Once you have composed your outline, you can begin writing your script.
Break the story up into scenes, and ensure each scene has some sort of action to move the story along. This will provide greater room for narrative intensity and audience engagement.
Make sure the script tells the story visually. Write about what the audience will hear as well as see.
Develop the conflict in one main incident. If the film is less than 5 minutes, one type of conflict may be sufficient, otherwise it may be more complex.
When scripting dialogue, know what you want your characters to say and why they are saying it.
Consider alternatives to dialogue such as voiceover, actions or gestures to convey emotions or ideas.
Use the minimum number of characters and locations it takes to tell the story. Keep it simple.
Proofread your script: check for grammar and spelling errors.
Scripts are typed on only one side of the paper in 10-12 point courier font.
Double spacing between lines – below both directions and speeches allows you to read the script more easily.
Leave good borders around the script.
Pages need to be numbered - top right or bottom middle
SCENE: screenplays (scripts) are divided into scenes. A scene can be defined as a unit of dramatic action which takes place in a specific location in continuous time.
SLUGLINE: The ‘slugline’ or scene heading (set in capitals) tells us whether the scene is inside or outside, where it is and whether it’s day or night.
EXT. MARTHA’S HOUSE. NIGHT:
INT. JACK’S CAR. HIGH STREET. DAY.
SCENE DIRECTION: Always written in the present tense, this contains descriptions of the characters’ actions and events relevant to the story. Characters’ names are capitalized when first introduced.
JASON turns to face LISA who is sobbing.
Jason slowly but gently wipes the tears
streaming down Lisa’s face.
CHARACTER CUE: The name of the character who speaks. Always capitalized and centered above their speech.
DIALOGUE: What the characters say. Camera shots and angles should not appear in the screenplay.
JASON
Why are you crying?
ACTOR DIRECTION: In brackets under the character’s name, used to describe the way, or to whom, they speak.
JASON
(screams)
Why are you crying?
OFF SCREEN (OS): When a character is part of a scene but not seen on-screen at the time, write (OS) to the right of the character’s name.
BEAT: The word ‘beat’ is used to indicate a pause in a character’s speech or dialogue, meaning that the actor is required to pause before they deliver their next line. For example:
LISA (beat)
I’ve had enough of this!
FLASHBACKS or FLASH-FORWARDS: Flashbacks or flash-forwards in time can be indicated in the slugline.
INT. CLASSROOM. DAY. FLASHBACK
Scene 1 INT. SAMMY’S ROOM. DAY – Slug line
ALAN enters surreptitiously. He hunts through the papers and magazines on the desk. – Scene direction
ALAN – Character cue
(under his breath) – Actor direction
Now where have you put it? – Dialogue
Scene 2 INT. ZELNER’S OFFICE. DAY – Slug line
ZELNER is reading. Occasionally he looks up and SAMMY meets his gaze nervously. – Scene direction
ZELNER – Character cue
I can’t believe you’ve brought this to me. – Dialogue
Scene 3 EXT. MOTORWAY. DAY – Slug line
ALAN’S car speeds erratically through heavy traffic. Gradually the lanes seize up. – Scene direction
Scene 4 INT. ALAN’S CAR. DAY – Slug line
ALAN – Character cue
Come on! Come on! – Dialogue
Scene 5 INT. ZELNER’S OFFICE. DAY – Slug line
SAMMY shifts nervously in his chair. A bead of sweat forms and runs down his cheek. – Scene direction
ZELNER – Character cue
This is…terrific. It’s the best thing you’ve ever done. – Dialogue