Formatting your Play Projects!

Formatting scripts is a pain, but it is a requirement for those who write scripts. I am teaching you the industry standard US format. Scripts from other countries are similar but have slight differences. A theater may also have preferences, but the standard form is universal. The important thing to note is that your work is well written, attractive (lacking grammar/spelling/mechanic errors) and the format is consistent. Plays/scripts that are published have a different format.

The most common errors students make with scripts is formatting. Please take a look at these and make sure your play scripts are formatted correctly before handing them in. Points will be deducted for incorrect or inconsistent formatting.


Formatting notes:

• Plays are single spaced. From Microsoft's HOME menu, select the spacing icon and make sure it is 1.0. You should also REMOVE SPACE AFTER PARAGRAPH to keep the spacing correct.
• Plays are NEVER centered or double-spaced.
• Skip a single LINE by hitting the ENTER key after each speaker's line.
• Lines of dialogue should be LEFT justified and appear under the character's name. If a line is interrupted by stage directions (see below) and there is not a NEW speaker, the dialogue should continue after the stage direction. Characters that do not speak do not need a line of dialogue.
• Stage directions that are longer than a single line should be blocked and set off at 2.5" or 3". If your stage direction is short (one line or less), it should appear in parenthesis. There is no need to italicize your stage directions, but if you like that, go ahead. Keep this consistent within the script--so if you do it, continue to do it.
• Character names are 5 or 6 indents or tab key strokes (so that the character name appears at 2.5" or 3"). [You can find the ruler from the VIEW menu]. Keep this consistent. The idea is that a character's name appears in the middle of the paper if you were to fold it. Centering is not preferred, but if you centered the name the world will not end. Again, keep formatting consistent.
• If your character is cut off due to a page break, it is custom to include a break by including the character tag (the character's name) and the abbreviation: CON'T after it. This tells an actor/director that the character is continuing to speak. You can avoid this by making sure your lines don't move to the next page. Never leave a CHARACTER TAG alone at the bottom of your page with the speech/dialogue on the NEXT page!
• Your play scripts should have a title page. Usually this has your address on it along with your name. We don't need that yet, but if you are planning on sending your 10-minute plays to Geva or the Fringe Festival, you may wish to add this information on the bottom LEFT hand side of your title page.
• On a separate page you should include a cast list. Your cast list page can also include TIME and SETTING.
• Plays that transition from scene to scene by lighting should indicate that by using the words: lights fade or lights come up. Alternatively, BLACK OUT works as well. Curtains are a little antiquated, but if you say CURTAIN or CURTAIN RISES, we'll know what that means--just be consistent.
• The end of the play should be clearly indicated by END or END OF PLAY or CURTAIN or LIGHTS FADE. The French fashion is FIN.
• Please include a header with PAGE NUMBERS (required) and (if you'd like) the title of the work. Page one should not appear on your TITLE page.
• Before you print your play out, check your formatting and proofread for errors.

 All plays are due next class!