Blog
Short answers to the questions writers ask, with original screenplay examples.
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How to format dialogue in a screenplay
Screenplay dialogue commonly sits beneath the speaker’s capitalized name in a narrow column. Add a parenthetical only when needed, and leave quotation marks off the spoken words.
3 min
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How to Write Action Lines in a Screenplay
Describe movement, setting, and sound in short, present-tense paragraphs. Replace explanations of feelings with behavior, and keep details that help the reader picture what happens.
3 min
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How long is a screenplay? Page counts by format
Screenplay length depends on the format and submission guidelines. Use page counts to estimate running time, not to measure it.
2 min
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Screenplay margins, font, and page size
Common screenplay settings are conventions, not universal requirements. Use Courier and the standard margins below as your starting point, then check the recipient’s instructions.
2 min
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What is a slugline? Scene headings explained
Slugline and scene heading mean the same thing. This line gives the reader a scene’s setting and time before the action begins.
2 min
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OS vs V.O. screenplay: What's the difference?
Choose O.S. for an unseen speaker within the scene and V.O. for narration outside it. These are common conventions; phone voices vary between writers.
3 min