Scriptwriting Part II

In my last blog I posted a page from my first script for the video “Chilled” that showed the proper format scripts are supposed to follow. After you have the right template in order from here it’s pretty subjective and unique to each script, depending on how you want your project to go you can jump right into dialogue or set up more directions and shots. The name of the character who is speaking should be in all capitals, and next to their name or on the line underneath their name should be any stage emotions in parentheses (both next to and on the next line are correct) and the line beneath that should contain the dialogue. 

Another important thing to include is stage directions, these should be in a new line and be very specific down to hand placement from one shot to the next. Stage directions should be left aligned (unless given after the characters name in a dialogue) and in all capital letters.

With all of the lines of dialogue, camera directions and scene directions it is not difficult for a script to have a high number of pages,  so it’s important to also include page numbers. The page number should be at the top right hand corner of each page.  

Each script you write will be different, but it helps if you keep the template from one so you don’t have to change all of the settings in the word program you use each time you want to write a new script. Scripting is one of the most important parts and it’s also one of the most creative, so let the creative juices flow and start scripting!