The screenplay format is arranged so that one screenplay page translates to roughly one minute of screen time. This can vary depending on the writing style and how much action or dialogue is in the script (dialogue tends to translate to a shorter run time than does action). The average length of a screenplay is 90-120 pages with dialogue-driven scripts generally being on the longer end, even though their run time may end up being the same or shorter than action.
As a writer, it is your job to convey your story ideas, characters and images rather than explain how the film will be shot. Camera angles and transitions (for the most part) should be left up to the director.
A Note about Formatting
It is important that your screenplay follows the generally accepted format. However, don't worry about the minutia ("Should I use CONT'Ds after character names or not?", "Will my script be thrown away if there are MOREs on the bottom when dialogue breaks across the page?", etc.). A script would more likely to be passed up because of bad writing than because of the use or non-use of CONT'Ds after the character names.
Remember, you can always configure the formatting to your personal writing style. See Customizing Screenwriter > Script Format Options.
Title Page
The title (cover) page of a screenplay typically uses Courier (or Courier New) 12pt. The title of the screenplay, the "Written by" line and the author's name should be centered vertically and horizontally on the page, as well as double-spaced.
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The title is usually in ALL CAPS. It can be enclosed in quotes, underlined or bolded if desired, but it is not necessary. |
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The next line can say "An original screenplay by", "Written by" or "by". |
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The author's name should be in Initial Caps. |
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The contact information is generally in the lower left corner, single-spaced and left justified. |
FADE IN:
A screenplay typically begins with the line FADE IN: which is in ALL CAPS and flush with the left margin.
Margins
Screenplays should have a top and bottom margin of 1.0", although the bottom margin will vary from page-to-page because of the specific page breaking rules (handled automatically by Screenwriter). The left and right margins are specific to each element and are also handled automatically by the program.
Font
As of this writing, the industry standard font for screenplays is Courier 12 pt. This includes any form of Courier, such as Courier New, since it is a mono-spaced font and takes up 10 characters per inch on the page when at 12 pt. Do not use a proportional font like Times New Roman or Arial.
Header/Footer
A spec script should only have the page number followed by a period in the upper right corner of each page (except page one). Screenplays do not use a footer.
Line Spacing
Elements are separated by one blank line (double-spaced) with the exception being a Character Name/Parenthetical/Dialogue group which is single-spaced.
Page Breaks
Certain elements should never appear by themselves at the bottom of the page, such as Scene Headings and Shots. Screenwriter automatically handles proper page breaking (including MOREs and CONT'Ds for dialogue) so you, as a writer, do not have to think about it as you are trying to get your ideas onto the page.
