Screenwriting Blog
Posted on by Victoria Lucia

Script Writing Examples for Almost Every Part of a Traditional Screenplay

Script Writing Examples for Almost Every Part of a Traditional Screenplay

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!

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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 left-hand corner. It should look like the image to the left.

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.

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.

I hope these script writing examples give you the tools you need to get started. Happy writing!

Victoria Lucia, Screenwriter and Digital Content Creator
Victoria Lucia Screenwriter and Digital Content Creatorvictorianlucia.com

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