scriptconventies

Script conventions refer to the standardized rules used for writing scripts in film, television, and theatre. They govern formatting, terminology, and structure to aid readability, collaboration, and production planning. While details vary by medium and region, most scripts share a core framework designed to convey setting, action, and dialogue efficiently.

Screenplays typically follow formatting norms such as a fixed font and margins (historically Courier 12 point); scene headings that begin with INT. or EXT. followed by location and time of day; action lines describing setting and events in the present tense; character names centered above their dialogue; dialogue blocks; parentheticals for brief delivery notes; and transitions such as CUT TO or DISSOLVE TO.

Stage plays use similar yet distinct conventions. Dialogue lines often bear the character name, with lines separated and aligned for easy reading on stage. Stage directions appear in brackets or italicized notes, and there is a clear division into acts and scenes. Unlike screenplays, plays usually emphasize spoken text and stage action rather than camera instructions.

Regional and studio guidelines influence specifics, and different markets, such as the United States and the United Kingdom, maintain small but meaningful differences. Teleplays, feature screenplays, and stage plays each adopt tailored conventions while sharing a common goal: to communicate story, timing, and production needs clearly. Writers may conform to established style guides or software templates.

Digital tools provide templates that automate formatting, enabling writers to focus on story. Common tools include screenwriting software and word processors with preset styles; many writers export drafts in industry-standard formats for submissions, reading, and collaboration.