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How to Format a Movie Script

You may have a great idea or the next great story. Maybe you're even a great writer. None of this matters, however, if you don't know how to properly format your script. It could be the greatest screenplay someone has ever read but because agents and producers are so busy and have to wade through so many scripts, they're eager to toss out any that don't follow the industry standard. Don't be your own worst enemy. Give yourself every chance to sell your story.

Things You'll Need

  • Computer
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Instructions

    • 1

      Keep your script to approximately 110 pages once it is correctly formatted. Writing much more or much less will almost guarantee that your screenplay will be rejected.

    • 2

      Print on only one side of the page.

    • 3

      Include a front cover that is completely blank. You absolutely must not write on the cover.

    • 4

      Include a title page with the title of your script in quotation marks followed on separate lines by "by" and your name. Double space between lines.

    • 5

      Put all your contact info on the bottom right corner of the title page, including phone number, address and email address

    • 6

      Type up your screenplay using only Courier font in size 12. There are no exceptions. Violating this rule will help ensure that nobody reads past the first page.

    • 7

      Set the left margin at 1.5", the top and bottom margins at 1" and the right margin at 1.25".

    • 8

      Place the page number in the top right of every page.

    • 9

      Double space between scenes and single space between dialogue and descriptions.

Screen Writing

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