Screenwriting : Formatting Question by Riley Blankenship

Riley Blankenship Hi, Riley. Thanks for sharing this. For me, the way this is formatted makes it difficult to read.

The Scene Description in UPPERCASE is very off-putting. It needs to be in lowercase and the characters in CAPS.

The dialogue in double space should be in single space.

It’s off-putting to have to read a document formatted this way and I’m not sure why someone would tell you that it’s industry standard, but I’m not a comedy writer. Maybe it’s a thing. Maybe though, it’s not. You don’t want to put a hurdle in front of the reader because of the formatting, you want them to engage with the story first and foremost.

Our eyes are educated on how to read things, we expect to have a certain way of reading, yes, a screenplay in a particular format.

How I worked around these issues was to download a software program with all the formatting in it - for spacing, etc. As for when to use caps, it was suggested - sparingly. When a character is first introduced the name is in caps, but not the description. Best to get reading some how-too articles. Many here and elsewhere.

Hi Riley, I use a software program and I bought a book on formatting and took online courses. Take the feedback as part of the learning chapter of the business.

Hi, Riley Blankenship. I agree with Geoff Hall.

I think your second action paragraph is too long. I suggest keeping your action paragraphs to 1-3 sentences. It's easier to read shorter paragraphs.

I also think your dialogue needs to be closer together (there's too much space between the lines).

"(VO)" should go beside a character's name as "(V.O.)" or "(VO)"

I'm not sure what the "(Cory)" under the scene heading is for.

Here's an article I found about writing multi-cam vs. single-cam sitcoms. According to this I am doing it correctly: https://www.wescreenplay.com/blog/single-cam-vs-multi-cam-formatting-and-style-differences/

I also keep receiving mixed messages about where the (VO) and (OS) go, because I was putting it next to a character's name but then someone told me that was incorrect. I don't know, but according to what I've found my formatting is correct for a Multi-cam script

I've seen writers put "(VO)" under a character's name, Riley Blankenship, so you don't have to put it beside a character's name (it's not a rule), but it saves space if you do.

I can't figure out how to link the article. Sorry

Hi Riley Blankenship there are some differences in formatting scripts between - for example - feature films, sitcoms and plays. In 'Dramatic Story Structure' by Edward J. Fink there is a nice overview on the differences.

I was able to open the link, Riley Blankenship.

My advice. Research, download, and install script writing software which many have templates for TV scripts, if you haven't already. Then find, download and read several scripts that are most similar to your story. Use these as a guide for following style and pacing.

There are two main types of scripts, speculative (or spec) and production (or shooting). Spec scripts do not have a lot of text formatting such as bolding and underlining and do not include certain elements like line or scene numbers, blocking, or camera angles for example. You want to find spec scripts to model your script after.

Many new writers find shooting scripts and model their screenplays after them, then have an issue with feedback about formatting. I've had to explain this many times. Specs are just to get the story out. Shootings are for AFTER its sold and some production company is trying to make it into a movie.

I ran into something similar at one point. Ultimately, I went to Fiverr. You can find script editors there for the price of tickets to a movie (OK, two tickets). It's worth it.

I've seen script styles on the WGA blog that are multi-cam and they are formatted more like this. I think some of the feedback you're getting is probably happening because multi-cam is not the prevailing style of show currently, so readers may not be familiar with the script style. I do recommend visiting the WGA website and looking through their blog. They include information on formatting for a variety of existing shows, so that might further help you prove if you're formatted correctly (bearing in mind every show is a little bit different). I haven't yet submitted to a reader, but is there any way to let them know up front that this is multi-cam and, therefore, formatted differently than what they may be more accustomed to?

Screen Craft has a good break down of how T.V. scripts should look. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&u...

That’s a great article, Tim and Riley please note the lack of Uppercase letters in the first example. It looks tidier and easier on the eye to read, which is the end result of all your hard work.

Hi Riley - Stage 32 is bringing in a top comedy writer to teach a class on this very subject. Meghan Pleticha has written on comedies like “Silicon Valley” and brings a wealth of expertise to her class on formatting your comedy pilot. Here is a link so you can see how Meghan has designed her class and where you can register: https://www.stage32.com/classes/Structuring-Your-30-Minute-Pilot-Your-A-...

@SamSakolow nice add, Sam.