Screenplay Elements / Formatting

Question 1

Spec Script (Speculative Screenplay)

Answer 1

A screenplay often written in hope of being sold to a prospective buyer. Preferably doesn’t include much technical description such as transitions and shots. (Courier 12pt., 1” LR Margins)

Question 2

Shooting Script (Production Screenplay)

Answer 2

Created for film production, this version of a screenplay will include some degree of technical instructions (notes, shots, transitions, scene numbers). Revisions will be color coded so that they can be ordered for shooting to optimize resource efficiency. (Courier 12pt., 1” LR Margins)

Question 3

Title Page

Answer 3

Title (Center, CAPS). Double Space. “By” (Center). Double Space. Author name(s) (separated by “,” or “&”). Contact information (Bottom left corner).

Question 7

Fade In

Answer 7

The first words of a screenplay are “fade in” followed by a colon (CAPS).

Question 8

Scene Heading

Answer 8

A one line description of the setting location and time (CAPS).

Question 9

Action

Answer 9

The narrative description of the events of a scene.

Question 10

Character’s First Appearance

Answer 10

A concise description of the character (Name CAPS).

Question 11

Character Dialogue

Answer 11

Lines of speech for each character (Center). Above each character’s dialogue appear their name (Center, name CAPS).

Question 12

Sub Header

Answer 12

Description of setting that does not include time of day, and takes place within the setting described by the preceding Scene Heading.

Question 13

Intercut

Answer 13

Instructions for a series of quick cuts between two scene locations (CAPS).

Question 15

Page Number

Answer 15

Digit number followed by a period (Right, .5 from top)

Question 16

More and Continued

Answer 16

“More” is used in the bottom line, in parentheses, to indicate a continuation of dialogue or description (Center, CAPS). “Continued” is used as an Extension to indicate that a character’s dialogue continues from the last page.

Question 19

Shot

Answer 19

Tells when the focal point of a scene has changed. More appropriate for production screenplays.

Question 21

Parenthetical

Answer 21

Action or attitude direction for a character. Includes specific instructions for off camera dialogue, actor mood, etc. (Indented). More appropriate for production screenplays.

Question 22

Extension

Answer 22

A note, in parentheses, placed after the character name to indicate how the voice will be heard onscreen (CAPS, shorthand).

Question 25

Transition

Answer 25

Film editing instructions in between scenes (Right, CAPS). More appropriate for production screenplays.