Post 5: Formatting scripts

A lot of focus and detail is needed when formatting scripts as it needs to be structured well and understandable so it is easy to follow and read. Other key aspects whilst writing a script is the the correct format, the layout and also each page of script must equal too a minutes worth of footage.

Below is a list of what is necessary on a script and must follow.

 Dialogue

All of the words must not be broken at the end of the line. However this may be allowed if the word is naturally hyphen e.g non-diegetic.

Scene transitions

 Transitions eg cut to, do not have to be used and therefore they are optional. However if they are used a blank line then two blank lines should be followed straight after. These transitions should never be used to start a new page instead it should be shown at the bottom of the next page.

Margins



There are different margins in a script to show what it is.
Each element of the script has different margins to show that’s what it is.  

• Stage direction and shot headings - have a margin of 1.7" of the left and 1.1" on the right. 

• Character names over dialogue - (speaker) have a left margin of 4.1".
•  Dialogue has a left margin of 2.7" and a right margin of 2.4".

• Scenes transitions - such as cut to: and fade out, have a left margin of 6.0".      

• Top page margin - is .5" (or three single lines) before the page number. A single blank line separates the page number from the body of the script, which begins with either a continued: or a new shot heading/slug line.

• Bottom page margin - is at least .5" (or three single lines) following the (continued) or the end of a scene.

• Total page length - is a maximum of 60 lines,which included everything even the page number (but not including the 3 line margins at the top and bottom of the page).

              

Formatting shot headings

Every shot heading are placed on there own line with two blank lines above the line and one below it. The hidden shots are shown in the written commentary embedded on the sides.passages.

 

 

 

 

 

Below are the links to the pages I used to help me gather the info.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/send-a-script/formatting-your-script

Below is a script with notes on the sides to show what is going on. This helped me to understand how to format a script.