Screenplay Format

The following excerpt uses conventional feature film formatting. You'll often find variations that constitute stylistic choices, but things like margins should not vary from the standard. Format that deviates too far from the norm will only distract a seasoned script reader from the all-important content and identify you as an amateur before the reader gets a chance to get through the first few pages. Lest you think your creativity is being stifled by not being able to utilize formatting as an expressive tool, remember that the script is solely a written representation of a visual medium--an audience will not see your scene description of a drugged character in offset, multicolored font.

Show formatting notes

INT. RESTAURANT. NIGHT. Nick is seated at a table across from STACEY MACADAMS (32), a professional type wearing a polyester-blend suit, tortoise shell glasses and hair worn up. They examine menus. STACEY ...So he gets us into the room after we put the last issue to bed and proceeds to tell us we're changing focus. NICK I thought the article on unmeltable ice cream was interesting. STACEY He called it "pandering to the masses". We're focusing on primary research from now on. NICK You mean research that has no practical purpose? STACEY Yet. Today's useless information becomes tomorrow's killer application. You took some boring old motion sensor and voice-recog technology and gave it life as the award winning "Marline Automated House Manager"... (proudly) ...and we are going to be the premiere source of today's boring and useless information... (reading the menu) ...Oh God! They've added a children's menu. There goes another perfectly good restaurant. NICK (lightly) Yep. Before you know it, it's plastic utensils with dull edges and that butt repellent vinyl upholstery. Stacey gives him a humorless glare. The WAITER approaches somewhat nervously.