Yes. Any essential element should be put in all caps when it is first introduced, especially a character, regardless of if it is human or if it speaks. So essential animals’ names go in all caps, too. Department heads look for capitalized elements to guide them and tell them where and for what their department […]
What tense are screenplays written in?
Unlike novels, which can be written in a variety of tenses, screenplays are always written in present tense. Some writers employ an objective 2nd person tense for point of view, where “we” stands in for the audience. Through the crowd of befuddled heads, we see a MAN IN HORNED-RIMMED GLASSES, staring with intent. The present […]
How long should it take to write a screenplay?
There is no set length of time it should take to write a screenplay, but professional screenwriters are often given deadlines they have to meet, so being able to write quickly and efficiently is certainly an asset. Feature deals usually allow for a 12-week writing period for the first draft, but the deadline is often […]
What screenplays should aspiring screenwriters read?
One of the best ways to figure out formatting, story, and other screenwriting questions is to read others’ screenplays. There is no set list of screenplays all aspiring screenwriters should read, but here is some general advice: * Read screenplays by well known and reputable writers, so you know you are leaning from good examples. […]
What is a McGuffin?
A McGuffin (sometimes MacGuffin or maguffin) is a device that drives the plot, but has no real relevance. A good example is the briefcase in Pulp Fiction: viewers can speculate on its contents, but the truth is it doesn’t matter what’s inside; it’s just something to drive the plot. The term is often attributed to […]
What is the proper way to label dialogue spoken by a group of characters?
When multiple characters are speaking the same dialogue simultaneously (as opposed to [two characters speaking different dialogue at the same time](https://screenwriting.io/how-do-you-format-two-characters-talking-at-once/)), you will usually handle it with slashes. HOSTESS/WAITER/CHEF Welcome to Jurassic Pork! There are times where alternatives are also acceptable. If there is a singular label that clearly expresses who is speaking, for instance, […]