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How to Write a Screenplay Template

Writing a screenplay can be daunting. If you are just starting with an idea you can get off track if you are not careful to take the time and think about the structure of your work. Creating a screenplay template to guide you through the process can make things go much smoother. A template will make sure that all vital parts of the screenplay are addressed. Once it is created and filled in, you can go about the task of writing solid dialogue and characters for your new work.

Instructions

    • 1

      Create a template cover page. All information on this page should be center justified and placed midway down the page. Place the space holders of "Screenplay Title," "Writer Name," Draft Version" and "Date of Draft." You might also want to include a section for the author's mailing information in the lower left corner of the page.

    • 2

      Place your first screenplay template directive. Begin with the bold type font of "Scene Heading" which indicates how the story begins and its setting. This directive will allow the person following your template to state the story title and beginning in the appropriate format for writing a play. Leave two to four spaces after this.

    • 3

      Indent and include further scene template formats. Include "stage directions," "character names," "dialogue," "scene transitions" and "shot directions" in this area. Each should have several lines of free space between them. It is fine if these continue for more than one page. The idea is to indent each topic and allow sufficient room for you or the screenplay writer to fill in the information as needed.

    • 4

      Close your template with the scene direction of "zoom out -- scene end." This indicates that the screenplay has reached its end. This directive on the template is not indented. It should be the last directive and in most cases is placed in bold type.

Screen Writing

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