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How to Format a Cartoon Script

Animation screenplays are formatted the same way as live-action screenplays. The major difference between the two is the level of visual images required to bring animated scripts to life. Because animated films and TV programs rely on visual gags and powerful imagery, a writer must focus more on the action lines in these scripts. Format an animated script using slug lines to indicate the location of a scene, action lines to describe what occurs in a scene and character dialogue.

Instructions

    • 1

      Begin the script by typing "FADE IN" at the top, left side of the page. This indicates that an image appears on a formerly blank or black screen.

    • 2

      Type a slug line to indicate where the scene takes place. For example, "EXT - PARK - DAY," means the scene takes place in a park in the daytime. Note, that slug lines almost always use the word "DAY" or "NIGHT" to indicate the time of day. If you want to be more specific, describe the exact time of day in your action line description.

    • 3

      Type the action lines directly beneath the slug line. Action lines describe what happens in a scene. In animation scripts, rich details are vital to establish the visual tableau. Use uppercase letters when you introduce a character for the first time. So your format would look like this:

      EXT. PARK - DAY

      The sun has just crested the horizon. JIMINY CRICKET hops along the light-streaked park benches, clutching a red umbrella as he hums a show tune. He wears a black topcoat, with an upturned collar and shiny blue hat with a black band in the middle.

    • 4

      Type the character's name in uppercase letters centered on the page, then type his dialogue directly beneath. Dialogue is written using normal sentence capitalization. For example:

      JIMINY CRICKET

      Oh, what a wonderful morning! I wonder

      what fun things I can do today?

    • 5

      Use uppercase letters for every word in a song that a character is singing. Type "Singing" in parentheses at the end of the character's name to indicate he is singing. So, for example, if Jiminy Cricket is singing instead of speaking his dialogue, it would look like this:

      JIMINY CRICKET (singing)

      HAPPY DAYS ARE HERE AGAIN! LET THE JOY AND

      SINGING BEGIN!

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