With the foundation of your story laid, you're ready to start writing your first scene. Because screenplays not only tell a story but also provide basic production information, correct formatting and presentation are important. Before heading to your computer, study some professional screenplays to get an idea of how they look.

The rules of formatting screenplays
The following are a few general guidelines for script formatting (the formatting suggestions listed below are based on US letter-sized 8.5 x 11 inch paper):

• To allow for three-hole punching, set left margin at 1.5 inches; right at 1 inch.
  
  
• Place page numbers in the upper right hand corner, 1 inch from right, ½ inch from top.
  
  
• Capitalize sluglines, scene setting indicators. "Interior" and "Exterior" are abbreviated INT. and EXT. Example INT. LIVING ROOM--DAY (note punctuation and spacing).
  
  
• Descriptive text is 60 characters, or six inches wide, flush left and single-spaced.
  
  
• Capitalize and center character names for dialogue.
  
  
• Place parentheticals, or "wrylies," one or two tabs to the left of the character name.
  (Parentheticals give extra information about how a line is to be delivered. Use sparingly.)
  
  
• Dialogue is indented and 35 characters, or 3.5 inches, wide.
  
  
• If descriptive text interrupts a character's dialogue, insert (cont'd) or (cont) to the right of the character's name, the second time the name appears.
  
  
• If a character is speaking off-screen, insert (O.S.) to the right of the character's name. If you want to indicate a voice-over, insert (V.O.) to the right of the name.
  
  
• Double-space between dialogue blocks and blocks of descriptive text.
  
  
• For the title page, center the title and your name in the middle of the page. Don't use quotation marks. Type your name and address in the lower right-hand corner.
  
  
• Copy your script on three-hole paper and bind with metal fasteners.

Setting up your own computer
Using the above margins and tabs, any word processing program can be set up to format a screenplay. Consult your software manual on how to create style sheets. You can also purchase screenwriting software that automatically formats as you type. Final Draft 6.0, Hollywood Screenwriter, Movie Magic Screenwriter 2000 and Scriptware are popular screenplay formatting programs.

Example
In this longer example from The Water Ghost, several script pages are presented to offer a good sense of screenplay format.

In this clip from the film The Water Ghost, several scenes quicken the pace towards Ling's moment of decision, where she must decide whether to attempt to free the Water Ghost.

Learning from others
Screenplays have become widely available and can be found in public and school libraries, bookstores and on the Internet. Many recent releases, as well as classic older films, have published versions of their screenplays. Sometimes a found script will be a continuity of a finished film, a last draft of a pre-production script or a shooting script. Each type of script is different. "Shooting scripts" will have production information intended for the director and other crew members. Continuities reproduce what actually ended up on the screen, in script format.

Early drafts of a script are the most useful for study purposes because they best reflect the writer's intentions. They tend to be fuller and richer than later scripts. Watching favorite movies with an eye to the story is also a good way to learn about screenwriting. Be a tough critic when you turn on the TV or go to the theater. Analyze why you liked or didn't like a movie or show. Were the characters unbelievable? Was the dialogue dumb? Was it too slow or predictable? What would you have done differently? Asking questions like these will help you to begin thinking critically and write better stories.

The finished product

	Discussion
	Does your dialogue sound realistic? Does your opening capture readers? Will your idea translate to the screen? {Dis: Use the help of other members of this seminar to help you finish your screenplay.}

Once you have your first draft screenplay in hand, share it with others. Take a writing class or join a writing group. If possible, recruit actors or friends to read your script out loud. Hearing your dialogue, even when uttered by amateurs, is an excellent way to identify strengths and weaknesses in your script.

In order to rewrite effectively, you must be open to criticism and suggestions. The most useful comments are those that echo feelings you already have about your story. Look for a consensus of opinion. Before rewriting, go back to your outline and remind yourself why you began writing in the first place. Trust your instincts, but be prepared to do several more drafts before typing your last 'The End.'