Elements of Screenwriting

1 screenplay page = 1 minute of screen time. For this reason, each element of the screenplay has specific requirements regarding capitalization, margins, line spacing, etc. Fortunately, Screenwriter takes care of all these rules for you — ensuring that your script is in perfect industry standard format:

Scene Heading—at the beginning of a scene, tells when and where the scene takes place. Includes Int./Ext., Location, and Time-of-day. Scene numbers are not necessary in a spec script.

Action—shows what the characters are doing in the scene.

Shot—indicates a camera angle, usually putting emphasis on one thing.

Character Name—tells who’s talking.

Extension—used when the character speaking is offscreen or in voice-over.

Parenthetical—tells the actor how to play the dialogue. Clear writing should keep these to a minimum.

Dialogue—what the character says.

Transition—emphasizes a change of time or location. Use sparingly.

Act/Scene Info—in a TV script, end one act or scene and/or starts another. Usually with a page break.

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