spacing in scripts

[tubax]

ok i downloaded rough draft off the internet, but how do i space the different parts of my scpirt, what is the correct typing format. Thanks

[captain bligh]

there are entire books to answer that question.

i'll try to hit all the major points:

1) everything is single spaced. only double space between paragraphs in action lines, between dialogue and action lines, and between scenes.

2) left-hand margin should be one and a quarter to one and a half inches.

3) right hand margin should be half an inch wide to one inch wide.

4) character names should be set in at about three and a half inches.

5) dialogue should be set in about two and a half inches and should be between three and a half and four inches wide. in other words, the right hand margin of dialogue should be set at six to six and a half inches from the left hand side of the page, or at two to two and a half inches from the right.

6) parentheticals should be set in at three inches and shouldn't be more than two inches wide.

7) transitions go on the right hand side, usually and inch in from the edge of the page, but generally you don't need them.

8 ) most people double space before a new slug; some people triple space. both are fine. the argument against triple spacing is that it wastes space in a confined medium. the argument for triple spacing is that it makes the transition from one scene to another more clear -- because of the big space.

9) buy trottier's screenwriter's bible. buy hardcopies of scripts. don't format like the published books you can buy at brentano's or borders.

i think that's all of the big stuff.

[Deus Ex Machine]

If by Rough Draft you mean the stand alone program --www.rsalsbury.co.uk/rd.htm (http://www.rsalsbury.co.uk/rd.htm) -- then you don't have to worry about spacing and margins because the whole point of the program is to handle all that for you, all you have to do is write the story.

[Deus Ex Machine]

FADE IN:
(blank line/double space)
INT. ROOM - DAY
(blank line/double space)
Narrative/action done in single space.
Narrative/action done in single space.
Narrative/action done in single space.
(Blank line/double space)
.........................CHARACTER X
............Dialogue done in single space.
(blank line/double space)
Narrative/action done in single space.
(blank line/double space)
.........................CHARACTER Y
............Dialogue done in single space.
............Dialogue done in single space.
............Dialogue done in single space.
(blank line/double space)
.........................CHARACTER X
............Dialogue done in single space.
(blank line/double space)
.........................CHARACTER Y
............Dialogue done in single space.
............Dialogue done in single space.
............Dialogue done in single space.
(blank line/double space)
Narrative/action done in single space.
(blank line/double space)
EXT. BUILDING - NIGHT
(blank line/double space)
Narrative/action done in single space.
(blank line/double space)
.................................................. .............CUT TO:
(blank line/double space)
INT. BUILDING - NIGHT
(blank line/double space)
Narrative/action done in single space.
(blank line/double space)

==============================================

Some people like to triple space (two blank lines) before their sluglines. It's a personal taste thing. Sometimes I do it but usually I stick to standard double space (one blank line) before sluglines.

Now I feel like Bligh having typed all this for nothing because if you have a scriptwriting style sheet, template or formatting application you don't need to worry at all about any of this because the spacing and margins are handled for you by these add-ons and applications.


HTH

[Pandoraisme]

Ahh... I love you Otis. I thought I changed the setup of my program somehow.

MM automatically defaults to single space? I have to fiddle with the margins to get them to meet industry standards?
Is single space really the new double space?

Why am I fiddling with a product that I bought so I wouldn't have to fiddle?

[dpaterso]

Just asking, no hassle intended.

...Re:

INT. ROOM - DAY
(blank line/double space)
Narrative/action done in single space.
Narrative/action done in single space.
Narrative/action done in single space.

...Shouldn't this be:

INT. ROOM - DAY
(blank line/double space)
Narrative/action done in single space.
(blank line/double space)
Narrative/action done in single space.
(blank line/double space)
Narrative/action done in single space.

...e.g.

INT. BEDROOM - DAY

Lucy stands by the window, peering through the blinds.

The phone RINGS. She stares at it. Turns back to the window.

And SCREAMS as a bloody mangled face is pressed against the glass.

...instead of,

INT. BEDROOM - DAY

Lucy stands by the window, peering through the blinds.
The phone RINGS. She stares at it. Turns back to the window.
And SCREAMS as a bloody mangled face is pressed against the glass.

...?? Maybe that's not what's intended, but that's how it reads. Or maybe I need my eyes tested.

-Derek
-----------------------One of the many reasons you should never listen to dpat ~PipeWriter

[Deus Ex Machine]

Narrative is normally single spaced forming paragraphs.

INT. ROOM - DAY
(blank line/double space)
Narrative/action done in single space.
Narrative/action done in single space.
Narrative/action done in single space.


You can write in a more shot directed format where every line is double spaced. This is typically done when each line represents a different shot/visual focus. It's used to create tension and facilitate a quick vertical read.

INT. ROOM - DAY
(blank line/double space)
Narrative/action done in single space.
(blank line/double space)
Narrative/action done in single space.
(blank line/double space)
Narrative/action done in single space.


Which approach you use is entirely dependent on you, your style and the pacing you are trying to create with the scene. In general though narrative is single spaced and double spacing narrative is the exception not the rule.