Editing Screenplay (section)

== Format and style ==
[[File:Screenplay example.svg|right|thumb|455x455px|Page from a screenplay, showing dialogue and action descriptions, as well as scene cuts]]
The format is structured so that (as a [[ballpark estimate]]) ''one page'' equates to roughly ''one minute'' of screen time, though this often bears little resemblance to the runtime of the final production.<ref>{{Cite web |title=How accurate is the page-per-minute rule? |url=https://johnaugust.com/2006/how-accurate-is-the-page-per-minute-rule |last=August |first=John |date=2006-03-22 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111014122316/https://johnaugust.com/2006/how-accurate-is-the-page-per-minute-rule |archive-date=2011-10-14 |access-date=2024-11-16 |website=johnaugust.com |author-link=John August}}</ref> The standard font is [[Point (font)|12 point]], [[Pitch (typewriter)|10 pitch]] [[Courier (typeface)|Courier]] [[typeface]].<ref>[http://johnaugust.com/2007/hollywood-standard JohnAugust.com "Hollywood Standard Formatting"]</ref> Wide [[Margin (typography)|margins]] of at least one inch are employed (usually larger for the left to accommodate [[hole punch]]es).

The major components are action (sometimes called "screen direction") and [[dialogue]]. The action is written in the [[present tense]] and is limited to what can be heard or seen by the audience, for example descriptions of settings, character movements, or sound effects. The dialogue is the words the characters speak, and is written in a center column.

Unique to the screenplay (as opposed to a [[stage play]]) is the use of ''slug lines''. A ''slug line'', also called a ''master scene heading'', occurs at the start of each scene and typically contains three pieces of information: whether the scene is set inside or outside (INT. or EXT.; interior or exterior), the specific location, and the time of day. Each slug line begins a new scene. In a "[[shooting script]]" the slug lines are numbered consecutively for ease of reference.<ref>{{cite news |title=HOLLYWOOD USAGE Experts Analyze the Pros and Cons Of Time-Tested 'Master' Scene|work=[[The New York Times]]|author=Schumach, Murray|date=August 28, 1960|accessdate=April 6, 2021| url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1960/08/28/99952075.html?pageNumber=445}}</ref>

===Physical format===

==== US ====
American screenplays are printed single-sided on three-hole-punched paper using the standard American [[letter (paper size)|letter size]] ({{convert |8.5 |× |11 |in |mm |abbr=on |disp=semicolon}}). They are then held together with two [[Brass fastener|brass brads]] in the top and bottom hole. The middle hole is left empty as it would otherwise make it harder to quickly read the script.

==== UK ====
In the United Kingdom, double-hole-punched [[A4 paper size|A4]] paper is normally used, which is slightly taller and narrower ({{convert|210|×|297|mm|in|abbr=on|disp=semicolon}}) than US letter size. Some UK writers format the scripts for use in the US letter size, especially when their scripts are to be read by American producers since the pages would otherwise be cropped when printed on US paper. Because each country's standard paper size is difficult to obtain in the other country, British writers often send an electronic copy to American producers, or crop the A4 size to US letter.

A British script may be bound by a single brad at the top left-hand side of the page, making flicking through the paper easier during script meetings. Screenplays are usually bound with a light card stock cover and back page, often showing the logo of the production company or agency submitting the script, covers are there to protect the script during handling which can reduce the strength of the paper. This is especially important if the script is likely to pass through the hands of several people or through the post.

==== Other ====
Increasingly, ''reading copies'' of screenplays (that is, those distributed by producers and agencies in the hope of attracting finance or talent) are distributed printed on both sides of the paper (often professionally bound) to reduce paper waste. Occasionally they are reduced to half-size to make a small book which is convenient to read or put in a pocket; this is generally for use by the director or production crew during shooting.

Although most writing contracts continue to stipulate physical delivery of three or more copies of a finished script, it is common for scripts to be delivered electronically via email. Electronic copies allow easier [[Copyright registration#Requirement of registration|copyright registration]] and also documenting "authorship on a given date".<ref name="zerner">{{Cite web|url=https://www.writersstore.com/wgaw-registration-vs-copyright-registration/|title=Writers Guild of America-West Registration vs. Copyright Registration|website=www.writersstore.com|access-date=2020-03-29|first=Larry |last=Zerner ESQ|quote=If the writer registers the script with the Copyright Office only '''after'''<!-- emphasis in original--> the infringement has taken place, '''he will be barred from recovering attorneys fees or statutory damages in the lawsuit.'''}}</ref> Authors can register works with the [[Writers Guild of America West]] (WGAW) Registry,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wgawregistry.org/|title=WGA West Registry|publisher=[[Writers Guild of America West]]|access-date=2020-03-29|quote=Any file may be registered to assist you in documenting the creation of your work. Some examples of registerable material include scripts, treatments, synopses, and outlines... The WGAW Registry also accepts stageplays, novels, books, short stories, poems, commercials, lyrics, drawings, music and various media work such as Web series, code, and other digital content.}}</ref> and even [[TV format|television formats]] using the [[Format Recognition and Protection Association|FRAPA]]'s system.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://writersguild.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/WGGB-Film-Booklet.pdf#page=11|title=Writing Film : A Good Practice Guide|author1=Sonia Castang|author2=Richard Deakin|author3=Tony Forster|author4=Andrea Gibb|author5=Olivia Hetreed (Chair)|author6=Guy Hibbert|author7=Kathy Hill|author8=Terry James|author9=Line Langebek|author10=Dominic Minghella|author11=Phil Nodding|author12=Phil O’Shea|author13=Sam Snape|date=April 2016|publisher=[[Writers' Guild of Great Britain|Writers’ Guild of Great Britain]]|access-date=29 March 2020|page=11|quote=In the UK there is no legal necessity to register your work – copyright is automatic. Registration is more important if you intend to offer your work to overseas producers. The Writers Guild of America in New York and Los Angeles offer a cheap and easy-to-use internet-based script registration system that involves uploading a digital copy. If you are offering your work in the USA you should also register it with the US Copyright Office – if you don’t, your right to legal damages for copyright infringement may be much reduced.}}</ref><ref name="ricolfi2011">{{Cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130602084944/http://www.wipo.int/export/sites/www/meetings/en/2011/wipo_cr_doc_ge_11/pdf/survey_private_crdocystems.pdf#page=24|archive-date=2 June 2013|url=https://www.wipo.int/export/sites/www/meetings/en/2011/wipo_cr_doc_ge_11/pdf/survey_private_crdocystems.pdf#page=24|publisher=[[World Intellectual Property Organization]]|last1=Ricolfi|first1=Marco|last2=Morando|first2=Federico|last3=Rubiano|first3=Camilo|last4=Hsu|first4=Shirley|last5=Ouma|first5=Marisella|last6=De Martin|first6=Juan Carlos|date=September 9, 2011|title=Survey of Private Copyright Documentation Systems and Practices|url-status=live|access-date=29 March 2020|quote=Established in 1927, Writers Guild of America, West Registry (WGAWR) is one of the oldest private copyright registries.|page=24}} [https://nexa.polito.it/survey-private-crdocystems Alt URL]</ref>