BLOG QUESTION ADV: SCREENPLAY FORMATTING P. 2

 explain what each of the following parts of a script is and why they are essential:

DUAL DIALOG: When two characters are speaking at the same time, you should put their dialogue next to each other on the script. Most script-writing software will do this for you. There are some special cases, such as characters with a dual identity or characters that have names that aren't revealed until later, but they follow the same rules as any character and would just be introduced with their regular names above their dialogues. This is essential because it keeps the dialogue organized and easier to digest for the readers.

DAY OR NIGHT/DAWN & DUSK: You don't have to specify what specific time of day it is in the headings, unless it specifically takes place during sunrise/sunset, and if it does, you would put dawn/dusk. If you're writing about a place that exists with no time (such as space), you just put the location down. This is essential because it tells important details about the time of day a scene takes place and it can be used to plan production times.

CAMERA NOTATIONS: Unless this is critical to the story, you don't have to figure out or include camera notations, as it's the cinematographer's job. If you have a specific shot in mind, carefully craft your language in the action description so that the choice of shot is more unavoidable (ex. describing someone's hands reaching down would most likely result in a CU). This can be useful for directors who have a specific vision in mind for the story, even if they don't have too much control over the shotlist.

MUSIC CUES: Unless it's crucial for the story, you don't have to include this. If you need to, you would write it at the top of the scene (ex. Ave Maria plays as xyz). This could be useful for films such as musicals, or anything that relies heavily on music being played.

I found the Dual Dialogue rules the most interesting because it also goes into details about unique character types, such as characters that have two identities or characters that are "unknown" until later in the story.