How are multicamera TV scripts formatted?

Multicamera television scripts (think: anything with a laugh track) have the most unique formatting elements of the [common script variations](https://screenwriting.io/is-there-a-standard-screenplay-format/).

Multicamera shows are shot on a stage in front of an audience, so their scripts look like a hybrid of screenplay format and play format. While each show has its unique variations, there are formatting elements that are standard.

In brief, some major differences:

* Slugs/scene headings are often underlined. Sometimes, the names of each character featured in the scene are listed in parentheses directly below the scene heading.

* All action and description is in all caps.

* Character names are underlined the first time they are introduced.

* Often, character entrances and exits are underlined. Sometimes, major physical transitions are as well, ie “JEFF CROSSES TO THE OTHER END OF THE ROOM.”

* Major or important sounds, sound effects, and special effects are often underscored, and usually set off with a colon, ie “SOUND: DOOR SLAMS.”

* Dialogue is often double spaced.

* Parentheticals are more common than they are in feature screenplays. They do not have to be on separate lines, and are sometimes in line with the dialogue.

* Often, scenes will be identified by a standard designation (ie “ACT 1 SCENE B”), and sometimes all new scenes will start on new pages.

* The page header will often include the scene and act numbers below the page number.

* Acts all begin on a new page, and start with the all-caps, centered act number written about 1/3 of the way down the page. For example, act two will start on a new page, with “ACT TWO” centered before the first scene header, and the top 1/3 of the page will be blank save the page header. This also applies to the cold open and the tag.

* Acts end with a centered, all-caps “END OF ACT [NUMBER].” Again, this applies to the cold open and tag as well.

* The end of the episode is indicated with an underlined, right justified “FADE OUT.”

To best understand multicamera script format, read as many as possible. This [TV writing resource](https://sites.google.com/site/tvwriting/) has some available to download under the US Comedy section. You will notice that most shows employ their own unique variations of the above rules.