BASIC SCREENWRITING FORMATTING GUIDELINES For Screenplays

Prepared by Diem Judilla SineBuano 2012

These formatting guidelines must be applied on screenplays (both short and full-length). PAPER SIZE & MARGINS Short Bond (8 " by 11") or A4 size, color: White Margins: 1" all sides FONT TYPE Font: Courier New, size: 12pt, color: Black Alternative, Font: Courier, size: 12 pt, color: Black PARAGRAPH No indents, Left-align, Single-space. PAGE NUMBERS To be set in the document's header; Right align. LANGUAGE English can be used primarily for action descriptions, but it is recommended to write dialogue with native languages: Cebuano and Filipino. (i.e., titles, dialogue should be in Cebuano/Filipino with English translations) EMPHASIS For emphasis on specific objects or introducing characters, please use either ALL CAPS or SMALL CAPS. Alternative: Underline, especially in dialogue

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TITLE PAGE The Title Page and related text are set in the cover page. There should be no page number. The title of the screenplay should be placed in the middle of the page (at 4" vertical margin), indented 2"-3" from the left margin. The title should be set in ALL CAPS (with underline, optional). To be followed by references/acknowledgements to original material (if any). The screenwriter's name and contact information should be placed lower left corner of the title page, not in the footer of the document. ELEMENTS OF A SCREENPLAY & THEIR FORMATS. SCENE HEADINGS Indicates whether the scene occurs INSIDE (INT) or OUTSIDE (EXT). Left-align, ALL CAPS, underline: optional. Examples: INT APARTMENT NIGHT EXT. THE PARK - DAY

ACTION LINES/PARAGRAPHS Left-align, Sentence case, Single space. Note: When introducing new characters, ALL CAPS the Character's name, followed by a short description in parenthesis. CHARACTER HEADING Precedes the Character's dialogue. Left-align, indented 2.5" from left margin. ALL CAPS, BOLD.

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PARENTHETICALS Follows the Character heading, on the same line. (V.O.) The abbreviation for 'voice over.' It implies a narrator, separate from the scene action. (O.S.) The abbreviation for 'off screen.' This is dialogue sound is coming from a source that is in the scene, but out of camera view/frame. (cont'd) A particular parenthetical, used if a speech has been interrupted by description or a page break. (filtered) A particular parenthetical, used when the dialog is coming from a phone, over a radio, or any electronic device that alter/modify the vocals. Parenthetical examples: CARRIE (V.O.) I hope no one can hear my mind... MAN (O.S) Hey you, over here... DIALOGUE TEXT Follows after the Character's dialogue. Left-align, indented 1.5" from left margin, indented 1" from right margin. Single space. NOTE: Regarding translations of dialogue in native language, the English translation should follow in the next line after, enclosed in parenthesis. Examples: CARRIE Maayong buntag sa tanan. (Good morning to all.) MAN Pindutin mo ito, tapos lalabas ang pera. Kunin mo. (Just press this, then the money comes out. Get the money.)

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TRANSITIONS Ends a particular scene or portion of a scene, and leads to another scene. Right-align, ALL CAPS. CUT TO: Can be used between every scene, between major sequences, or sporadically whenever it's appropriate to the rhythm of the script, or not at all. DISSOLVE TO: Implies the passage of time. SLOW DISSOLVE TO: implies the passage of lots of time. FADE IN/FADE OUT. Used to start and end the script. They can also be used at any point in the screenplay, to delineate major sections of the film.

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