When you first start screenwriting, you’re eager to go! You’ve got a great idea, and you can’t wait to type it up. In the beginning, it can be hard to get the hang of how different aspects of a traditional screenplay should look. So, here are five script writing examples for key parts of a traditional screenplay!
SoCreate Subscriptions Coming Soon!
Beta trials are full, but you can sign up to be notified once our subscription service begins.
Traditional and Industry Standard Screenplay Elements (and Sample Scripts)
First, a Note on Shooting Scripts vs. Spec Scripts
A shooting script will have different elements than those listed below for a traditional spec script. The shooting script it meant for the director and cinematographer. A shooting script is a finalized version of a screenplay that's used in production, so you'll often see things like scene numbers and various colors of pages that indicate revisions and revision numbers. You'll also find camera angles, special effects, stunt and action sequences, details on sets and lighting, and sometimes even notes on acting.
But in most cases, you will be writing the spec screenplay, which means you're writing a screenplay with the hope of selling it, though no one has asked you to do so. Spec scripts also have specific elements, most of which we've outlined below.
ALL screenplays should be written in 12-point Courier font because with this format, a page of properly formatted text should be equal to about one minute of screen time.
Screenplay Title Page
Your title page should have as minimal info as possible. You don't want it to look too cluttered. You should be sure to include the TITLE (in all caps), followed by “Written by” on the next line, followed by the writer's name below that, and contact info on the lower right or left-hand corner (we've seen it done both ways). It should look like the image to the right.
You can also include a date (right margin, opposite contact info), or a draft number, but again, I'd caution you to try to keep the title page as sleek as possible.
A properly formatted title page should have margins set to the following and be single-spaced:
Left margin: 1.5"
Right margin: 1.0"
Top and Bottom margins: 1.0"
Screenplay title pages should include:
The title of your screenplay written in all capital letters, centered horizontally on the page, starting about a quarter to a third of the way down from the top 1.0" margin
A by-line, about two line spaces down from your title, beginning with "by" or "written by"
Author(s) name
Contact information in the bottom right or left corner of your title page, including your name, email address, and if necessary, mailing address and phone number
Scene Heading
Also known as a slug line, it should tell the reader whether the scene is happening inside (Interior written as INT.) or outside (Exterior written as EXT.), the location, and whether it’s day or night. It’s as simple as:
Script Snippet - Scene Heading Example
INT. INSURANCE OFFICE – DAY
Action Description
Action is a description of what is being viewed in the scene. Action lines should be written in the present tense and be as visually descriptive as possible.
Script Snippet - Action Description Example
INT. INSURANCE OFFICE – DAY
Jessica stares as she turns to see her secretary, KAREN, looking at her expectantly. Karen fidgets, holding a large folder of paperwork in front of her.
Dialogue
Dialogue is pretty straightforward. It’s what your characters say. Character names should be in all caps, and the dialogue should go beneath it.
Script Snippet - Dialogue Example
KAREN
Jess, are you okay? I’ve been calling your name for like five minutes.
JESSICA
Yeah, fine. Just I dunno, distracted. Daydreaming, I guess.
KAREN
Bet whatever you were daydreaming about was a lot more interesting than these reports Scotty needs you to sign off on.
Jessica nods, rubbing her forehead as a headache starts to come on.
JESSICA
Right, you can just set those down anywhere.
Karen places the reports on the edge of the desk before turning to leave.
Flashback
You can easily format a flashback by using a slugline and writing “BEGIN FLASHBACK:” and then when the flashback is over, throw in another slugline that says “END FLASHBACK.”
Script Snippet - Flashback Example
BEGIN FLASHBACK:
EXT. CARNIVAL – DAY
10-year-old Jessica sits stuck at the top of the Ferris wheel. She searches the crowd below, looking for her mom.
JESSICA
Mommy! Mommy!
She looks and looks, before finally ...
WOMAN'S VOICE (O.S.)
Jessica.
END FLASHBACK.
Passage of Time
If you want to convey that a certain amount of time has passed for your characters or the setting in your script, simply add the time that has passed to the end of your scene heading in the next scene. For example:
Script Snippet - Passage of Time
INT. DELI - DAYS LATER
INT. DELI - HOURS LATER
INT. DELI - TWO YEARS LATER
Some writers choose to omit the location if the scenes are back to back, using only "LATER" or "2 DAYS LATER" as their scene heading. Time of day can also be used to show time passing, as in "SANTA'S WORKSHOP - MORNING," and "SANTA'S WORKSHOP - DUSK."
I hope these script writing examples give you the tools you need to get started. Happy writing!