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How to Format the Beginning of a Screenplay

The screenplay is the foundation of a movie, often called its blueprint. While practically everything that happens in a movie should happen in the script, there are still instances where improvisations are made during the course of filming the movie. There are several screenwriting programs available to writers that will format a screenplay correctly. The industry standard is so used to working with these programs that it is almost impossible to think of writing without one. The format has not changed much since its beginning in the early 20th century, so computer programs match the old typewriter style nearly exactly.

Things You'll Need

  • Screenwriting software
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Instructions

    • 1

      Format the title page. When printed out on white paper it should be 8.5 inches by 11 inches. Type the title of the screenplay in capital letters about a third, to almost halfway down the page. Optionally, the title can be underlined, or placed in quotation marks. Screenwriting software will have a "title" prompt preset.

    • 2

      Type "by" and "your name" two spaces below the title. You can use two spaces between the words "by" and "your name," or one. The terms "written by" and "screenplay" by are also used.

    • 3

      Type your contact information near the bottom margin of the page. Your home address, email address and phone number should be right-aligned. Do this only if you do not have agency representation. If you have agency representation, the agency will stamp its contact information on the title page.

    • 4

      Type "FADE IN:" on the first line of the script in the upper left-hand margin. The margins are usually set for 1.5 inches to the left and 1 inch for the right.

    • 5

      Press "Enter" to move down to the next line. The computer screenwriting program will automatically double-space.

    • 6

      Write what is called the "slug line." Type "INT." or "EXT." depending on whether a scene takes places at the interior of a location or exterior. Hit a space bar once, then type the name of the location where the scene takes place. Enter a space, type a hyphen and enter another space again. Type "DAY" or "NIGHT" depending on when the scene takes place.

    • 7

      Press "Enter. "Write the action of your scene. Do this as you would write a standard paragraph, using proper capitalization and grammar. Use two spaces after a period.

    • 8

      Press "Enter" again, then tab to the character setting. Type your character'd name. This will be in all capital letters.

    • 9

      Press "Enter" again to move to your dialogue setting. Write your character's dialogue. Use Standard paragraph formatting and double-space after each period.

    • 10

      Write your first page following this format. Your software should be set to start a page number on the second page of the screenplay. It will be Page 2.

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