Käsikirjoitusmuoto

Käsikirjoitusmuoto, often translated as screenplay format, is a standardized way of writing scripts for film, television, and other visual media. It ensures that all the necessary information for production is presented clearly and consistently. The format dictates specific elements such as scene headings, action lines, character names, dialogue, and parentheticals.

Scene headings, also known as slug lines, indicate the location and time of a scene. They are typically written in all caps and follow a pattern like INT. (interior) or EXT. (exterior) followed by the location and then DAY or NIGHT. Action lines, or scene descriptions, are written in present tense and describe what the audience sees and hears, excluding dialogue.

Character names are centered above their dialogue and are also written in all caps. Dialogue follows the character name. Parentheticals, enclosed in parentheses, offer brief instructions on how a line of dialogue should be delivered or performed. They are used sparingly to avoid dictating every nuance of performance.

Other elements may include transitions, such as CUT TO: or FADE OUT:, which indicate how one scene ends and another begins, and sometimes sound cues, written in all caps. The adherence to a specific käsikirjoitusmuoto is crucial for clear communication between writers, directors, actors, and the rest of the production crew, facilitating the efficient and accurate realization of a script's vision.