Screenwriting Investigation

I thought about it and realized I didn't know how to set up a proper script, so I decided I'd go ahead and investigate. This blog post will be a bit more sloppy and disorganized since it is moreso for me and something I can go to to read and get help for creating my script. I will also only be using one site for this.

Script Language and Where To Use It

First Page of the Screenplay: "The top, bottom and right margins of a screenplay are 1". The left margin is 1.5". The extra half-inch of white space to the left of a script page allows for binding with brads, yet still imparts a feeling of vertical balance of the text on the page. The entire document should be single-spaced.

The very first item on the first page should be the words FADE IN:. Note: the first page is never numbered. Subsequent page numbers appear in the upper right hand corner, 0.5" from the top of the page, flush right to the margin."

Screenplay Elements:
Scene Heading: Indent- Left 0"; Right 0"; Width 6". One line description of the setting for the scene as well as the time of day for the scene. 
Example- INT. Office Building - NIGHT
Subheader: Indent- Left 0"; Right 0"; Width 6". Should be used sparingly and is generally only used when a new scene heading is not needed but there is a change in action.
Example- With a series of quick cuts between two locations, would use term INTERCUT (example given by website).
Action: Indent- Left 0"; Right 0"; Width 6". Description of the events occurring in a scene. Recommended to keep in mind that only things that can be seen and/or heard should be included in action.
Character: Indent- Left 2"; Right 0"; Width 4". Characters name is always capitalized and listed above their lines of dialogue. Minor characters can be listed without names.
Examples- Normal: JERRY, MERYL; Minor: SHOE SHINER, PRISONER #1, SOLDIER #6
Dialogue: Indent- Left 1"; Right 1.5"; Width 2.5". Lines of speech the character is saying, whether seen or head through voice overs.
Parenthetical: Indent- Left 1.5"; Right 2"; Width 2.5". This is direction for how the characters attitude or action should be throughout the scene. Used rarely since it is more or less the directors job to choreograph how an actor acts during a scene.
Extension: Abbreviated technical note placed after the characters name in parenthesis to display how they will be speaking off screen.
Example- JERRY (V.O)
Transition: Indent- Left 4"; Right 0"; Width 2". Film editing instructions (normally only appear in a shooting script).
Examples- CUT TO:/DISSOLVE TO:/SMASH CUT:/QUICK CUT:/FADE TO:
Shot: Left 0"; Right 0"; Width 6". Showing that the focal point of the scene has changed (normally only appear in a shooting script).
Examples- ANGLE ON --/ EXTREME CLOSE UP --/ PAN TO --/ FADE TO --

Bibliography

Moreno, Mario O., and Kay Tuxford. “How to Write a Screenplay: Script Writing Example &
Screenwriting Tips.” How to Write a Screenplay: Script Writing Example & Screenwriting Tips,
www.writersstore.com/how-to-write-a-screenplay-a-guide-to-scriptwriting/.

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