Script And Screenwriting Tips On The Go

By Author: Russell Foster
Total Articles: 39
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If you are reading this then you must have a deep interest in writing a screenplay. Whether writing for a TV show, a movie or any theatrical production, you cannot go ahead without a screenplay. Do not scare yourself from writing your first script; just make it your own way. So, here is a handy overview for you to write a screenplay easily. Before writing a screenplay you must have a basic knowledge of it just like what is it, how it is to be prepared and what are its elements. Being professional, a screenplay simply is a page document of 100-120 pages written in 12 pt Courier font on 8 1/2" x 11" college white colored paper. But why Courier font and why such measurements?
There is an answer of every question. It's actually a timing issue. A single formatted script page with Courier font means around 1 minute of screen time. A document of 100-120 pages means a screen play which is a comedy would come in 1-1 ? hours and the dramas for a bit long i.e., 2 hours.
THE FIRST PAGE
You should have a grasp of general spacing standards that frees you to learn the hard facts of indents and margins. The left margin is ...
... to be 1.5" and the top, right and bottom is to be 1". The extra half-inch of light area left of a script page provides for binding with brads, but still imparts feelings of straight sense of balance from the textual content of the page. The complete record has to be single-spaced.
The very first thing the 1st page ought to be the text FADE IN: Always remember that the 1st page will be never ever designated.
Subsequent page numbers should be at the top of upper right corner, 0. 5" from the top page, flush right to the margin.
ELEMENTS
A screenwriter must have the knowledge of various important elements of the screenplay.
Title
Indent: Left 0.0", Right 0.0" and width 6.0"
A title should be a meaningful one-line description of the time, location and day which has to be in CAPITALS and is also known as the "Slugline".
Sub heading
Indent will be same as the Title.
When only some distinctions are required rather than a main new scene, a sub-header is made to define it.
Action
Indent is again same as the title.
The events of the scene when presented as a narrative description is the action part which only includes the action that are seen and heard.
Character
Indent: Left: 2.0", Right: 0.0" and Width: 4.0".
A character in a screenplay is the main part of the play.
Dialogue
Indent: Left: 1.5", Right: 2.5", and Width: 3.5".
Dialogues of the screenplay are the spices of the play which are the essential part.
Shot
Indent: Left: 0.0", Right: 0.0" and Width: 6.0".
A shot tells the readers the changing scene of the play.
When all put together, makes a brilliant screenplay.
So your journey from a blank paper to the silver screen is tedious now.

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