Screenplay Format

It’s easy to feel intimidated by the thought of writing a screenplay with its many rules and formatting issues. Don’t let the properly formatted screenwriting elements scare you away from writing your first script. Since a familiarity with the basics of the craft is half the battle, here is a handy screenplay example and overview on how to write a screenplay to help you get up to speed on screenwriting fundamentals.

Within a few minutes, you’ll be ready to type FADE IN before you know it.

This website is awesome for help: Screenwriting.Info

Sample Screenplay Page

Quick Assignment: Using CELTX screenwriting software, write a scene that is 2-3 pages in length about an argument. This must include at least two characters and can be real (based on a argument you’ve had and/or seen) or can be completely fictional.

Remember to keep everything in the present tense and describe everything that is seen and heard by the audience.

It helps very much to find real screenplays and learn from them. Here are some of the best places to do that:

SIMPLY SCRIPTS    SCREENPLAYS ONLINE   IMSDB   DAILY SCRIPT   SCRIPT-O-RAMA

There are a few free screenwriting apps for your phones. Go look in your app store for the most current. Some that I know of are: Fade In Mobile and MyScreenPlays.