40+ Screenplay Template Pages & Screenplay Format

The Screenplay can be a 90-120 page document written by the screenwriter followed by the specific size of the paper, font, margins, and others. Screenplay template pages are used to write your screenplay without adjusting the font, page size, and margins because format-based screenplay template is according to the rules of screenplay writing.

The screenplay is a collection of images, directions, instructions, dialogues, and actions of the characters are narrated. When you are writing a screenplay for a movie and want to win every single award in the film industry then you should know the screenplay format and write your screenplay according to the format of a screenplay. If you don’t follow the pattern of screenplay then no one takes your screenplay seriously.

Download Free Screenplay Templates

What is a screenplay and screenplay template?

Screenplay works as a blueprint of a film used to guide directors, actors, and producers. You can download these templates which are suitable for your screenplay writing. You can also see a free short film script for students PDF and another script example for students which helps you to understand it easily.

Screenplay elements

The screenplay has some terminologies that need to be understood. The list of these terminologies with their description is as follows:

SlugLines

Plugins are the heading of the scene which contains the location, time, and day of the scene. It looks something like this:

EXT. WRITERS KITCHEN – DAY

Sluglines contain locations whether scenes take place inside (INT) or outside(EXT). After the period the location of the scene is followed by the time of the day.

Subheader

Subheader lines are used when you don’t need a new slugline but you need to change the place and time within the scene. If you are shooting within a college then a subheader is used to indicate a change in place and time.

Action lines

Action lines are written right after the slug lines, this is a narrative description of the events in the scene. It is a clear description of what will happen in the fill hence it should be precise. It includes the gestures, movements, and description of the event happening in the scene.

Example of action line :

Aamy stands on a path in conversation with hazel and robert.

Dialogue

Dialogues are the words spoken by each character. Capitalize the name of the character and write his/her dialogues underneath. You can see the dialogue script example to understand it more clearly. 

Extensions

Extensions are written in parentheses right after the character name. It tells the reader how the voice will be heard by the audience.

VOICE OVER(V.O): When a character speaks but is not heard by the other characters.

OFF SCREEN(O.S.): When a character speaks and can be heard by the other characters but the audience doesn’t see

INTO DEVICE: When the character speaks into the phone, radio, and any other device. You can see radio talk show scripts in which INTO DEVICE extensions are mostly used.

Character

A Character is portrayed by the actors in the drama or movie. The character name or ID is always capitalized. 

Parenthetical

Parenthetical lines are used to give instructions to actors on how they should perform the lines. Here is an example of a parenthetical in the screenplay

ROBERT
(painfully)
What can I do for you?

It provides direction to the actors.

Transition

Transitions are the lines of instruction for the editor. It is used to tell the editor how should perform the transition between two or more scenes. The common transition between the two scenes is as follows:

  • CUT TO
  • SMASH TO
  • INTERCUT
  • MATCH CUT TO
  • DISSOLVE TO

Shots

Shots are the jobs of the directors which indicates that the focus has changed within the scene. It is not important as a transition in screenplay format. Here are some examples of shoots:

  • ANGLE ON
  • PAN TO —
  • EXTREME CLOSE UP
  • LIAM’S POV —

Find below some movie script dialogue examples and screenplay format pages to start your screenplay writing quickly.

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