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How to Format a TV Movie Script

Even if you have the next great idea for a screenplay, you're not guaranteed to get anything made, let alone get paid for your idea. While TV movies are now common with the proliferation of cable channels, the key to selling your movie script is to format it exactly the way that agents and producers want it to be formatted. Doing it any other way will all but guarantee your rejection.

Instructions

    • 1

      Include a title page with the name of your movie in quotation marks, followed by a double space and your name. All of this should be typed in caps.

    • 2

      Divide your TV movie into roughly seven acts. The first act is usually the longest. Every new act should begin on its own page.

    • 3

      Keep your script length to about 100 pages for a 2-hour movie. Every page should translate to roughly 1 minute of airtime.

    • 4

      Keep descriptions single-spaced and capitalized. Keep these brief and to the point. Don't waste words.

    • 5

      Use "INT." and "EXT." when switching locations inside and outside respectively. For example: INT: BEDROOMorEXT: BEACH

    • 6

      Begin the very first scene with "FADE IN:" and end the very last page with "FADE OUT."

    • 7

      Center the name of the character speaking, and double-space dialogue.

    • 8

      Type in Courier, size 12 font--no exceptions.

    • 9

      Set your margins to the following:Top and bottom margins: 1 inchLeft margin: 1.5 inchesRight margin: 1.25 inches

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Screen Writing

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