FORMATTING YOUR SPEC SCRIPT, A PRIMER: PART 23

If you’re applying to a fellowship, taking a TV writing class or just trying to learn the ins and outs of TV script formatting, the WGF Library likely has scripts you want to read for research—scripts you can’t find anywhere else.

If you live outside LA, can’t come into the library for whatever reason, or are just looking for a distillation of how popular/current shows are formatted, this blog series is for you. These primers are meant to supply the notes you’d take if you visited the library to read scripts in person.

We hope this jump-starts your research and writing. Just remember, especially if you’re writing a spec for a fellowship application, formatting should be a secondary concern behind knocking the readers’ socks off with a gut-punch of a story. These posts are not an excuse for you to obsess over formatting at the expense of story. You’ll get the most out of it if you use this post to get a feel for how television is generally formatted.

Remember: We aren’t able to send out scripts as we are not the copyright holders. If you have further, more specific questions about the shows covered in this (or any other) formatting post, please e-mail us at library@wgfoundation.org and we can help clarify or provide more info.  

THE BEAR (Hulu)

**Note: As of the writing of this post, we only have the pilot and season 1 finale of The Bear, so those are the only two scripts used in compiling this data.

Average page count: 33-34

Average scene count: 34-37

Broken into acts? No

Other things to consider:

• The important thing to remember is that this is a high energy show with lots of fast talking and action. Don't be afraid to have long blocks of quick-paced description. To convey the quick pace, sometimes sentences are only two words long.

• It's written like an action movie, but the action is cooking.

• Each character has a really distinct voice and dialogue can move at a breakneck speed. There are sometimes pages with lots of dialogue and lots of white space. Keep it simple. In the finale, Carmy has a monologue that goes for a whole page and is not interrupted with any description.

• Text messages and any written text we see on screen is usually bolded. Elsewhere, ALL-CAPS can sometimes be used for significant sounds or visuals. The main thing is to keep it quick and choppy. 

• The scripts are not broken into acts, but end with "END OF EPISODE." on the right-hand side in ALL-CAPS and with a period.

HARLEM (Amazon)

Average page count: 31-33

Average scene count: 17-46 (don’t sweat the scene count — it varies)

Broken into acts? No

Other things to consider: 

• Scripts often open with Camille's voice-over with some animation or stock footage or her walking around Harlem. What's written in these fantastical sequences is often very practical and straightforward. See example below.

• These scripts feature more word-heavy blocks of description that are rich in detail and really draw the reader in.

• Flashbacks are noted in the scene heading, e.g. "EXT. CAMILLE'S BROWNSTONE - FOUR YEARS AGO - DAY" and when we return to the present, "EXT. CAMILLE'S BROWNSTONE - AS BEFORE"

• When a character sends/receives a text message or reads a tweet, the words of the text or tweet are simply put into quotation marks in the description, i.e. - ‘Camille grabs her phone and opens her texts. Ian’s text: “Are we making a mistake?” looms in front of her. She starts to type back: "I’d like to think that we aren’t, but maybe we owe it to ourselves to...”’

• The thing that really makes these scripts pop is each character's individual voice. We can easily cross out the names and still know who's talking. That leads the eye down the page quickly.

• The scripts aren't broken into acts, but each script ends with “END OF EPISODE” bolded, CAPITALIZED and underlined.

THE LAST OF US (HBO)

Average page count: 42-67; the length varies (the pilot is 112 pages)

Average scene count: it varies wildly, so try not to worry too much about it

Broken into acts? No

Other things to consider: 

• All scene headings are in bold.

• The prose is very visceral with descriptions of sights, sounds, and smells. Sentences are short and active. Scripts consist of A LOT of description. It’s a very visual show.

• Signage on screen helps tell the story. Important signs are written in ALL-CAPS and bolded. These include highway signs like “WELCOME TO WYOMING,” FEDRA signs and graffiti. Sometimes significant signs/text are bolded in huge 48pt font or in red to really signify importance and draw the reader in. 

• Flashbacks are indicated by adding the year to the end of the first scene heading of the flashback and then the year 2023 when we return to the present action.

• Italicized words and phrases are peppered throughout all scripts, mostly letting us know characters’ internal monologue. These are notes for the reader about what we’re feeling more than seeing. In the example below: "They aren't here for lunch. They're interrogating the hostess of the restaurant. Hmmm, wonder what she did. Another bite. Chew. Chew. Chew. The hostess nods, and points toward where Ratna is seated. Oh. Someone near me did something?"

• Scripts are not broken into acts, but each script ends with "END OF EPISODE" in bold, ALL-CAPS, centered and underlined.

SHRINKING (AppleTV+)

Average page count: 32-34

Average scene count: 28-37

Broken into acts? No

Other things to consider: 

• Scripts use as little description as humanly possible to convey what's happening. It's mostly dialogue. Lots of short spats of back and forth dialogue. 

• While the scripts are not broken into acts, there is a title cue. It's formatted: TITLES: SHRINKING in bold and ALL-CAPS on the left-hand side of the page. This title cue occurs anywhere from page 3 to page 7... It's the end of a "cold open" of sorts.

• Written text that we see on screen is often written in bold and in quotations. 

• Montages are conveyed very simply with dashes.

• Flashbacks—typically with Jimmy's deceased wife Tia—are baked into the scene heading, i.e. - "INT. JIMMY'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - FLASHBACK" then to leave the flashback "BACK TO THE PRESENT" is used in the next scene heading. 

• Scripts end with "END." or "END OF EPISODE." in ALL-CAPS on the left-hand side. 

SINGLE DRUNK FEMALE (Freeform)

Average page count: 25-28 (usually closer to 28)

Average scene count: 15-25

Broken into acts? Yes

Other things to consider: 3 acts (usually a cold open too and occasionally a tag)

• Scripts are broken into three acts. Typically there's also a cold open. Occasionally there's a tag. If there's a cold open, it will run from 2-6 pages. Act one: 5-9 pages. Act two: 8-12. Act three: 3-5 pages. If there's a tag, it's usually 1/2 to 3/4ths of a page. Notice act two is the longest. Act three is the shortest. 

• Act headings/endings are formatted: COLD OPEN / END OF COLD OPEN... ACT ONE / END OF ACT ONE... centered, bolded and underlined. 

• At the end of act three (or the end of the tag if there is one): END OF EPISODE centered, bolded and underlined. 

• At some point before the end of the cold open (or the end of act one if there is no cold open), there is a title card reminding us how many days Samantha has been sober. This is formatted in ALL-CAPS and bolded on the left-hand side of the page: TITLE CARD: SOBRIETY CALCULATOR: 28 DAYS

• Formatting in these scripts is simple and casual -- like a sketch rather than a full-on painting. There's occasional CAPITALIZATION of significant verbs and behaviors for emphasis. The prose is really funny.

• As you can see from the scene count, longer, more dialogue-heavy scenes are okay.

• Written text we see on screen is presented simply in quotes. 

WE ARE LADY PARTS (Peacock)

Average page count: 27-28

Average scene count: 25-40

Broken into acts? No

Other things to consider: 

• Scene headings are bolded. Scene headings also use a lot of abbreviations like "UNI" or "CHEM LAB"

• Blockier descriptive paragraphs are okay along with camera directions and the vibe/feeling of the scene. See how the Brief Encounter fantasy sequence below is detailed in the description. 

• A huge part of these scripts is the distinctiveness of each character's voice. You could cover each character's name up and still know who is talking. Amina has a sweet, nervous energy. Saira is more hard-nosed and aggressive. Since it's so easy to distinguish between characters on the page, the scripts have real flow. 

• The descriptions have wit and playfulness just like the central characters. 

• Band performances and musical numbers are specified in bold in the descriptions, then any sung lyrics are italicized. 

• Written text that we see on screen is also italicized in the description. 

• Scripts are not broken into acts, but end with "END OF EPISODE." in ALL-CAPS on the left-hand side. 

Until next time, happy writing!

FORMATTING YOUR SPEC SCRIPT, A PRIMER: PART 22

If you’re applying to a fellowship, taking a TV writing class or just trying to learn the mechanics of TV writing as you build your portfolio, we likely have scripts you want to look at in the WGF Library for your research—scripts that you can’t find anywhere else.  

As you may know, we only provide access to scripts in-person in our library. If you live outside LA or can’t come into the library for whatever reason, this blog series is for you. These primers are meant to supply the notes you’d take if you came to read scripts in person. (Just remember, formatting isn’t everything. Even shows themselves aren’t always consistent with their own formatting. These primers should not be used as an excuse to obsess over formatting at the expense of actually telling a compelling story, which is MUCH more important. Use these posts to try to get a feel for how television more generally is formatted. You’ll get the most out of them that way.)

As always, we aren’t able to send out scripts as we are not the copyright holders, but we hope this primer jump-starts your research and writing. If you have further, more specific questions about the shows covered in this (or any other) formatting post, please e-mail us at library@wgfoundation.org and we can help clarify or provide more info.

ABBOTT ELEMENTARY (ABC)

Average page count: 29-33

Average scene count: 28-33

Broken into acts? Yes, three acts + cold open + tag

Other things to consider:

• Scripts begin with a cold open, then have three acts and end with a tag. The cold open is typically 2 pages or less. Act one is usually the longest, clocking in at somewhere around 9 to 14 pages; act two is around 8-10 pages, then act three is the shortest, usually around at 5-7 pages. The tag is almost always 1 page. 

• Act breaks in Abbott Elementary scripts are formatted: COLD OPEN / END OF COLD OPEN ... ACT ONE / END OF ACT ONE ... centered, bolded and underlined.

• In terms of talking heads, Abbott Elementary scripts are formatted much like The Office. To write a talking head, you'd put AVA TALKING HEAD on the left-hand side of the page—just as you would a scene heading. Talking heads are underlined. Scene headings are not.

• Major locations include the teachers' lounge, Janine's classroom, admin area, etc. 

• Sometimes in the scene heading, for time of day, rather than saying simply "DAY" or "NIGHT" scripts will say "LUNCH," e.g. - "INT. TEACHER'S LOUNGE - LUNCH"

• At the end of the tag (which is the end of the script), END OF SHOW is centered, bolded and underlined. 

GHOSTS (CBS)

Average page count: 30-38

Average scene count: 17-23

Broken into acts? Yes, three acts + cold open + tag (the tag, especially, seems optional)

Other things to consider:

• Ghosts scripts are broken into three acts. Sometimes there's a cold open specified on the page. Sometimes there isn't. Scripts occasionally end with a tag, but they don't always. 

• If there is a cold open, it's often 2-3 pages. Act one is anywhere from 8-15 pages. Act two: 7-10 pages. Act three: 4-6 pages. If there's a tag, it's usually just 1 page. 

• Act headings are formatted: ACT ONE / END OF ACT ONE, centered and underlined. 

• Before the end of each act, the description says (on a new line): "And we.... FADE OUT." Similarly, scripts usually include a main title cue. This can be formatted: "And we CUT TO MAIN TITLES." Note MAIN TITLES is underlined.

• Occasionally scripts feature little flashes to the future or past. These can be formatted with a "FLASH TO:" on the right-hand side of the page, then the scene heading of whatever you're flashing to, then when you're ready to go back to the present -- "BACK TO SCENE:" also on the right-hand side. 

Ghosts scripts don't have as many scenes as other single-cam comedies. There's a lot of dialogue and clean, white space on the page. Also, note: the ghosts have very distinct voices on the page, so it's very easy to distinguish between them when they are talking. 

The show features out-of-the-ordinary, ghostly actions — like trying to walk through forcefields. Don’t overthink writing these types of things in your spec. The description is very straightforward.

Regardless of whether or not there's a tag, scripts end with END OF SHOW, centered and underlined. 

LOOT (AppleTV+)

Average page count: 26-28

Average scene count: 22-28

Broken into acts? No, but scripts often include a cold open

Other things to consider:

• Scripts are not broken into acts, but almost always include a cold open. The cold open is 2-3 pages.

• Scripts begin with "COLD OPEN" at the top -- centered, bolded, underlined. The cold open ends with a main title cue. This is formatted "MAIN TITLES" on the left-hand side, bolded and underlined for emphasis with a period after it. The scripts do NOT specify "END OF COLD OPEN." The cold open just ends with that main title cue. 

• Description is fun and breezy much like the show. 

• When writing description for your Loot spec, keep in mind that Molly is a billionaire in a nonprofit world. Her actions are described in a really over-the-top way to contrast her surroundings. 

• Episodes end with "END OF EPISODE" centered, bolded and underlined. No tag. 

OUR FLAG MEANS DEATH (HBOMax)

Average page count: 33-36 (typically closer to 36)

Average scene count: 33-56

Broken into acts? No

Other things to consider:

• Our Flag Means Death scripts are not broken into acts. 

• Scene headings are often underlined. 

• Scripts don’t have an official cold open, but after a few pages they use a fun main title cue.

• Each episode of Our Flag Means Death has a different main title card/sequence. This is formatted "TITLES:" (in ALL-CAPS and bolded) on the left-hand side immediately followed by a description of the title, e.g. "TITLES: OUR FLAG MEANS DEATH painted on a canvas with Picasso at the helm."

• If you're spec-ing this show, a knowledge of nautical terms and history of piracy might actually come in handy... because there are explanations in the text sometimes, e.g. - "A tender (a rowboat essentially) manned by two officers approaches."

• For series of shots or montages, the show will list what we see with numbers in the description.

• Flashbacks are occasionally used on the show. Most of the time, flashbacks are simply noted in the scene heading. An example: "EXT. SPANISH MAN-O-WAR - DAY (FLASHBACK)"

• When the flashback is over, just note "(PRESENT)" at the end of the next scene heading, e.g. - "INT. THE REVENGE - STEDE'S CABIN - DAY (PRESENT)"

• For quicker flashes, you'll sometimes see "FLASHBACK:" on the right-hand side followed by a brief description of the flashback, then "BACK TO THE PRESENT:" to go back to the present. 

• Most scripts end with "END OF EPISODE" centered, bolded, underlined.

THIS FOOL (Hulu)

Average page count: 29-31

Average scene count: 16-24

Broken into acts? Yes, three acts + a cold open

Other things to consider:

• This Fool scripts are broken into three acts and a cold open. The cold open typically runs 3-4 pages. Act one is a tiny bit on the shorter side at 5-7 pages. Act two runs 7-10 pages, then act three runs 4-8. 

• Act headings are formatted: ACT ONE / END OF ACT ONE, centered, bolded and underlined. 

• Scene headings are underlined. 

• When a character speaks in Spanish (or any other language other than English), their Spanish dialogue is included in a separate column next to the English translation. 

• Description is really fun and inventive in This Fool scripts. Text on screen is often in quotations or in italics or bolded—just to draw the reader's attention to it. 

• There is no tag. Act three ends with "END OF EPISODE" centered, bolded and underlined. 

WELCOME TO FLATCH (Fox)

Average page count: 28-37

Average scene count: 40-48

Broken into acts? Yes, four acts

Other things to consider:

• Welcome to Flatch sometimes uses text written out on screen to convey information. This is formatted "CHYRON:" on the left-hand side of the page followed by the words we see on screen in italics. 

• Scripts are broken into four acts. Act one is 8-12 pages. Act two is roughly 6-8, but could be more. Act three is 6-11. Act four is short at 3-8 pages. 

• Act headings are centered, bolded and underlined, e.g. - ACT ONE / END OF ACT ONE

• While there isn't a formally specified cold open, there is usually a main title cue a few pages into the script formatted with the words "TITLE UP: WELCOME TO FLATCH" on the left-hand side of the page in ALL CAPS. The words "WELCOME TO FLATCH" are bolded.

• Talking heads are formatted differently in these scripts than they are in Abbott Elementary. In Welcome to Flatch, the description usually specifies that a character "talks to CAMERA." Oftentimes the word CAMERA is in all caps. 

Until next time, happy writing!

FORMATTING YOUR SPEC SCRIPT: A PRIMER, PART 21

If you’re applying to a fellowship or taking a TV writing class or just trying to learn the mechanics of TV writing as you build your portfolio, we likely have scripts you want to look at in the library for your research—scripts that you can’t find anywhere else. You might be frustrated you can’t come in and look at them.  

If you feel stymied by our in-person closure (or live outside LA), this blog series is for you. These primers are meant to supply the notes you’d take if you came to read scripts in-person.

As always, we aren’t able to send out scripts in full as we are not the copyright holders, but we hope this primer jump-starts your research and writing. If you have further, more specific questions about the shows covered in this (or any other) formatting post, please e-mail us at library@wgfoundation.org and we can help clarify or provide more info.

FOR ALL MANKIND (Apple TV+)

Average page count: 61-66

Average scene count: varies -- as low as 20 as high as 86

Broken into acts? No

Other things to consider:

• For All Mankind scripts are not broken into acts, but most scripts have a main title cue. This cue usually occurs about 3-15 pages into the script (usually close to 4 pages in) and is formatted: MAIN TITLE in all CAPS, centered, bolded and underlined.

• The show utilizes lots of archival footage. When archival footage is shown on screen, the scripts specify (ARCHIVAL) in parentheses and bold in the scene heading… or in the description.

• Any archival video or audio (both in description and dialogue) is italicized.

• When dialogue emanates from the TV or radio, the writers put (TV) or (RADIO) (V.O.) next to the speaker’s name in parentheses, e.g. RONALD REAGAN (RADIO) (V.O.) or DAN RATHER (TV). Sometimes real, historic speeches are used.

• In the shooting scripts, there are lots of camera directions written in CAPITAL letters.

• Sometimes dates and locations are presented as text on screen. This text is always bolded. Sometimes it’s preceded by “CHYRON:” but not always.

• Much of the action takes place at the Johnson Space Center. In the scene headings, this is abbreviated “JSC” but for the purposes of your spec, you might want to write it out the long way, so the reader isn’t confused.

GIRLS5EVA (Peacock)

Average page count: between 30-32

Average scene count: 18-24

Broken into acts? Yes, 3

Other things to consider:

• Scene headings are underlined.

• Scripts are broken into three acts. Act headings are formatted: ACT ONE / END OF ACT ONE, centered, underlined and sometimes bolded.

• The end of act three ends: END OF EPISODE, centered and underlined and is typically preceded by “FADE OUT.” on the right-hand side in all caps.

• If something is sung, the words are presented in all-CAPS in the dialogue.

• The description includes lots of visual gags – and is often as funny as the spoken dialogue.

• The scene headings use brackets instead of parentheticals. If we’re seeing news footage or a flashback, this is specified in brackets at the end of the scene heading. e.g. “EXT. A ROOF IN FLORIDA [W-TIT NEWS TAMPA FOOTAGE]” or INT. "INT. "LARRY KING LIVE" STUDIO - 1999 [FLASHBACK]”

THE GREAT NORTH (Fox)

Average page count: 49-51

Average scene count: 30-45

Broken into acts? Yes, 4

Other things to consider:

• Scene/act headings are bolded.

• Scripts are broken into four acts. Acts one, two and three fall into the 8-18 page range. Generally, act one is the longest. Act four tends to be shortest, around 5-8 pages.

• Act breaks are formatted: ACT ONE / END OF ACT ONE, then at the end of the act four: END OF EPISODE. The act headings are bolded in the same way as the scene headings.

• In animated shows like these, sometimes the writers include an establishing scene heading to show the exterior of a location before we go inside, e.g. “EXT. TOBIN FAMILY HOME – ESTABLISHING – DAWN” to “EXT. TOBIN FAMILY HOME – ROOF – CONTINUOUS”

• Scene transitions, if used, are on the right-hand side in bold and all-CAPS, e.g. “WIPE TO:” or “FADE OUT.” These scene transitions are most often used at act breaks.

• Dialogue is double-spaced much like in a multi-cam sitcom.

• There are no extra spaces between dialogue, description and scene headings.

• Flashbacks are noted in the scene heading. When the flashback ends, the next scene heading says “BACK TO SCENE”

TACOMA FD (TruTV)

Average page count: 30

Average scene count: 16-22

Broken into acts? Yes, cold open + 4 acts

Other things to consider:

• Scripts are divided into four acts and a cold open.

• The cold open is typically 2-3 pages long, formatted: COLD OPEN / END OF COLD OPEN, centered and underlined.

• Acts one and two run between 6-11 pages. Act three runs a little shorter at 5-7 pages. Act four runs 1-3 pages. It might be helpful to think of act four more like a tag. Instead of END OF ACT FOUR, the last act ends: END OF SHOW, centered and underlined.

• CHYRON or text on screen is presented in bold.

• The scripts bold, underline or italicize significant visuals and sounds. For comic effect, the writers use onomatopoeia, e.g. WAHHHHHHH!!!!!!! for an alarm sounding.

• If a character is speaking through the radio or from dispatch, the text is written in italics.

TOM CLANCY’S JACK RYAN (Amazon)

Average page count: 55-60

Average scene count: 62-87

Broken into acts? No

Other things to consider:

• Like many streaming shows, the scripts are not broken into acts, but end with END OF EPISODE centered and underlined. 

• New, significant locations are centered and bolded. 

• Flashbacks are in italics with the year we're flashing back to in parentheses in the scene heading like (1988). 

• These scripts are not afraid to have lots of description -- it's a visual show. They're also not afraid to use big, blocky monologues. 

• Scripts also occasionally underline or CAPITALIZE something significant in the action.

• For dialogue spoken in another language, they occasionally use a parenthetical before dialogue... or they just note it in the description. 

YELLOWJACKETS (Showtime)

Average page count: 53

Average scene count: 40-60, usually in the 50s

Broken into acts? No

Other things to consider:

• Scene headings are bolded and underlined.

• While there are no act breaks specified on the page, there is a main title cue. This happens usually around page 4, but could happen earlier or later. It happens on page 7 in one script. This is formatted MAIN TITLES, in CAPS and in bold on the left-hand side.

• The scene headings end with (1996) in parentheses or (PRESENT DAY) to specify which timeline we’re in., e.g. -- EXT. HUNTING CABIN - WILDERNESS - DAY (1996) or INT. SADECKI HOUSE - SHAUNA’S ROOM - DAY (PRESENT DAY). For scene headings in the wilderness, the writers often specify WILDERNESS preceded by the part of the wilderness.

• Episodes end: END EPISODE in bold on the left hand side.... 

Until next time, happy writing!

FORMATTING YOUR SPEC SCRIPT, A PRIMER - PART 20

With Fellowship Season ‘22 upon us, here is another post in what has become a mainstay series for the WGF Library: our TV Spec Script Formatting Primers.

If you’re applying to a fellowship or taking a TV writing class or just trying to learn the mechanics of TV writing as you build your portfolio, we likely have scripts you want to look at in the library for your research—scripts that you can’t find anywhere else. You might be frustrated you can’t come in and look at them.  

If you feel stymied by our in-person closure (or live outside LA), this blog series is for you. These primers are meant to supply the notes you’d take if you came to read scripts in-person.

As always, we aren’t able to send out scripts in full as we are not the copyright holders, but we hope this primer jump-starts your research and writing. If you have further, more specific questions about the shows covered in this (or any other) formatting post, please e-mail us at library@wgfoundation.org and we can help clarify or provide more info.

CALL ME KAT (Fox) 

Average page count: 42-45 

Average scene count:  

Broken in to acts? Yes, a cold open + four acts 

Other things to consider: 

• Call Me Kat is a multi-cam sitcom. The scripts use traditional multi-cam formatting. This means that all description is in CAPITAL letters, all dialogue is double-spaced and new scenes are lettered rather than numbered, e.g. - “SCENE B” is centered, bolded and underlined at the beginning of a new scene.

• Underneath each scene heading is a parenthetical which lists the characters in the scene in ALL-CAPS.

• At the beginning of season 1, Call Me Kat scripts consisted of a cold open, three acts and a tag, but the formatting evolved to a cold open and four acts. The cold open is typically 4 to 4.5 pages. Act one is 8-15 pages. Act two is 10-19 pages. Act three is 7-14 pages. Act four is 5-6 pages. Keep in mind, this is just a range to give you an idea. Your acts might be a little shorter or longer.

• Act breaks are formatted ACT ONE / END OF ACT ONE, centered and underlined.  

• Act four (the last act) ends END OF SHOW, centered and underlined. 

• The end of every act and the end of the episode is typically preceded with a “FADE OUT.” in ALL CAPS on the right-hand side. The show often utilizes transitions between scenes. Think: “POP TO:” or “CUT TO:” in all caps on the right-hand side. 

• The cold open ends with: MAIN TITLES centered and underlined (as opposed to END OF COLD OPEN).

• Like many multi-cam sitcoms, Call Me Kat notes sounds effects in BOLD on the left hand side, e.g.: SFX: DOORBELL RINGS

HIGHTOWN (Starz) 

Average page count: 53-58 

Average scene count: 44-45 

Broken into acts? No 

Other things to consider:  

• On the page, these scripts feel much like little feature screenplays.  

• The description is easy-going, casual, profane… fun to read. 

• The writers CAPITALIZE significant props, visuals, sounds… This might not be supremely important in a spec script, but it helps in production — and is a good practice to get into if you want to write TV.

• Scripts end with THE END – centered, underlined and sometimes bolded.

PHYSICAL (AppleTV+) 

Average page count: 32-36 

Average scene count: 28-41 

Broken into acts? No 

Other things to consider:  

• Scene headings are underlined. 

• Physical utilizes lots of voiceover on the show. Sometimes Sheila will have voice-over after saying a line of dialogue. In this case, the voice-over is given a separate dialogue line. The voice-over often presents Sheila’s self-disgust and her disgust with people and things surrounding her. 

• The tone is very wry and witty.  

• Lines of description are often preceded by dashes or ellipses to give everything a fluid, fast-cutting feel.  

• Again, it’s good practice to CAPITALIZE significant props and actions. Physical does this.  

• Episodes end with END OF EPISODE, centered, bolded and underlined.

RESERVATION DOGS (FX) 

**As it’s the only episode we have in the library, the stats presented here are from the pilot script.  

Page count: 36 (subsequent episodes are probably a little shorter) 

Scene count: 48 (but it likely fluctuates depending on the episode) 

Broken into acts? No 

Other things to consider: 

• The pilot script is not broken into acts, but it does have a main title cue. It occurs on page 8 and is formatted: TITLE CARD: RESERVATION DOGS in bold on the left side of the page.  

• If you wanted to give a nod to the pilot in your spec, start the script with “FADE IN:” at the top on the right-hand side.  

• Character descriptions are usually done with a parenthetical and are concise and funny.

• The pilot script formats its scene headings with a period after the main location rather than a dash, e.g. – “EXT. SALVAGE YARD. GATE – DAY” or “INT. BEAR’S HOUSE. BEDROOM – DAY” as opposed to “INT. BEAR’S HOUSE – BEDROOM – DAY”  

• Montages or quick shots are noted with a single dash before the line of description. 

• If Bear has an encounter with William Knife Man, the spirit, it’s noted in the scene heading, e.g. “EXT. VILLAGE. VISION SEQUENCE – DAY.” William Knife Man is simply referred to as “Spirit” in the pilot dialogue. See show creator Sterlin Harjo talk about this first vision sequence here.

• The pilot episode ends without a formal “THE END” or “END OF EPISODE.” It’s formatted more like a feature script.  

SUPERMAN & LOIS (The CW) 

Average page count: 48-49 

Average scene count: somewhere in the range of 50-100 

Broken into acts? Yes, six 

Other things to consider:  

• Like most CW shows, Superman & Lois is broken into six acts. Act one is typically the longest, clocking in at 9-13 pages. Act two is around 9 pages. Act three is 6-8. Act four 5-6. Act five 5-6. Act six is 6-9. Again, this averages are not completely set in stone. The most important thing to note is that the acts get shorter as the episode progresses and picks up the pace near its conclusion.

• Somewhere within the first 5 pages of each script is a title cue. This is written right into the description like “we cut to titles” or “we cut to main titles…” The word TITLES or MAIN TITLES is capitalized and bolded.

• The scripts use onomatopoeia in their action description: BOOM!, FLASH!, CRASH! It’s a Superman story after all…

• Act breaks are formatted: ACT ONE / END OF ACT ONE, centered, bolded and underlined.  

• At the end of act six: END OF EPISODE, centered, bolded and underlined.  

• Flashbacks are note in the scene heading, e.g. – “EXT. BADLANDS – DAY – FLASHBACK” (and the world FLASHBACK is in bold. Then all text that is a part of the flashback scene is in italics.  

THE WONDER YEARS (ABC)

Average page count: 26-31

Average scene count: 18-32

Broken into acts? Yes, a cold open + three acts

Other things to consider:

• A staple of The Wonder Years is the main character Dean's voice-over as an adult. This voice over is written "ADULT DEAN (V.O.)" When Dean is a kid, it's just DEAN.

• The scripts are broken into three acts and a cold open. The cold open is 2-6 pages. Acts one, two and three are in the 6-12 page range.... 9 is about average. Keep in mind the third act is usually a little shorter (think 5-6 pages).

• The act breaks are formatted: ACT ONE centered and underlined / END OF ACT ONE centered/bolded and underlined.

• The end of the third act is formatted: END OF SHOW (or END OF EPISODE), centered, bolded, underlined.

• Music cues are a huge part of the show. These are formatted: MUSIC CUE: "Try a Little Tenderness" by Otis Redding in bold. The words MUSIC CUE are in ALL-CAPS. See show creator Saladin K. Patterson discuss writing music cues on The Wonder Years here.

• Flashbacks are simply noted at the end of a scene heading, e.g.: "EXT. WILLIAMS HOUSE - CAR PORT - NIGHT - FLASHBACK"

• Text on screen is noted with a CHYRON.

Until next time, happy writing!

FORMATTING YOUR SPEC SCRIPT WHILE SOCIAL DISTANCING: A PRIMER, PART 16

We’re back for another fun week of formatting pointers for anybody out there who might be working on a spec script! We hope these posts support you as you watch and break down the show you’re spec-ing. As always, we aren’t able to send out scripts in full as we are not the copyright holders, but we hope this primer jump-starts your research and writing. If you have further, more specific questions about the shows covered in this (or any other) formatting post, please e-mail us at library@wgfoundation.org and we can help clarify or provide more info.

BRIDGERTON (Netflix)

Average page count: 58-64

Average scene count: varies, but let’s say 45 to 60

Broken into acts? No

Other things to consider:

• Scripts open without a FADE IN and without much fanfare.

• The prose in Bridgerton scripts is like Dangerous Liaisons meets Scandal or Grey’s Anatomy. The paragraphs are long, emphasizing every sublime detail, but also possessing a certain commentary on the action — like the writer is watching the show with the reader — in a Scandal or Grey’s Anatomy kind of way. 

• While the paragraphs are long, the sentences are short, punchy and often incomplete, making for a very smooth read. 

• Certain actions and emotions are underlined or italicized for emphasis. 

• Most scripts call for the opening title sequence usually around page 3 to 5. This is formatted: BRIDGERTON TITLE SEQUENCE. In CAPITAL letters on the right-hand side. 

• Episodes end: END OF EPISODE, centered and underlined. 

CHICAGO FIRE (NBC)

Average page count: 49-55… more around 52

Average scene count: 47-64

Broken into acts? Yes, 5 acts and a teaser

Other things to consider:

• Scripts begin with CHICAGO FIRE centered and underlined, followed by the title of the episode in quotations, then the teaser. The teaser averages 5-7 pages, formatted: TEASER centered and underlined, then END OF TEASER.

• After the teaser scripts are broken into five acts. On average, the first two acts are a bit longer (10-13 pages), then acts three, four and five tend to average 6-9 pages. 

• Act breaks are formatted ACT ONE / END OF ACT ONE, centered and underlined. At the end of the episode: THE END, centered and underlined. 

• In scene headings, the secondary location is often bolded… See the example below. If FIREHOUSE 51 is the establishing location, HALLWAY will be bolded. 

• This is a high-octane network show. The end of each act typically contains a cliffhanger of some kind. 

NANCY DREW (The CW)

Average page count: around 47

Average scene count: varies 41-63

Broken into acts? Yes, 6

Other things to consider:

• Scripts are broken into six acts. On average the first two acts are 10-11 pages. Acts three and four are 7-8 pages, then acts five and six are 5-6 pages as the episode picks up pace and wraps up.

• The first act is a teaser. Scripts begin with TEASER, centered, bolded and underlined. More or less around page three, there is a main title cue, formatted: TITLE CARD (centered, bolded and underlined). At the end of this teaser/first act: END OF ACT ONE. Then, at the end of act six: END OF EPISODE. 

• The rest of the act breaks are formatted: ACT TWO / END OF ACT TWO, centered, bolded, underlined. 

• The script is full of memory pops and flashes of “Nancy vision.” A memory pop or Nancy Vision is formatted: MEMORY POP or POPS OF NANCY VISION or NANCY VISION in bold and italics, followed by a colon, followed by the description of the memory pop in italics. See example below. 

• Scripts use Nancy’s voice-over narration as a device. 

• As this is a network TV mystery, act breaks are often preceded by act outs or cliffhangers. 

NEW AMSTERDAM (NBC)

Average page count: around 52

Average scene count: 37-55

Broken into acts? Yes, 5

Other things to consider:

• The scripts are broken into five acts. No teaser. No main title cue. Just five acts. As a general rule of thumb, the first act is the longest at 9-16 pages. Acts two and three are around 9-11 pages. Then, acts four and five are shorter as the episode picks up pace and wraps up (5-8 pages or so). 

• Scene headings are underlined. Act headings are underlined and also in bold. ACT ONE / END OF ACT ONE.  Then at the end of the episode, it's END OF EPISODE.

• See in the below example how they sometimes underline notable actions or italicize significant bits of dialogue for emphasis. 

• The writers use act outs in the scripts, often ending acts with cliffhangers or "off of" a character's expression. 

THE OTHER TWO (Comedy Central)

Average page count: 28-29

Average scene count: 20 to 40

Broken into acts?  Yes, 4 and a cold open

Other things to consider:

• Scripts are broken into a cold open and four acts. The cold open is 2-3 pages. Title sequence appears at the end of the cold open. This is formatted: “THE OTHER TWO” TITLE SEQUENCE, centered, bolded, underlined.

• Acts one, two and three are mostly 6-9 pages. Act three is typically the a page or two shorter. Act four is formatted like an act, but it’s only 1-2 two pages long, which makes it feel like a tag.

• Act headings are formatted: ACT ONE / END OF ACT ONE, centered, bolded, underlined. At the end of act four: END OF EPISODE.

• Description is brief and punchy. Lots of white space on the page. The humor and jokes are found in the dialogue. 

• As a viral video star, sometimes Chase sings. Any singing is CAPITALIZED in the dialogue. 

SPACE FORCE (Netflix)

Average page count: 33-35

Average scene count: 25-45 (there’s a big range)

Broken into acts?  No

Other things to consider:

• Scene headings are underlined.

• As with a lot of other comedies, the dialogue is where the humor bubbles. Description is functional and simple. 

• While the scripts are not broken into acts, each script ends with END OF EPISODE or THE END centered and underlined. Sometimes bolded. 

Until next time, happy writing!