Without proper guidelines you will find that your story wanders from scene to scene. Make sure you, as the writer, always know where you are going in your story. You might want the movie viewer to be surprised at the end of your movie, but you don’t want to be stuck asking yourself "Where do I go from here?" Most movies follow a simple premise: Introduction, presentation of a problem, solving the problem and conclusion. This is a very basic format but these pieces could be placed in any order you want.

Every time you begin a new scene there are several things you should note in order for your reader picture the scene. The first and last thing in your scene description should be your scene number. These may change once the movie hits the editing room, but it’s good, but not always best, to have a basic flow from beginning to end when writing a script. The next piece of information will be a location set up, (usually either INT. = interior or EXT. = exterior) this will help when considering lighting for a scene. Then you should note the location name, (i.e. HOUSE, JUNGLE, BOAT DOCK, WINTER CABIN, etc.). Lastly you should give the time of day, (i.e. MORNING, NIGHT, MIDDAY, etc.).

For example:

The full scene introduction for scene 25, which is a night shot in a movie about a tactical submarine battle, might read like this:

25 EXT. U.S.S. ILLINOIS UPPER DECK NIGHT 25

An intro should be written in this format for every scene in your script.

Whenever a character is introduced for the first time in a script, the characters name should be capitalized and followed by a brief description. Most scriptwriters have an image of who is in their script. The more information you give about your character, the easier it will be to cast an actor to fit into the role. For example, Let’s say you have written a part for an aging submarine Captain. He is 45 years old and a consummate soldier but has seen one too many young seamen die. The character’s introduction might read like this:

As the camera slowly PANS DOWN we see CAPTAIN HARRIMAN, 45 tall and gaunt from too many missions under the sea, gray hair accents his jet-black hair and mustache. His uniform is meticulously neat.

All camera commands should be capitalized so that they stand out in the script. Some of the camera commands you might give are:

PAN: Horizontal swivel of a camera about a fixed axis.

FADE OUT: Screen fades to black

FADE IN: Screen fades from black

QUICK CUT: screen changes from one shot to another with no transition in between shots.

DISSOLVE: Transitional effect where one picture slowly fades out as the second fades in. The process which allows one shot to melt into another.

MATCHED DISSOLVE - Dissolve from one image to another that's similar in appearance or shot size.

POV: Point Of View. Shot perspective whereby the camera assumes subject's view.

O.S. (O.C.): Off Screen or Off Camera. An actor is speaking but is not in the shot

V.O.: Voice over. Narration accompanying picture, heard above background sound or music, without the narrator seen on camera.

There are any number of commands you might give, these are just a few of the most common ones.

Actor commands are usually placed with the text of the actor lines. For example:

CAPTAIN HARRIMAN (interrupting)

ADMIRAL HAYES (rising)

The single most important part of your screenplay is your dialog. A strong narrative story with weak dialog will really bring down your script. Remember when writing dialog it should read realistically. Don’t try to use flowery or highly technical language, (unless that what is what is specifically called for by your character). If your character is from the street of South Central L.A. he should have dialog that reflects that style. The same is true for a College English Professor from Harvard. The more you know your characters, the better you will be able to write their dialog and thereby strengthen their roles. As seen in the above examples, the name of the character speaking should be tabbed over two spaces and capitalized. The characters’ dialog should be tabbed over one space.

The rest of your script should fall under the category of "Main Body of Text". This will be where you describe what action is happening on screen. For example:

The Russian sub is shown firing from POV of the U.S. Sub. As the torpedo approaches the Illinois the sub abruptly banks right causing the Torpedo to miss by the slightest fraction.

This text should not be indented.

Well, what’s with all the security Jack? I hope you didn’t go

through all this just to show me the new sub I’m taking out to

sea.

I wish that were the case Captain. (beat) If you’re still looking

for a way out of the program, you’d better tell me now.

(with a sigh) Aw’right kid… Let’s do it, (beat) but if you’re wrong

about any of this, heaven help us all.

Be sure to Title, date and sign your original screenplay. There are several ways of getting your script to studios for approval but, be careful!! You want to make sure you take the proper precautions to protect your original work.

Good Luck writing the Great American Screenplay!