Question About Dialogue Format

[blackbird]

Since I'm a newbie I have to ask this question: Is there a definite right or wrong format for dialogue? I've noticed that in most screenplays, the writer centerspaces the character's name (usually in caps) and types the dialogue underneath. However, I've also read a few (mostly older) screenplays in which the character's name is typed at the margin of the page, followed by a colon, then the dialogue (similar to what you would see in a script for a play).

I started my script using the latter format and have grown comfortable with that. However, I'm willing to make the change if the former is the generally accepted convention.

[wordmonkey]

Switch to the other.

Names are usually centered via the software, but you can also just indent to a set point so the character names all start at the same point but are ragged right.

The other script is more a theater version, and I have used a variation on it for comic book scripts too.

At the end of the day, it's not something set in stone, but if you are pretty close to the industry standard, a slight variation won't kill your script.

[dpaterso]

Check out the screenwriting tips (http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=24087) thread which has links to several sample format pages.

If you're downloading scripts to read, watch out for transcripts written by fans, not necessarily in standard screenplay format. Character names with colons against the left margin sound like transcripts to me.

There are also plenty of software packages that take care of formatting for you, some of them free, again check the tips thread.

-Derek

[scripter1]

to the crazy world of screenwriting.

First off, rules.
There are some real ones that MUST NOT be broken or ......you're dead.
Dead in the water.

And then there are "rules" that have been generically created to guide writers towards smoother reads and better storytelling.

The first REAL rule is FORMATT.
And YES dialog MUST be written a certain way.

If you're going to be serious about this then do it write. I mean right.

If you are using Word Perfect then SLUGS, ACTION, and such start on the left margin of 1.5". Dialog is tabbed at 2.5" from left and goes to about 6" from the left. The parenthectical or wrylie is tabbed at 3". The character name MUST be all capped and is at 3.5"

You want to double space before and after slugs, and before character names. Single space between action lines and lines of dialog.

That will get you started.

You can read plenty of threads on basics here and other sites or you can pick up Trottier's "The Screenwriter's Bible." It's the best book out there for beginning and will cover all the basics.

So, happy writing.

[Goodwriterguy]

to the crazy world of screenwriting.

First off, rules.
There are some real ones that MUST NOT be broken or ......you're dead.
Dead in the water.

And then there are "rules" that have been generically created to guide writers towards smoother reads and better storytelling.

The first REAL rule is FORMATT.
And YES dialog MUST be written a certain way.

If you're going to be serious about this then do it write. I mean right.

If you are using Word Perfect then SLUGS, ACTION, and such start on the left margin of 1.5". Dialog is tabbed at 2.5" from left and goes to about 6" from the left. The parenthectical or wrylie is tabbed at 3". The character name MUST be all capped and is at 3.5"

You want to double space before and after slugs, and before character names. Single space between action lines and lines of dialog.

That will get you started.

You can read plenty of threads on basics here and other sites or you can pick up Trottier's "The Screenwriter's Bible." It's the best book out there for beginning and will cover all the basics.

So, happy writing.
Indeed. But I don't really see things things as "rules." What format specifications are ... are specifications, not "rules." They define a form and they arise from long and enduring use of that form in the production of feature films. They reflect what has worked best on the set over decades, and are only slightly altered for the spec script form, or what's known more technically as the "master scene" form.

Screw the "rules," learn the form, and comply with it; otherwise you're not screenwriting you're doing something else. Can edges be pushed a little one way or another? Of course they can. We all do this. But as long as a reader, d-person, producer, director or actor can't tell the difference in form between the last spec they read and ours, what does it matter? I'll tell ya, it doesn't matter. It only matters when you violate the form in some egregious manner, then it matters a lot, more than you wanna know.

A monkey can learn the format, it takes a studious writer to learn the form and execute it in an accomplished manner.

end of: :rant:


And a good day tomorrow to all you veterans out there. Let's not forget those who gave the supreme sacrifice that we might live well and enjoy our lives.

[Vincarnate]

Why are you people making it so difficult. Simple question, simple asnwer.
If you want to be taken seriously as a screenwriter you need to have the right tools. Plain and simple. Theres a format you have to follow, or you wont be taken seriously.

Either buy some writing software, or get the MS macros for screenwriting.
Thats it.
End of story.

These so called writers in here cant keep a simple answer condensed Id hate to see what theyve written.

[wordmonkey]

A monkey can learn the format, it takes a studious writer to learn the form and execute it in an accomplished manner.

:Wha:

I resemble that comment!

[odocoileus]

Since you're just starting out, I recommend downloading celtx. It's free, and it will take care of your formatting issues w/o any extra trouble on your part. http://www.celtx.com/download.html


Page2stage will be free by years end, another option:
http://www.page2stage.com/pricing.htm

Format guides on my blog:
http://odocoileus.blogspot.com/2006/07/need-to-know-about-screenplay-format.html



Since I'm a newbie I have to ask this question: Is there a definite right or wrong format for dialogue? I've noticed that in most screenplays, the writer centerspaces the character's name (usually in caps) and types the dialogue underneath. However, I've also read a few (mostly older) screenplays in which the character's name is typed at the margin of the page, followed by a colon, then the dialogue (similar to what you would see in a script for a play).

I started my script using the latter format and have grown comfortable with that. However, I'm willing to make the change if the former is the generally accepted convention.

[scripter1]

just call me a monkey? :(

:box:


I say "rules" in the sense that it is a set thing.
Anybody involved in screenwriting expects a script to look a certain way.

Sure, the format can be fudged a little here and there but don't change it radically enough that it OBVIOUSLY looks different or you will have a problem.

Specifications v rules. It's symantics.

Vin, I say let someone just starting out work through the format, get a story or two done, get some feedback on the work and then see if they want to continue.
It's a sorting process.

Macros? We don't need no stinking macros!

[Goodwriterguy]

just call me a monkey? :(

:box:
If the shoe fits, wear it.

Although, that was not my intention.:)


I say "rules" in the sense that it is a set thing.
Okay. But the word has connotations, often very negative ones, especially for certan people and most especially for those of a given generation. The word "specification" doesn't infer the same things and is, methinks, a more accurate description.


Anybody involved in screenwriting expects a script to look a certain way.

Sure, the format can be fudged a little here and there but don't change it radically enough that it OBVIOUSLY looks different or you will have a problem.
Exactly.


Specifications v rules. It's symantics.
But the connotations remain. People don't like rules, object to being "ruled," are turned off by "rules."

But a specification merely indicates guidance. I mean, a script has to have margins, has to have indents; if we say the industry specifies them to be such and such, that appears to be a lot easier for many to accept, as opposed to saying there are "rules."

To my mind, there are no "rules" in screenwriting. There are specifications, principles, virtues and vices, accepted practices, conventions, a lexicon ... together which comprise a form. It is this form we must learn and must execute.

A story is a story is a story. It may be written in any of several different forms: screenplay, teleplay, radio drama, stage play, novel, short story, epic poem, but it will remain the same story regardless of which of these forms we choose to write it.

Form is a thousand times more important and more relevant than is mere format, which again, a monkey can learn. He1l, with modern screenwriting software, a writer doesn't even need to learn format, it's automated.


Vin, I say let someone just starting out work through the format, get a story or two done, get some feedback on the work and then see if they want to continue.

It's a sorting process.

Macros? We don't need no stinking macros!
Yer right, no steenking macros. The cream tends to rise to the top. Write cream.

But we do need to learn the form.

Keep giggling! ;)

[English Dave]

If the shoe fits, wear it.

Although, that was not my intention.:)




No real pro writer would ever write that.

[blackbird]

Thanks for all the input. One other small (yeah, probably dumb) question, but as I said, I'm new and still learning: If I were to purchase any of the above suggested software and install it, are there any features that would enable it to correctly format what has already been written (insofar as dialogue) or would I basically have to start all over from scratch?

[wordmonkey]

I can only speal for MovieMagic 2000.

And the answer is yes and no. You can import a doc or rtf file, but even when you set it to te most aggressive import interpretation, you will still likely as not have to go through and make the odd correction.

I think MM2K is great. The auto format is great and you can export to doc and rtf as well as make a pdf all within the software. You can change the format for different industries (it has presets but you can preety much customize it as you want) and I use it for novel and short story prose, movie scripts, TV scripts (both UK and US) and comicbook scripts.

Also, their tech support is A-one. I've actually only needed them once due to a major computer death. I called on a Sunday evening and they sorted me out there and then.

It's not cheap, but I love it.

[dpaterso]

I usually start scripts off in a plain text editor and import to MM2000 when I'm ready. Based on my own experiences, import is 100%. No, really.

Of course this depends on what format the input data is in. The pro packages have trial versions available for download, you could install them and experiment.

But even if you only get partial import and have to edit element types or similar, this is trivial compared with having to write your script over again from scratch. This worst case scenario is extremely unlikely.

-Derek

[English Dave]

I usually start scripts off in a plain text editor and import to MM2000 when I'm ready. Based on my own experiences, import is 100%. No, really.

Of course this depends on what format the input data is in. The pro packages have trial versions available for download, you could install them and experiment.

But even if you only get partial import and have to edit element types or similar, this is trivial compared with having to write your script over again from scratch. This worst case scenario is extremely unlikely.

-Derek

Buy FD. Dollar per hour it's the best purchase you'll make if you're trying to write.

But buy FD 6

[clockwork]

Buy FD. Dollar per hour it's the best purchase you'll make if you're trying to write.

But buy FD 6

I concur. FD 6 is one of the best purchases I've made.

FD 7 needs to be sprayed for roaches.

[wordmonkey]

I should probably qualify that the only issues I have had with MM2K importing have been when I worked with someone who was using Word on a PC and I was using MM2K on a Mac. And like our estemed Mod says, even the times where I had to tweak the script, it was very minor and done very quickly.

I've had the software for about four years and in that time they only made one upgrade which was a free download. For me, I take that as a good sign - they either got it right first (well, second) time, or they aren't screwing you forcing you to buy upgraded versions, or both!

While I am obviously a fan of MM2K, you can use pretty much any text editor, set the TABs and you'll be good to go.

[dpaterso]

Have mercy, let's not do the "Final Draft is better than..." thing. Been there, :e2yawn: that.

-Derek

[English Dave]

Have mercy, let's not do the "Final Draft is better than..." thing. Been there, :e2yawn: that.

-Derek

Not saying it's better than. Just saying it's the VHS rather than Betamax.

[wordmonkey]

Not saying it's better than. Just saying it's the VHS rather than Betamax.

Nor am I saying MM2K is better. Just saying it's the DVR rather than the VHS.

:D

[odocoileus]

for celtx, you can paste a script formatted in Word fairly well. Select a page or a few, then paste from the toolbar: put the cursor in the scene header box > Edit > Paste.

I can copy and paste just as easily in MMS, but not FD. Not that FD's a bad program, but cut and paste is trickier there than w/ MMS or Celtx.

Final Draft and Moviemagic both have downloadable demo programs - try before you buy.

Thanks for all the input. One other small (yeah, probably dumb) question, but as I said, I'm new and still learning: If I were to purchase any of the above suggested software and install it, are there any features that would enable it to correctly format what has already been written (insofar as dialogue) or would I basically have to start all over from scratch?

[Goodwriterguy]

No real pro writer would ever write that.
So you say.

But what you say ain't the law of the land, podnah.