• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Screenwriting.io

Screenwriting.io

Answering basic questions about screenwriting.

  • Answers
  • About
  • Ask
  • Index
Generic filters
Exact matches only

What tense are screenplays written in?

Tagged: dramatic theory, film, formatting, presentation, screenplay, screenwriting, script, scriptwriting, writing

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 progressive can also be a valuable tool, as it is a way to express ongoing — and therefore interruptible — action.

Ryan is cutting the lawn, rocking out to his iPod, oblivious to the world around him, when the kids’ baseball PLUNKS him in the head.

More from johnaugust.com

  • Present tension
  • On the present tense
  • Using “we” in scene description
  • Of course grammar matters

Answer Index

script scriptwriting screenwriting screenplay formatting terms film presentation structure business writing software TV WGA Final Draft guild characters length credits FDX FDR union scene headings dramatic theory outlines arbitration adaptations fountain pdf highland producers managers Celtx guru Movie Magic rights agents awards pitching short film festival iPhone iPad directors prelap

Primary Sidebar

Switching from Final Draft to Highland 2

Switching from Final Draft
to Highland 2 – Get the PDF

© 2025 Screenwriting.io — All Rights Reserved.

  • Answers
  • About
  • Ask
  • Index