Aaaand we’re back with yet more formatting pointers for anybody out there who might be working on a spec script. These posts are not meant to be comprehensive or definitive, but rather to help as you watch and break down a show on your own. We aren’t able to send out scripts in full as we are not the copyright holders, but we hope these primers help to jumpstart your spec research. As always, if you have further or more specific questions about any of the shows covered in these posts, feel free to e-mail us at library@wgfoundation.org.
BATWOMAN (HBO Max)
Average page count: 46-49
Average scene count: 52-61 (Really, it varies)
Broken into acts? Yes, six
Other things to consider:
Scene heading are underlined.
Act headings are centered, bolded and underlined. ACT ONE / END OF ACT ONE
At the end of the episode, it’s END OF EPISODE centered, bolded and underlined.
Flashbacks are written in italics. Include FLASHBACK (in bold) at the end of scene heading as well as a parenthetical with the year or time period of the flashback. See example below.
The scripts are broken into six acts. The first act is often the longest, clocking in at 11-13 pages. Subsequent acts are shorter as the story picks up pace (anywhere between 5-10 pages). The sixth and final act is often shortest (4-5 pages).
Scripts do not include a teaser, but there is always a main title cue around page 3. This is formatted simply: TITLE CARD in bold on the left-hand side of the page.
Acts often end with act-outs, i.e. - cliffhangers, new realizations, etc.
Description is punchy, quick. Lots of incomplete sentences and tongue-in-cheek expressions.
DAVID MAKES MAN (OWN)
Average page count: 52 more or less
Average scene count: 43 (Again, this varies)
Broken into acts? Yes, 5 acts + a teaser
Other things to consider:
The show uses standard network structure — five acts and a teaser.
Act headings are centered, bolded and underlined. ACT ONE / END OF ACT ONE …. TEASER / END OF TEASER.
The average teaser length is six pages. The second and third acts are a bit longer, averaging 11-12 pages. Acts four and five average 6-8 pages. Keep in mind, these averages are meant to provide a loose framework. They are not absolute, hard-and-fast rules.
Description is incredibly detailed and nuanced. Don’t be afraid to write long paragraphs that explain the visuals.
When a character first appears in the script, their name is capitalized, but also BOLDED. Scripts will often list a characters’ gender pronouns.
The show includes elements of magic realism. Sometimes these elements are presented in italics in the script.
SEARCH PARTY (TBS / HBO Max)
Average page count: 28-30
Average scene count: 25-35
Broken into acts? Yes, four + a cold open
Other things to consider:
Before we move forward, know that — as of this posting — we only have first season scripts for Search Party in the library. We’re not 100% sure if formatting for the show evolved when it moved from TBS to HBO Max. Do your best to watch the show and make a best guess.
Scene headings are in BOLD.
Scripts are broken into four acts and a cold open. Act headings are centered and underlined. ACT ONE / END OF ACT ONE. At the end of the fourth act: END OF EPISODE.
The cold open is 2-ish pages. It begins COLD OPEN centered and underlined. The cold open ends with a title card cue. This is formatted: TITLE: SEARCH PARTY in bold, underlined and centered. SEARCH PARTY is in italics. See example below.
The scripts are dialogue-heavy. Lots of white space on the page.
Text seen on screen is italicized or sometimes capitalized.
Scenes and acts often end with discoveries, revelations and questions. The show is about a mystery, after all!
UNDONE (Netflix)
Average page count: 27-33
Average scene count: varies
Broken into acts? No
Other things to consider:
While the episodes can be very surreal, the writing is simple and direct. The background visuals are not described in great detail so don’t worry about what the art and environments look like. Keep it simple.
Sometimes an elipsis leads us from one scene to another, especially if it's a time or place shift.
The scripts aren’t broken into acts. A few scripts note a title cue. When this happens, it’s formatted “MAIN TITLE: UNDONE” on the left side of the page in bold. Occasionally, it’s simply “TITLE” in bold.
Scene headings are also in bold.
Scene headings for scenes that take place in the past contain the year to indicate it's the past, i.e. Halloween 2002. They don’t use the term flashback. The characters in these past scenes are Young Alma, Young Becca, Younger Camila and Past Jacob.
ZOEY’S EXTRAORDINARY PLAYLIST (NBC)
Average page count: 44
Average scene count: 32-40
Broke into acts? Yes, six
Other things to consider:
Scripts are broken into six acts. The first act is lengthier — 10-12 pages. The subsequent acts are fewer pages (4-7) as the story picks up the pace.
Act headings are centered and underlined, e.g. - ACT ONE / END OF ACT ONE. At the end of the episode: END OF EPISODE, centered, underlined (and sometimes bolded).
The first act often ends with a main title cue, often preceded by Zoey saying a profane word, which is bleeped out, then SMASH TO or CUT TO “opening title: ZOEY’S INFINITE PLAYLIST” in quotes, capitalized and bolded as in the example below. Sometimes the main title cue happens in the middle of act one, but this is less common.
The writing is full of cuts / smashes and scene transitions…. On the right side of the page.
Sometimes there will be parenthetical “notes” in italics for complicated visuals, etc. as seen in the example below.
As this is a musical, sung text is in all CAPITAL LETTERS, but it’s not formatted like regular dialogue. In terms of tabbing, it goes back as far the description. Note the difference in the example below between Tobin’s singing and Zoey’s dialogue.
Significant action, sounds, etc. are CAPITALIZED for emphasis. Emotion is sometimes italicized for emphasis.
Until next time…. Happy writing!