Formant & Layout (P1.3)

Film Scripts

  1. Title Page:
    • Includes the title of the script, the writer's name, and contact information.
  2. Font and Spacing:
    • Courier 12-point font.
    • One-inch margins all around.
    • Double-spaced.
  3. Structure:
    • Scene Heading (INT./EXT. LOCATION - DAY/NIGHT): Indicates the location and time of day.
    • Action: Describes the visual elements of the scene, always written in the present tense.
    • Character Name: Centred, in uppercase, indicating who is speaking.
    • Dialogue: Below the character name, in regular text.
    • Parentheticals: Brief instructions for actors, in parentheses, below the character name and before dialogue.
  4. Transitions:
    • Typically right-aligned (e.g., CUT TO:).

TV Scripts

  1. Title Page:
    • Similar to film scripts, with the addition of the episode title and episode number.
  2. Font and Spacing:
    • Courier 12-point font.
    • One-inch margins.
    • Double-spaced.
  3. Structure:
    • Act Breaks: TV scripts are divided into acts (Act One, Act Two, etc.).
    • Scene Headings: Same as film (INT./EXT. LOCATION - DAY/NIGHT).
    • Action: Description of the scene, written in the present tense.
    • Character Name: Centred, in uppercase.
    • Dialogue: Below the character name.
    • Parentheticals: Brief instructions for actors.

Radio Scripts

  1. Title Page:
    • Includes the title of the script, the writer's name, and contact information.
  2. Font and Spacing:
    • Courier 12-point font.
    • One-inch margins.
    • Double-spaced.
  3. Structure:
    • Scene Headings: Indicate the scene number and setting.
    • Narration/Description: Detailed descriptions of sound effects, music, and action.
    • Character Name: Uppercase and centred.
    • Dialogue: Below the character name.
    • Sound Effects (SFX): Clearly indicated, often in uppercase (e.g., SFX: DOOR SLAMS).

Video Game Scripts

  1. Title Page:
    • Includes the title of the game, the script title (if part of a series), and the writer's name.
  2. Font and Spacing:
    • Courier 12-point font.
    • One-inch margins.
    • Double-spaced.
  3. Structure:
    • Scene Headings: Indicate the environment and time of day.
    • Action: Descriptions of player actions, events, and environment.
    • Character Name: Uppercase, indicating who is speaking or acting.
    • Dialogue: Below the character name.
    • Parentheticals: Brief instructions for actors.
    • Choices/Branches: Clearly marked options for player choices and branching dialogue or actions.

Extensions are notes placed to the right of the Character name. They are often included in parenthesis. They denote how the character's voice will be heard by the audience. An OffScreen voice can be heard from a character out of the camera range, or from another room altogether. This can be shown on the script as O.S (off screen) or O.C (off camera). The other common extension is the use of a voice over. This is shown on a script as V.O. The V.O is the narrator, can reflect on something and/or describe something.

Meaning to include in brackets, a parenthetical remark is used to provide more information about how a character says or does something. Generally they are adverbs and they can be an attitude, verbal direction or action direction for the actor who is speaking the part. These must be short, to the point, descriptive, and only used if there is no other way to make this point. As a rule, use these as little as often. In a well-written script, actors should be able to work out how to perform without needing parentheticals most of the time.


Dialogue is a generic term name given for when anyone on screen speaks. Technically, a ‘dialogue’ should involve two people talking whereas ‘monologue’ is the term for one person talking. For the purposes of this guide, ‘dialogue’ refers to a any time a character who is physically present is speaking: a conversation between characters, when a character talks out loud to him/herself and also when a character is offscreen and only a voice is heard. (If you really want to specifically refer to two characters speaking, you could try the term ‘duologue.’) Dialogue should not be confused with a voice over, which is when the voice of someone who is not present in the scene is heard. Dialogue is diegetic sound whereas a voice over is non-diegetic.


Character names should be formatted in uppercase letters (all caps). The first time that a character is introduced give their age, if relevant, directly afterwards. A character’s name can also be a description (ANGRY MAN) or an occupation (TEACHER). Sometimes, you might have DETECTIVE #1 and then DETECTIVE #2 speaking if they are not important characters. If the name is given to indicate that the character is about to say something, type their name on a new line, ensure that it is centralised and type the dialogue underneath, now aligned to the left of the page.


The Action sets the scene, describes the setting, and allows you to introduce your characters and set the stage for your story. Ensure that you write in the present tense. Some exceptions may be made in some instances, but even scenes like flashbacks need to be written in the present tense. Also make sure that you write in the active voice (a door slams shut) and not the passive voice (a door is slammed shut).


Example 











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