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�SINGLE-COLUMN�SCREENPLAYS

Used for Film Production

Both Cinema and Dramatic Television (non-live)�

Focused on Story and Character

Does NOT contain technical information�

Follows a Strict Format

Universal Structure / Language
One Page = One Minute

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Determining Script Length�One Page of Screenplay = One Minute of Screentime

1 – 30 Pages

Commercials
Short Films
Sketches
Web Series
Episodic

30 – 60 Pages

Episodic
Television Series
Short Films
Pilots

90 – 120 Pages

Feature Films

Comedy
Horror
Action
Romance
Suspense

120+ Pages

Feature Films

Drama
Epics
Fantasy

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WHERE TO

BEGIN?

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WHERE TO

BEGIN?

A catchphrase or slogan used for advertising or promotion.

A one/two sentence summary of a film to entice an audience.

A scene-by-scene summary of a screenplay void of dialogue.

A properly formatted single column screenplay including every detail of the film.

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TAGLINES�A catchphrase or slogan used for advertising or promotion.

The 40 Year Old Virgin (2005)

► "The longer you wait, the harder it gets.“

�Alien vs. Predator (2004)

► "Whoever wins, we lose."

�Armageddon (1998)

► "Earth. It was fun while it lasted."

�The Big Lebowski (1998)

► "Her life was in their hands. Now her toe is in the mail."

�Catch Me If You Can (2002)

► "The true story of a real fake."

�Cool Runnings (1993)

► "One dream. Four Jamaicans. Twenty below zero."

�Dumb and Dumber (1994)

► "For Harry and Lloyd, every day is a no-brainer."

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LOGLINES�A one/two sentence summary of a film to entice an audience

THE HANGOVER

A Las Vegas-set comedy centered around three groomsmen who lose their about-to-be-wed buddy during their drunken misadventures, then must retrace their steps in order to find him.

THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION

Two imprisoned men bond over a number of years, finding solace and eventual redemption through acts of common decency.

THE HELP

An aspiring author during the civil rights movement of the 1960s decides to write a book detailing the African-American maid’s point of view on the white families for which they work, and the hardships they go through on a daily basis.

FORREST GUMP

Forrest Gump, while not intelligent, has accidentally been present at many historic moments, but his true love, Jenny, eludes him.

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL

Blacksmith Will Turner teams up with eccentric pirate “Captain” Jack Sparrow to save his love, the governor’s daughter, from Jack’s former pirate allies, who are now undead.

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SCREENPLAY�FORMATTING

Indy Mogul breaks down the FIVE basic elements of screenwriting:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZszextv6yE

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SCENE HEADING�or the “Slugline”

Indicates a NEW Scene

Shows a change in location and/or time

Indicates Location

EXT – Exterior / Outside
INT – Interior / Inside
Includes BRIEF description of location

IE: Book Store, Parking Lot, etc.

Indicates Time

Can be General

IE: Day, Night, Dusk, etc.

Can be Specific

IE: 9:03pm on October 31, 1978

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SCENE DESCRIPTION�or the “Action”

The Heart of the Script

Visual Information (Characters, Locations, etc.)
Movement, Positions and Emotional Responses

Present Tense

Scene Descriptions are ALWAYS written in the present tense as the action is unfolding in realtime

Bill glanced to the left and saw the gun on the table. So did Chris. Without hesitation, both men lunged for the firearm.

Character Introductions

All characters are introduced in the action.
Character names appear in ALL CAPS the first time they appear in the Scene Description

The WAITRESS approached the table cautiously.

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CHARACTER�NAMES

Centered, All Caps
Followed by Dialogue connected to that character
Character names should point back to characters introduced previously during the action

AVOID – Introducing characters with dialogue
NOTE – Character names do not need to be names

For Example – OLD MAN, SHADOWY FIGURE, etc.

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DIALOGUE

Centered, Proper Grammar
Reserved for VERBAL communication only

AVOID – Inner Dialogue / Character thoughts
NOTE – Narration can serve as “inner dialogue”

Keep it Natural

AVOID – Wonky, un-thought-out dialogue…
NOTE – Dialogue should reflect the characters upbringing and intentions – use dialects when possible.

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PARENTHETICALS

Centered, Between Character Names and Dialogue elements
Enclosed in Parenthesis

For Example – ( Rolls Her Eyes )

Reserved for ACTION that is closely connected to Dialogue

AVOID – Adding Parentheticals for every line of dialogue…
NOTE – When in doubt, add in action instead unless it MUST be a parenthetical

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