Screenplay Formatting Basics Final Draft

Screenwriters must know screenplay formatting basic and since Final Draft is the most widely used screenwriting software, it's a great place to begin. Final Draft offers a 30 day free trial and the cost to purchase is not bad at all. In this video I will cover screenplay formatting basics - including, the action line, characters & dialogue, voice over (v.o.) vs. off screen (O.S.), parentheticals, saving to pdf, and I mention dashes, why we format that way we do, and some other important information. You don't have to use Final Draft, of course, any program that automatically formats for you is great. You can even set up a template in word (but why?). The screenplay formatting basics I cover is 99% of everything you need to know about proper formatting. If you're just starting out and want to try a different program, let me know in the comment area. I'll post a basics video on several other programs soon - the free versions - so subscribe if you want to know when those drop. Let me know if you have any questions. Now go write that masterpiece! The world needs it.

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About Dawn ....
Dawn holds an MFA in Screenwriting from UCLA, and an MA in English/Creative Writing. She’s taught at UCLA and University of the Pacific, as well as workshop events. She’s thrilled to watch her students win screenwriting accolades, but more than that – she loves to inspire them and watch that transfer to the page.

She’s had the honor of working with, and learning from amazing filmmakers like Dustin Lance Black (MILK), Bobby Moresco (CRASH), Paula Wagner (MISSION IMPOSSIBLE), and Wolfgang Petersen (THE PERFECT STORM).

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[Dawn_Spinella]

I spelled parenthetical wrong... always use spellcheck!

[PaladinsCollectives]

Very helpful. I have been looking for an explanation of the proper use of the Action Line. e.g. What should and should not be included. Your explanation was perfect! (Paint a Picture of the Action for the Reader) Thank you! 🥰

[HansonASMR]

This instructional video serves as a beginner's guide to the Final Draft screenwriting program, covering essentials like action lines, dialogue, voiceovers (VO), off-screen directions, parentheticals, and exporting scripts.

Starting from scratch, the presenter demonstrates creating a new document, where "Untitled screenplay" appears at the top. A title is given, "My Favorite Story", which is auto-formatted to be capitalized and underlined. On the title page, instead of an address, an email or a representative's contact information is suggested for privacy and professionalism.

The tutorial progresses to scene construction, where terms like 'Fade In, ' slug lines (scene headings), and the necessity of specifying interior or exterior are explained, emphasizing how this information aids the film crew in preparation and budgeting. The video emphasizes simplicity and clarity in writing, highlighting that the script is a blueprint and not an exhaustive description.

The Action Line is where characters' actions are described. The video suggests writing in a way that evokes the tone and genre without overburdening with details, leaving room for creative departments to contribute. Characters are introduced with capitalized names, and age and physical descriptions are added sparingly and where relevant.

Dialogue is introduced with the Tab key, centering the character's name automatically. For dialogue that requires special delivery, parentheticals are used sparingly beneath the character's name to provide direction.

The distinction between VO and off-camera directions is clarified: VO is used for narrations over the action, and off-camera for voices heard without seeing the speaker. A demonstration of a creature's voiceover sets up a scene transition, revealing the creature's backstory.

In a practical twist, the instructor discusses script editing and adding new scene headings using dropdown menus. An important takeaway is to let visuals and actions suggest the scene's mood, rather than elaborate descriptions.

As the tutorial wraps up, it revisits the title page to ensure it's saved and explains how to export the script as a PDF for sharing or submission to contests. Final Draft files (FDX) are shared with other Final Draft users, especially useful during production.

This introductory guide to Final Draft is designed to help beginners understand the core functionalities of the software and start writing their screenplays efficiently, with a focus on clarity, brevity, and proper formatting crucial for industry standards.

[Neroda]

Great video! I'm about to start writing a screenplay with a friend and we've never used Final Draft before so these tips are clutch as well as understanding basic screen writing etiquette!

[JudiChristopher]

Question:
1) I have noticed that a lot of screenplays, (I study them, I have 33 right now on my King Size Bed, A.K.A. office/table) ... that a lot of screenplays do not use the "Fade In" anymore.... or "Fade to Black"... do you find that it is okay if you don't use that a lot... may at the beginning and at the end?

2) I noticed at 5:07 that you said, "... we only have 90 pages..."
Does this mean we can only write 90 and nothing longer?
Can we make our movie longer, because the norm is 115 to 120 pages for a full length movie and the new movies today... are ridiculously long like 180 pages... way (too long).

3) 8:05... you write, ... WE see it!
I have always been told NOT to (example: Now WE see... ) or putting the reader in the description... This is NOT a Shooting Script.
In a Shooting script that is when the description is told, like where the camera will be.

4) 9:07... you wrote... She slams around ... SCREAMS...

That is an ACTION... Screams should be under her NAME... SALLY in parentheticals.

SALLY
(Screams)


5) Did you notice that in the first description of Action that you used the word
"FINALLY" 4 times... redundant.

*Finally she uses the wall
*We Finally see the fear...
*When she Finally sees her reflections
*Finally, she sees it...

6) Creature?
No description at all.
What kind of creature?
Big, small, TALL..
Is the Creature a male or a female?
What does it look like...
What does it smell like...
Why is it scary... Is it scary?

7) At the bottom right, shouldn't you put ... Cont.
For continuing the action to the next page?

8) At the very top left on the second page:
Should have... Cont. ..showing it is continued from the first page?

What screenplays have you written and published?
I would love to read them.

Thank you for sharing this video

[keepdreamin]

Hi. Is it double or triple space writing an EXT. line after an INT. line? Do you always separate lines under an EXT. or INT. line? Or do you combine them?

[juliusanderson]

How do I format a scene that takes place in many locations?

[keepdreamin]

How do you write INTERCUT WITH: in a script?

[JudiChristopher]

"Save the Cat" book... I threw that in the TRASH
There is NOT one example of what a screenplay looks like in that book. Sad.

Buy (copies) not originals of Screenplays... for TV and Movies and Study them
I buy mine off eBay... you'll be amazed how different they are... especially the old ones.
One of the BEST books to buy is "Screenplay: The foundations of screenwriting" Syd Field.

Study (copies) of screenplays by screenwriters that have WON an Oscar... like Christopher Nolan

[cs]

Long information on how to write a page. Anyone can write a script! There are no basics here! It would have been enough if you gone as far as the beat board.