Parentheticals (also called “wrylies” or “actor’s direction”) are used to clear up confusion about a line that could be read multiple ways: COACH FOX(sarcastically) Nice throw, Kyle. They can also be used to indicate who a speaker is addressing: COACH FOX(to Tebow) Get in there already! You will sometimes see them used to indicate action. […]
What is standard screenplay format?
While there can be slight variations for different types of scripts (ie multicam sitcom teleplays), screenplays follow strict formatting rules. Fortunately, software like Highland, will do the heavy lifting for you. Here are the basics: 12-point Courier font 1.5 inch left margin 1 inch right margin (between .5 inches and 1.25 inches), ragged 1 inch […]
What is a slug?
A slug or slugline (or “slug line”) is an uppercase line of text with a blank line above and below it. While the term slugline can be used interchangeably with scene heading, it more often refers to an “intermediary slugline,” which is used to break up and re-focus a longer scene, or to point out […]
How do you format a montage in a screenplay?
There is no hard and fast rule for how to format montages in screenplays. As with all formatting, the goal is to express what’s happening on screen as clearly and simply as possible, without breaking up the flow of the screenplay or taking your reader out of the script. The following are a few montage […]
What is a pre-lap?
A pre-lap is when the dialogue (or any sound) from the next scene starts before we cut away from the previous scene. They are a common and useful transition. Pre-laps are often inserted in editing, but they can also be written into scripts. Dialogue pre-laps are indicated with the parenthetical “(PRE-LAP)” next to the character’s […]
What does a screenplay title page look like?
All title pages should include following, centered on the page: the title (in uppercase) written by the writer’s name(s) based on (if any) The date goes in the lower right-hand corner. For a spec script, the title page should include contact info for the writer or her representation on the left margin opposite the date. […]