#LyX 1.2 created this file. For more info see http://www.lyx.org/ \lyxformat 220 \textclass hollywood \language english \inputencoding auto \fontscheme default \graphics default \paperfontsize default \spacing other 0.90 \papersize letterpaper \paperpackage a4 \use_geometry 1 \use_amsmath 0 \use_natbib 0 \use_numerical_citations 0 \paperorientation portrait \leftmargin 1.5in \topmargin 48bp \rightmargin 0.75in \bottommargin 30bp \headheight 12bp \headsep 24bp \footskip 6bp \secnumdepth 2 \tocdepth 2 \paragraph_separation indent \defskip medskip \quotes_language english \quotes_times 2 \papercolumns 1 \papersides 1 \paperpagestyle fancy \layout General [NICHOLL FELLOWSHIPS in SCREENWRITING] \layout General http://www.oscars.org/academy/nichollindex.html \layout General \begin_inset ERT status Open \layout Dialogue \backslash thispagestyle{empty} \end_inset \layout General Formatted text courtesy of Ann Garretson \layout General http://www.halcyon.com/aga \layout General Copyright 1998 by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences \layout General ---------- \layout General FILE NOTES \layout General ---------- \layout General Source: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (A.M.P.A.S.) \layout General - The NICHOLL FELLOWSHIPS in SCREENWRITING \layout General - http://www.oscars.org/nicholl/index.html \layout General - E-mail: Greg Beal, gbeal@oscars.org \layout General File Info: April, 1998 (online) \layout General - http://www.oscars.org/nicholl/format_a.txt \layout General - View in a monospaced font -- preferably 12-point Courier. \layout General Copyright 1998 by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences \layout General ---------- \layout General Permission to use this script as a LyX example file was kindly granted by Greg Beal, gbeal@oscars.org. \layout General I added a few lines at the end of script about binding. The original script ended with the words \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset I'd never let you miss a meal. \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset There were also references to tabs, which don't exist in LyX, so I made minor changes in the text. Apologies and kudos to Ann Garretson. Be sure to thank her when you get your Oscar. \layout General Garst R. Reese \layout General \pagebreak_bottom reese@isn.net \layout Title FOR A FEW DAYS MORE \layout Author \added_space_bottom vfill by \newline April Rider \layout Right Address \pagebreak_bottom April Rider \newline 555 George St. NNW \newline Kaplan, ND 77777 \newline 999-999-9999 \layout FADE IN: \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Joe} \end_inset \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{April} \end_inset \layout General \begin_inset Note collapsed true \layout General Use Layout->Document \layout General Spacing Other to set the spacing between lines. A value of .85 is probably the minimum. \end_inset \layout General \begin_inset Note collapsed true \layout General To change: \layout General \backslash setlength{ \backslash dialogindent}{1in}, \layout General \backslash setlength{ \backslash parenoffset}{.5in}, \layout General \backslash setlength{ \backslash dialogLength}{4in}, \layout General \backslash setlength{ \backslash parenLength}{2in}, \layout General \backslash setlength{ \backslash speakeroffset}{1.2in} \layout General click TeX and enter new values as above. \layout General Parenoffset is the offset to the left of parentheticals from speaker names. \layout General Speakeroffset is the offset to the right of the dialog margin, so changing dialogindent will automatically change the position of parentheticals and speaker names. \end_inset \begin_inset Note collapsed true \layout General You can put your Speaker names in labels, the insert cross references to the labels. The printed version will automatically be capitalized in Speaker even if the label is not capped. This way you can use them in dialogue also, and change all references to your Speaker's names just by changing the label. \end_inset \layout General \begin_inset ERT status Collapsed \layout Dialogue \backslash setlength{ \backslash parenLength}{1.7in} \layout Dialogue \backslash setlength{ \backslash dialogLength}{3.2in} \end_inset \layout INT. DRISKILL HOTEL SEMINAR ROOM - DAY \layout Description JOE and APRIL burst through the doors into a clean, well-lit seminar room \layout General \begin_inset Note collapsed true \layout General Use the description after INT. or EXT. to keep it on the same page. Narrative is the same, except that it allows a pagebreak before it. Notice that I did not use the labels for Joe and April here because they are upper-cased in discriptions only the first time they are used. You could make extra labels, but I think it would be error-prone. \end_inset \layout Speaker \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe} \end_inset \layout Dialogue Are we in time? \layout Speaker \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April} \end_inset \layout Dialogue How could they start without us? We're the main attraction. \layout Narrative \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe} \end_inset catches his breath as he leans against the podium at the front of the room. \layout Speaker \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe} \end_inset \layout Parenthetical looking about the room \layout Dialogue We are? \layout Speaker \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April} \end_inset \layout Dialogue Don't be a moron. You know we've been invited to Austin to discuss script format. \layout Speaker \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe} \end_inset \layout Dialogue But why is the room empty? \layout Narrative \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April} \end_inset and \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe} \end_inset both look out across the room -- rows of empty chairs and nary a person in sight. \layout Speaker \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April} \end_inset \layout Dialogue Okay, okay, don't panic. \layout Narrative She takes three deep breaths. Then she looks at her watch and smiles. \layout Continuing \layout Dialogue We're an hour early. We should rehearse. \layout Speaker \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe} \end_inset \layout Dialogue Okay, you start. Margins? \layout Speaker \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April} \end_inset \layout Dialogue Left, 1.5 inches. Right, 0.75 inches. Top, 1.0 inch to the body, 0.5 inches to the number. Bottom, 0.5 to 1.5 inches, depending on where the page break comes. \layout Speaker \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe} \end_inset \layout Dialogue Page break? \layout Speaker \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April} \end_inset \layout Dialogue Right above me. Rules for breaking a page. Scene headers, like INT., remain attached to Description. If a page breaks between a Speaker and a one sentence Dialogue, move it above the Speaker. A long Dialogue passage would be split -- but I'll get to that later. \layout Speaker \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe} \end_inset \layout Dialogue What about fonts? \layout Speaker \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April} \end_inset \layout Dialogue Courier, 12 point, 10 pitch. Make sure it's a non-proportional version of Courier. \layout Narrative \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe} \end_inset 's grimace suggests that he's deep in thought. \layout Speaker \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe} \end_inset \layout Dialogue What about bold-face or italics? Or a Gothic font? I love to jazz up my scripts. \layout Speaker \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April} \end_inset \layout Dialogue No bold, no itals, no script fonts, no Gothic, no Helvetica, no Times Roman. Stick with Courier. That's the industry standard. \layout Speaker \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe} \end_inset \layout Dialogue Oh, we're talking about industry standards? \layout Narrative Suddenly, \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe} \end_inset bolts from behind the podium and runs out into: \layout INT. DRISKILL HOTEL HALLWAY - DAY \layout Description \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe} \end_inset glances up and down the hallway, then reaches back to open the door. \layout Speaker \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe} \end_inset \layout Parenthetical calling \layout Dialogue \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April} \end_inset -- come on! There's no one here. \layout Speaker \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April} \end_inset \layout Parenthetical walking through the door \layout Dialogue Ah, a scene heading. Or a slug line, as I was taught in film school. Always CAPPED. What happens if we \SpecialChar \ldots{} \layout EXT. TEXAS CAPITOL BUILDING - DAY \layout Description \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe} \end_inset pinches himself as he stands with \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April} \end_inset before the seat of Texas politics. \layout Speaker \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe} \end_inset \layout Dialogue How'd you do that? \layout Speaker \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April} \end_inset \layout Dialogue There was a cut -- from the hallway to the capitol. What'd you want to do -- ride in a cab? \layout Speaker \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe} \end_inset \layout Dialogue Dialogue margins. \layout Speaker \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April} \end_inset \layout Dialogue Left, 3.0 inches. Right, 2.5 inches. Of course, you can cheat those a tad. \layout Dialogue \begin_inset Note collapsed true \layout General These are from the paper edge, but you specify them from \layout General the left margin using dialoglength and dialogIndent. \end_inset \layout Speaker \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe} \end_inset \layout Dialogue So, you have about 3.0 inches for each line of your dialogue? \layout Speaker \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April} \end_inset \layout Dialogue You've got it. Though you can go out another three or four spaces to the right and no one will hold it against you. \layout Narrative \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe} \end_inset jots down several notes on a 3 x 5 card, studies the card for a moment, then scribbles another note. \layout Speaker \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe} \end_inset \layout Parenthetical looking up \layout Dialogue And the position of the speaker's name? \layout Speaker \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April} \end_inset \layout Dialogue All CAPS, and about 2.7 inches from the left margin. Some writers center all the speakers' names. \layout General \begin_inset Note collapsed true \layout General Use More to break up a dialogue across a page boundary. It will put (MORE) at the bottom of the page, and insert the current speaker name and (CONT'D) at the top of the next page. You should not break mid-sentence. \end_inset \layout More \layout Dialogue Personally, I don't think it matters. The look of the script pages is slightly different in either case. \layout Speaker \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe} \end_inset \layout Dialogue Hey, what happened? \layout Speaker \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April} \end_inset \layout Dialogue A page break appeared in the middle of my dialogue. You use (MORE) at the bottom of the page to show that the speaker's dialogue continues onto the next page. Then (CONT'D) next to the speaker to show that it has roots in the previous page. \layout Speaker \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe} \end_inset \layout Dialogue But not everybody uses MOREs and CONT'Ds, do they? \layout INT. CAPITOL BUILDING - DAY \layout Description \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe} \end_inset stares up into the dome. \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April} \end_inset examines the portraits of Texas governors on the nearby walls. \layout Speaker \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April} \end_inset \layout Dialogue Some writers just plan their page ends so as to avoid them. \layout Speaker \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe} \end_inset \layout Parenthetical considering \layout Dialogue What about parentheticals? \layout Speaker \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April} \end_inset \layout Dialogue Start them about a half-inch to the left of the speaker name. In our case that would be at 2.2 inches from the left margin. \layout Speaker \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe} \end_inset \layout Dialogue And what are they for? \layout Speaker \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April} \end_inset \layout Dialogue For years, parentheticals were used to express emotion, the manner in which a speaker spoke her lines. Loudly, passionately, sadly, and so on. In recent years writers have often used them for brief bits of action. \layout Speaker \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe} \end_inset \layout Parenthetical going up a stairway \layout Dialogue Something like this? \layout Speaker \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April} \end_inset \layout Parenthetical following him \layout Dialogue Exactly. \layout Speaker \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe} \end_inset \layout Dialogue How wide are parentheticals? \layout Speaker \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April} \end_inset \layout Dialogue Not very -- about 1.5 inches. And they should wrap to the following line when they extend beyond that point. \layout Parenthetical pointing up to the top of the page \layout Dialogue If you place a parenthetical in the middle of a dialogue passage, it should remain distinct from the dialogue. \layout EXT. MISSISSIPPI RIVERBOAT - NIGHT \layout Description A gambling boat rolls slowly along the mighty river. \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April} \end_inset and \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe} \end_inset wander about its upper deck. \layout Speaker \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe} \end_inset \layout Dialogue I have to ask -- what happened to CUT TO:s between scenes. \layout Speaker \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April} \end_inset \layout Dialogue Many writers still use transitions such as CUT TO: and DISSOLVE TO: between scenes. \layout Speaker \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe} \end_inset \layout Dialogue Those would introduce a new scene header? \layout Speaker \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April} \end_inset \layout Dialogue And typically a different time and/or place. But many writers have dispensed with such transitions, feeling that a new scene header signifies a cut without the need of any additional indicator. \layout Narrative \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe} \end_inset stares out at the river. \layout Speaker \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe} \end_inset \layout Dialogue How did we reach the Mississippi and when did the sun set? \layout Speaker \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April} \end_inset \layout Dialogue If you'd like \SpecialChar \ldots{} \layout EXT. AIRPLANE - SUNSET \layout Description A jet liner cruises East across Texas. \layout INT. AIRPLANE - SUNSET \layout Description A customized interior, replete with lounge chairs and sofas. \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe} \end_inset and \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April} \end_inset sip margaritas. \layout Speaker \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe} \end_inset \layout Dialogue Is this a flashback? \layout Speaker \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April} \end_inset \layout Dialogue Or it could be tomorrow. Or next week. \layout TITLE OVER: October 19, 1997 \layout Continuing \layout General \begin_inset Note collapsed true \layout General Selecting \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset Continuing \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset will insert the current Speaker followed by (continuing) as a parenthetical. Don't worry, it will look right on the printed version. \end_inset \layout Dialogue You see, a few weeks have passed. \layout Speaker \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe} \end_inset \layout Dialogue Okay, I didn't notice. But I thought only DAY and NIGHT were allowed on scene headers. \layout Speaker \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April} \end_inset \layout Dialogue Production managers would certainly prefer it that way, but many writers use headers as a means of showing a particular time of day, especially SUNRISE and SUNSET. \layout Speaker \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe} \end_inset \layout Dialogue So that's allowed? \layout Speaker \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April} \end_inset \layout Dialogue On writer's drafts, without a doubt. \layout Speaker \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe} \end_inset \layout Dialogue A writer's draft? \layout Speaker \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April} \end_inset \layout Dialogue Essentially, any draft that hasn't been paid for. Any draft to be sent to agents, studio execs, production companies, development people. Those are writer's drafts. And they all should be FIRST DRAFTs, no matter how many versions the writer has actually written. \layout Speaker \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe} \end_inset \layout Dialogue You really think so? \layout Speaker \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April} \end_inset \layout Dialogue That's my recommendation. \layout INT. BLUE CAMARO - DAY \layout Description \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April} \end_inset drives along Austin's Congress Avenue as \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe} \end_inset rides shotgun. \layout Speaker \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe} \end_inset \layout Dialogue You speak any foreign languages? \layout Speaker \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April} \end_inset \layout Parenthetical in French \layout Dialogue Why do you ask? (Pour quoi tu demandes?) \layout Speaker \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe} \end_inset \layout Dialogue What about action scenes? \layout Narrative SUDDENLY, A BLACK CADILLAC whips around a corner, racing quickly towards them. \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April} \end_inset punches the accelerator and -- THE BLUE CAMARO leaps forward, leaving a trail of rubber. The Camaro takes a left, then a quick right to accelerate into -- A DARK ALLEY The Camaro quickly reaches a dead end, just as -- THE BLACK CADILLAC pulls into the alley, sealing it shut. \layout EXT. DRISKILL HOTEL DAY \layout Description \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April} \end_inset leads a dazed and confused \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe} \end_inset to the front door. \layout Speaker \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April} \end_inset \layout Dialogue That's one way to do an action scene. It's a variation on the Bill Goldman style that's used by many writers. \layout Speaker \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe} \end_inset \layout Parenthetical coming to \layout Dialogue But other writers just use normal description and standard scene headers for action scenes, don't they? \layout Speaker \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April} \end_inset \layout Dialogue Many do. \layout INT. DRISKILL HOTEL ENTRANCE HALL -- PHONE BOOTH - DAY \layout Description A slightly less dazed \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe} \end_inset speaks on the phone. \layout Speaker \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe} \end_inset \layout Dialogue I thought we were walking together. \layout Speaker \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April} \end_inset (O.S.) \layout Parenthetical filtered \layout Dialogue Well, we were, but I realized a phone call was needed. \layout Speaker \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe} \end_inset \layout Dialogue You're filtered? \layout INTERCUT \layout EXT. STATE CAPITOL PHONE BOOTH - DAY \layout Description With the dome looming large behind her, \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April} \end_inset speaks into the phone. \layout Speaker \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April} \end_inset \layout Dialogue Only when you hear my voice over the phone. Radio voices and phone calls often are filtered, though it's a convention that isn't used by everyone anymore. \layout Speaker \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe} \end_inset \layout Dialogue Let's try something easy. What about page numbers? \layout Speaker \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April} \end_inset \layout Dialogue Number each and every page, though you can start with page two. The numbers should appear in the upper right hand corner, about 0.5 inches down and 0.75 inches from the right page edge. Those dimensions are not set in stone, but page numbers should always be placed in the upper right hand corner. \layout INT. DRISKILL HOTEL HALLWAY - DAY \layout Description \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe} \end_inset walks slowly towards the seminar room. \layout Speaker \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe} \end_inset \layout Dialogue You know, that pronouncement almost seemed godlike. \layout Speaker \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April} \end_inset (V.O.) \layout Dialogue If it were, I probably would have spoken in a voice over and not on the phone. \layout Narrative \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe} \end_inset searches the ceiling, trying to decide just where this disembodied voice is emanating from. \layout Speaker \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe} \end_inset \layout Dialogue What's a V.O. used for? \layout Speaker \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April} \end_inset (V.O.) \layout Dialogue Oftentimes for narration, for a narrator's voice. In film noir the protagonists often filled the audience in on their thoughts or story details. Documentary films are filled with voice over. \layout INT. DRISKILL HOTEL SEMINAR ROOM - DAY \layout Description \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe} \end_inset races past \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April} \end_inset to reach the podium first. \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April} \end_inset walks slowly past the still-empty chairs. \layout Description At the podium \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe} \end_inset gestures with his hands as if he were making a major political speech. \layout Description \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April} \end_inset sneaks up behind him and mimics his movements -- until he notices. \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe} \end_inset spins to confront her. \layout Speaker \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe} \end_inset \layout Dialogue Why I ought'a \SpecialChar \ldots{} \layout Speaker \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April} \end_inset \layout Dialogue I was just demonstrating the way many writers break description into shorter paragraphs. I've seen blocks of description covering an entire page. \layout Speaker \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe} \end_inset \layout Dialogue That makes for tough reading, doesn't it? \layout Speaker \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April} \end_inset \layout Dialogue I know studio readers who just skip long description and read only dialogue. \layout Speaker \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe} \end_inset \layout Dialogue But there are pros who write scripts with extended descriptive passages. \layout Speaker \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April} \end_inset \layout Dialogue When you make a half-million or so per script, you can pretty much use any format you want. \layout Narrative \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe} \end_inset climbs atop the podium. \layout Speaker \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe} \end_inset \layout Dialogue But when you're like me, you have to stick to format. Is that what you're trying to say? \layout Speaker \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April} \end_inset \layout Dialogue That's the story. \layout Narrative \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe} \end_inset jumps down from the podium and runs out the door just as conference ATTENDEES begin to enter. \layout Continuing \layout Dialogue By the way, the first time you introduce a speaker in description, you CAP his name. And when you break dialogue with description, the standard is to place "continuing" within parentheses when a speaker chatters on and on. \layout Narrative \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April} \end_inset watches as a number of people sit down before her. \layout Continuing \layout Dialogue Of course, many writers have dropped "continuing" from their repertoire. I mean, it's obvious that I'm still speaking, isn't it? And that I never stopped speaking. \layout Speaker \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe} \end_inset (O.S.) \layout Parenthetical shouting from beyond the door \layout Dialogue Hey, \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April} \end_inset , c'mon. There's a buffet at the hotel and a shuttle leaving in two minutes. \layout Speaker \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April} \end_inset \layout Parenthetical shouting \layout Dialogue We haven't mentioned master scenes. \layout Narrative A sheepish \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe} \end_inset enters, then glances about the room as he slowly approaches the podium. \layout Speaker \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe} \end_inset \layout Dialogue That one I know. No CLOSEUPS, no WIDE SHOTS, no shots of any sort. Just scene headers, description and dialogue. And no scene numbers. Those are left to shooting scripts. \layout Speaker \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April} \end_inset \layout Dialogue Don't worry, I would never let you miss a meal. Do you know how to make a script sandwich? \layout Speaker \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe} \end_inset \layout Dialogue A script sandwich? \layout Speaker \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April} \end_inset \layout Dialogue You need your script, two sheets of plain manila binding stock, a three hole punch, and three 1.5 inch brass brads. No title or name on the binding stock. When you get it all assembled, you can hammer the brass brads down to make it good and tight. Now lets go eat. \layout FADE OUT \layout Speaker THE END \the_end