How to Format a Script in Forum Posts

[rnbrewer]

If I want to post a few pages from my script can I do without rewriting it?

[ScriptNurse]

A script for television (NOT shot on film) is in an audio/video format. There are many variations of this two-column format, depending on the network, studio or producer of the show. Usually the writer is provided the format to write with.

Most scripts to be shot on film (i.e. produced by a motion picture production company) is written in the standard "spec script" format, which is what you will mostly see on this website. It is a very standard format that has changed little in the last 80+ years.

[robinhood]

Dear Moderator

I dare say you will tell me that I should go back to the relevant module of of the scriptwritng course but could you tell me the difference between a tv script and one for the big cinematic screen please. I did not think there were many but it would be helpful to know what to look for and avoid in one yet use for another as I have to write for both and thereby what to look for.   I thought I would use one of the short stories I am reading on horror that would be brilliant for either Christmas or Halloween if I can get it off the ground.    [/color]

Regards

Fiona Johnston

[ScriptNurse]

This has been greatly expanded and I'm still working on it ... but it's better.

[uncle_al]

Great!

FADE IN:

EXT. DETROIT SKYLINE - NIGHT

The dramatically lit skyline of the city of Detroit is seen from a vantage point in the Detroit River.

EXT. RIVER - NIGHT

A small rowboat floats in the river, as the current flows toward Ohio.  AL, fifty and freezing, shivers in the boat while he aims a digital video camera at the buildings on shore.

AL

There's gotta be a better way to do this.

Al Bouchard

[ScriptNurse]

At long last, you can once again format posts to look like scripts. A special tag has been installed to allow you to turn on and turn off script style formatting.

Here's how it works:

(NOTE: All tags shown must have the space after [ and before ] removed so they'll work.)

START:	[ myscript ]
SCENE:	[ scene ] and [ /scene ] --OR-- [ sc ] and [ /sc ]
ACTION:	[ action ] and [ /action ] --OR-- [ ac ] and [ /ac]
CHARACTER NAMES:	[ char ] and [ /char ] --OR-- [ ch ] and [ /ch]
PARENTHETICALS:	[ paren ] and [ /paren ] --OR-- [ pa ] and [ /pa ]
DIALOGUE:	[ dialogue ] and [ /dialogue ] --OR-- [ di ] and [ /di ]
TRANSITION:	[ transition ] and [ /transition ] --OR-- [ tn ] and [ /tn ]
END:	[ /myscript ]

Here's how you enter it:

[ myscript ]
[ action ]FADE IN:[ /action ]
[ scene ]EXT. WHITE HOUSE - NIGHT[ /scene ]
[ action ]The great expanse of lawn, fountain and portico illuminated against the night sky. Strains of an ITALIAN ARIA are faint in the distance.[ /action ]
[ scene ]INT. STATE HALL - NIGHT[ /scene ]
[ action ]An older DIVA of the stage sings for the assembled dignitaries in the great hall, finishing the aria with a great crescendo and standing ovation of the guests.[ /action ]
[ action ]The PRESIDENT and FIRST LADY rise, applauding and beaming. The President steps forward to shake the woman's hand.[ /action ]
[ action ]He stops abruptly, squinting closely at her.[ /action ]
[ char ]PRESIDENT[ /char ][ paren ](seething)[ /paren ][ dialogue ]Why... you're a queen![ /dialogue ]
[ action ]The First Lady slaps the diva sharply.[ /action ]
[ transition ]CUT TO:[ /transition ]
[ /myscript ]

Here's how it looks:

FADE IN:

EXT. WHITE HOUSE - NIGHT

The great expanse of lawn, fountain and portico illuminated against the night sky. Strains of an ITALIAN ARIA are faint in the distance.

INT. STATE HALL - NIGHT

An older DIVA of the stage sings for the assembled dignitaries in the great hall and finishes with a great crescendo and standing ovation of the guests.

The PRESIDENT and FIRST LADY rise, applauding and beaming. The President steps forward to shake the woman's hand.

He stops abruptly, squinting closely at her.

PRESIDENT

(seething)

Why... you're a queen!

The First Lady slaps the diva sharply.

CUT TO:

That's all there is to it!