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Page in a Screenplay
This page illustrates manuscript form for a page in a screenplay. All chapters should begin on a new page.
These manuscript sample pages are based on typewritten manuscripts, but they should serve as guide to settings in a word processor that will produce acceptable hard copy. Most of this formatting is not appropriate for files for electronic submissions.
The margins have been cut off so the page will be viewable on most text browsers. The inch measurements are from the left edge of the paper. In the scale, the | represents a margin setting and a ^ represents a tab. Comments and line numbers in braces, {}, do not appear in the manuscript.
Notice the extra wide left margin to allow for whatever method of binding is used. Unlike book and short story manuscripts, scripts usually are bound. If you set your tabs properly, you may be able to use a right-and-left indent feature of your word processor for speeches and actions accompanying speech. You may use the center feature for the speaker's name. Sometime dissolves and fades are specified at the bottom of a page, and you can use your right-justify feature for them. Note that part of a screenplay are generally single-spaced. The hope is that the screenplay will be produced, not printed. Since screenplays are usually bound in some manner, slug lines and page numbers near the top are not necessary.
Modern style seldom uses as many camera angles as are shown here for illustrative purposes. Instead, scenes are describe with capitalized mention of THINGS and EFFECTS that are important to the story. Each page of the screenplay should represent approximately one minute of screen time. Therefore the word processor should preserve the original pagination.
1" 2" 3" 4" 5" 6" 7"
000011111111112222222222333333333344444444445555555555666666666677777777788
678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234568981
--------------|---------^----^----^----------------------------------|-----
{Top edge of paper}
{01}
{02}
{03}
{04}
{05}
{06} 24
{07} FADE IN:
{08}
{09} INT. JEROME'S STUDY -- LATE AT NIGHT
{10}
{11} Jerome has been at his typewriter for many hours. His
{12} desk is piled with many open books, crumpled sheets of
{13} typing paper, and empty coffee cups. The ashtray is
{14} full to overflowing.
{15}
{16} Jerome rips a piece of typing paper out of his typewriter,
{17} crumples it and tosses it on the floor. He leans back
{18} in his chair and wipes his eyes.
{19}
{20} There is a gentle KNOCKING at the door.
{21}
{22} JEROME
{23} (wearily)
{24} What is it?
{25}
{26} MARY ANN (V.O.)
{27} I can't sleep. Do you want me to
{28} make you some more coffee.
{29}
{30} JEROME
{31} I don't think it will help.
{32}
{33} MARY ANN (V.O.)
{34} Can I come in?
{35}
{36} JEROME
{37} Hell, you might as well. You sure
{38} aren't interrupting any great work.
{39}
{40} JEROME'S POV -- THE DOOR OF HIS STUDY
{41}
{42} Mary Ann enters in a housecoat. She is dismayed by the
{43} state of the room, but she forces herself to smile.
{44}
{45} MARY ANN
{46} (forced cheerfulness)
{47} Why don't you take a break. Surely
{48} things will look better when you have
{49} had some sleep.
{50}
{51} REVERSE ANGLE
{52}
{52} Jerome pushes a stack of books off his desk.
{54}
{55} JEROME
{56} (angrily)
{57} No it won't. Things won't look better
{58} in the morning. You know they won't.
{59}
{60} BACK TO MARY ANN
{61}
{62}
{63}
{64}
{65}
{66}
{bottom edge of paper}
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