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Pages: 0
Words: 0
Scenes: 0
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Professional Screenplay Formatting Guide
Scene Heading
INT./EXT. LOCATION - TIME
Action
Describe what happens in the scene
Character Names
CHARACTER NAME in caps
Dialogue
Character's spoken words
How to Format Your Screenplay Like a Professional
Did you know that 90% of rejected screenplays have improper formatting? Don't let your brilliant story get rejected because of formatting issues. Learn the industry standards and use our professional screenplay formatter to make your script shine.
Essential Screenplay Formatting Rules
| Element | Format | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Scene Heading | ALL CAPS, left aligned | INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY |
| Action | Left aligned, single-spaced | John enters the room, looking nervous. |
| Character Name | ALL CAPS, centered | JOHN SMITH |
| Parenthetical | Centered, in parentheses | (whispering) |
| Dialogue | Centered, below character | I've been waiting for this moment. |
| Transitions | ALL CAPS, right aligned | CUT TO: |
Step-by-Step Guide to Script Formatting
1. Scene Headings
Start with INT. or EXT. to indicate interior or exterior locations. Add time of day. Always use CAPS.
2. Action Lines
Describe what's happening in present tense. Be concise and visual.
3. Character Names
Introduce characters in CAPS. Use character extensions like (V.O.) or (O.S.) when needed.
4. Dialogue
Keep it natural and avoid long monologues. Use parentheticals sparingly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What font should I use for my screenplay?
Industry standard is 12-point Courier or Courier New. Our formatter automatically handles this for you.
How many pages should my screenplay be?
Feature films typically run 90-120 pages, with each page representing approximately one minute of screen time.
Do I need special software to format my screenplay?
No! Our online screenplay formatter gives you professional results right in your browser, for free.
Can I save my formatted screenplay?
Yes! You can download your formatted screenplay as a text file, and we automatically save your work in progress.
What Our Users Say
"This formatter saved me hours of work. My script got noticed by a producer who specifically commented on its professional formatting!"
"As a beginner, I was overwhelmed by screenplay formatting rules. This tool made it so simple!"
"The best free screenplay formatter I've found. Clean, professional output every time."
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