. Notice that the characters name is capitalized- but only the first time that character appears. Also note the brief description of Sela. It’s up to the casting director and the actress to fill her out.
CHARACTER
Dialogue here under the capitalized
characters name. This should be
centered, but the format here won't
allow it.Periods, commas,
semi-colons, colons, and question
marks are the only acceptable
punctuation, NO exclamation points.
The dialogue extends about 20 spaces
both ways from the center.
That’s the basics- Shot, Action, Dialogue, although the order of action and dialogue is not fixed.
One trick of spec writing is sneaking in directions that don’t read like directions. In the following example, note the characters name written alone and capitalized indicating a shot.
Everything that appears has not been covered, but it’s fairly self-explanatory. However, feel free to ask questions. (OS) means “off screen”.