Professional Documents
Culture Documents
THE PAGE
Typeface: Courier font, 10 characters per inch.
Avoid distracting, exotic typefaces. They scream
"amateur" to industry pros.
TABS and "zones" in Pica (10 CPI) columns (COL'S):
MARGINS @ COL'S 15 (1 1/2 inches from left edge of paper)
and 73 (7 3/10 inches from left edge of paper).
ACTION SLUGS between main margins, blank lines before and
after.
DIALOGUE fits between COL'S 25 (2 1/2 inches) and 58 (5
8/10 inches), single-spacing within Dialogue.
PERSONAL DIRECTION @ COL 30 (3 inches), single-spacing.
CHARACTER NAME @ COL 35 (3 1/2 inches), single-spacing
between Name, Direction & Dialogue.
PAGE NUMBER on line 3 of Header @ COL 75 (7 1/2 inches).
BODY of script from line 7 to line 60.
SCENE TRANSITIONS @ COL 60 (6 inches).
2. Begin your script with "FADE IN:", end with "FADE OUT",
and never use scene numbers or "CONTINUED" at top or
bottom of each page.
3. When breaking up dialogue across two pages, use
"(MORE)" (typed @ Character Name TAB, COL 35) at the
bottom of the page and "(CONT'D)" to right of Character
Name at top of next page.
4. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SLUGS are preceded and followed
by a blank line.
A. PRIMARY or LOCATION SLUGS: Typed at the left margin
and in ALL CAPS. For example, the included script page
has the transition "CUT TO:" and is followed by "INT. THE
BELLS' PANTRY - DAY." The basic format is: Interior
(INT.)/Exterior (EXT.), Camera Angle/Distance, Scene
Location, and Time of Day.
B. SECONDARY SLUGS: These indicate either cut to new
character or camera angle for emphasis in new scene, or a
restaging shot of the same group of characters. For
example: "ANGLE ON WOLF PACK." You can follow this up
with an action as if it is one, continuous sentence:
"ON THAYER