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Assistants’ Advice for Showrunners
John surveyed current and former TV assistants to create a document that is both specific to the world of television and also can broadly apply as a template for how to be a better boss.
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Streamlined resources to answer foundational questions about the format and craft of screenwriting.
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Screenplay Scene Headings: INT., EXT., and I/E Explained
In screenplay scene headings, INT. and EXT. stand for interior and exterior, respectively. You use INT. when the scene takes place inside a location and EXT. when it occurs outside.
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Script Revision Colors: How to Track Your Screenplay Changes
Colored pages are used in film and television to keep track of revisions to a script as it goes into production.
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Interrupted Dialogue: How to Format Character Interruptions
One easy way to show one character interrupting another is to use double-dashes or an ellipsis to indicate the first character’s dialogue is being interrupted.
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V.O. vs O.S.: Voice‑Over & Off‑Screen Dialogue Explained
V.O. (voice over) and O.S. (off-screen) are similar terms, but they have slightly different applications.
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Beat Writer’s Block: Screenwriters’ Creative Reset
John talks about how to define those moments when the writing isn’t happening when you need it to.
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Residuals for Screenwriters: What You Must Know
John looks back at the Writers Guild contract negotiations with the AMPTP, and explains an important part of how screenwriters are paid for their work.
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Screenplay Font Guide: What to Use & Why It Matters
Yes. Screenplays are written in 12-point Courier, or a slight variation (Courier Prime, Courier New, Courier Final Draft, etc). Courier is a fixed-pitch font, meaning each character and space is exactly the same width. Since standard screenplay format is designed so one page equals approximately one minute of screen time,
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Mastering Montage: Format & Flow in Your Script
There is no hard and fast rule for how to format montages in screenplays. As with all formatting, the goal is to express what’s happening on screen as clearly and simply as possible, without breaking up the flow of the screenplay or taking your reader out of the script.
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Standard Screenplay Format: The Writer’s Guide
What is standard screenplay format? While there can be slight variations for different types of scripts (ie multicam sitcom teleplays), screenplays follow strict formatting rules. Fortunately, screenwriting software like Highland Pro, will do the heavy lifting for you. The basics of screenplay format: * 12-point Courier font * 1.5 inch left
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Screenwriting Parentheticals: Rules & Best Practices
Parentheticals (also called “wrylies” or “actor’s direction”) are used to clear up confusion about a line that could be read multiple ways: They can also be used to indicate who a speaker is addressing: You will sometimes see them used to indicate action. This is acceptable if the action
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Title Page Essentials: Make Your Script Look Professional
First impressions matter. Discover how to format your screenplay’s title page like a pro.