COM 2103 Creative Writing
THE BASICS:
• In the most basic terms, a screenplay is a 90-120 page document written in Courier 12pt font on 8 1/2" x 11" bright white three-hole punched paper. Wondering why Courier font is used? It's a timing issue.
• One formatted script page in Courier font equals roughly one minute of screen time. That's why the average page count of a screenplay should come in between 90 and 120 pages.
• Comedies tend to be on the shorter side (90 pages, or 1 ½ hours) while Dramas run longer (120 pages, or 2 hours).
A BLUEPRINT:
• A screenplay can be an original piece, or based on a true story or previously written piece, like a novel, stage play or newspaper article.
• At its heart, a screenplay is a blueprint for the film it will one day become.
• Professionals on the set including the producer, director, set designer and actors all translate the screenwriter's vision using their individual talents.
• Since the creation of a film is ultimately a collaborative art, the screenwriter must be aware of each person's role and as such, the script should reflect the writer's knowledge.
FORMATTING
• The top, bottom and right margins of a screenplay are 1". The left margin is 1.5". The extra half-inch of white space to the left of a script page allows for binding with brads, yet still imparts a feeling of vertical balance of the text on
the page.
• The entire document should be single-spaced.
• The very first item on the first page should be the words FADE IN:. Note: the first page is never numbered. Subsequent page numbers appear in the upper right hand corner, 0.5" from the top of the page, flush right to the margin.
SCENE HEADING
• Indent: Left: 0.0" Right: 0.0" Width: 6.0"
• A scene heading is a one-line description of the location and time of day of a scene, also known as a "slugline." It should always be in CAPS.
• Example: EXT. WRITERS STORE - DAY reveals that the action takes place outside The Writers Store during the daytime.
SUBHEADER
• Indent: Left: 0.0" Right: 0.0" Width: 6.0"
• When a new scene heading is not necessary, but some distinction needs to be made in the action, you can use a subheader.
• But be sure to use these sparingly, as a script full of subheaders is generally frowned upon.
• A good example is when there are a series of quick cuts between two locations, you would use the term INTERCUT and the scene locations.
CHARACTER
• Indent: Left: 2.0" Right: 0.0" Width: 4.0"
• When a character is introduced, his name should be capitalized within the action. For example: The door opens and in walks LIAM, a thirty-something hipster with attitude to spare.
• A character's name is CAPPED and always listed above his lines of dialogue. Minor characters may be listed without names, for example "TAXI DRIVER" or "CUSTOMER."
DIALOGUE
• Indent: Left: 1.0" Right: 1.5" Width: 3.5"
• Lines of speech for each character. Dialogue format is used anytime a character is heard speaking, even for off-screen and voice-overs.
EXTENSION
• Placed after the character's name, in parentheses
• An abbreviated technical note placed after the character's name to indicate how the voice will be heard onscreen
• For example, if the character is speaking as a voice-over, it would appear as LIAM (V.O.).
TRANSITION
• Indent: Left: 4.0" Right: 0.0" Width: 2.0"
• Transitions are film editing instructions, and generally only appear in a shooting script. Transition verbiage includes:
– CUT TO:
– DISSOLVE TO:
– SMASH CUT:
– QUICK CUT:
– FADE TO:
SHOTS
• Indent: Left: 0.0" Right: 0.0" Width: 6.0"
• A shot tells the reader the focal point within a scene has changed. Like a transition, there's rarely a time when a spec screenwriter should insert shot directions. Once again, that's the director's job.
Examples of Shots:
– ANGLE ON --
– EXTREME CLOSE UP --
– PAN TO --
– LIAM'S POV --
THE BEDROOM
FADE IN:
The symmetry. People in black have gathered. A woman walks towards a man (Darcy).
Woman
What happened suddenly? You seemed to be a happy couple. Why would she hang herself?
Darcy
I do not know madam. I do not know.
Darcy recalls the afternoon he broke in his house. It was yellow, bright, and naked.
Darcy
(To himself)
She had a crude smile indeed.
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
1 EXT. A LAVISH BEDROOM – PURPLE WALLPAPER, SOFT LIGHT
A man and a woman sleeping on the bed. The alarm rings. The man reluctantly moves a little in the blanket. The alarm rings for the second time and the woman slowly wakes up and sits covering herself in the blanket and attempts to wake the man up.
Woman (Lolita)
(in a husky voice)
Wake up honey. Its already 9.
Man (Darcy)
Why do you bother?
Silence for a few seconds.
Lolita
Please wake up. I don’t want you to do your breakfast hastily.
The man wakes up ruggedly. Walks towards the washroom. The woman stares for a few seconds then closes her eyes.
Darcy
(from the bathroom)
I will just have a cup of coffee and a poach.
Lolita
Yes honey.
FADE OUT:
2 EXT. FADE IN
A well-furnished kitchen. The woman near the stove making coffee and the husband walks in. He notices her near the stove and take a glance at his wife and then looks at the knife lying on the table.
Lolita
Are you sure, you will just have eggs?
Darcy
(Mumbling)
I will rather have your intestines in red sauce on my breakfast plate
Lolita
Honey? Are you there?
Darcy
Yeah. And a cup of coffee.
Wife brings breakfast on the table. The man ready for office starts having his coffee.
Darcy
Will you remain home all day? Do you plan to go to Nancy’s boutique?
Lolita
No. I will finish the book I started last night. I don’t feel like going out. This pregnancy thing is a mess. It has started bothering me.
Darcy
You wanted this baby. Am I wrong?
Lolita
Don’t misunderstand me honey. I am just depressed of morning sickness. I am not complaining. I want my baby. I have waited so long.
Darcy
Even I had similar assumptions. Anyway enjoy your book. I need to leave right now.
Lolita
Try to come back sooner.
Darcy
(Mumbles)
Soon enough to see you in bed.
Darcy
Ha ha. Okay honey.
FADE OUT:
3 EXT. FADE IN
The man working in his desk. Typing over the keyboard. Suddenly stops. His face becomes yellow. Drops of perspiration evolves on his forehead.
Darcy
(In a hasty voice)
She is cheating. She is cheating on me.
Looks at the reports that the hired detective has mailed him. A photograph of a bedroom is visible over the computer screen. it is the bedroom with purple wallpaper. The picture does not have clarity but he can identify his wife sitting on the bed and a man having a cigarette sitting naked in front of her.
Darcy
(Mumbles)
Yes it is you. I know it is you. You are making a fool out of me.
(Voice over)
Mr. Raynolds! The boss is calling you! Are you sleeping?
Man wakes up suddenly. He fell asleep over the desk. The computer screen is dark and he clicks a key. There is nothing over the screen. He sees the same old wallpaper and absurdly smiles.
(Voice over)
Are you coming?
Darcy
In a minute Miss Jones!
FADE OUT:
4 EXT.
A bedroom. Purple wallpaper. A woman lying naked on the bed and a man sketching her.
The painter(Joe)
You don’t look the same as you used to. Have your husband noticed the change yet?
Woman (Lolita)
Why would you even mention him? He is behaving weirdly though!
Joe
What weird? Doubting you! Ain’t he!
Lolita
No.. I mean he just had two eggs this morning and asked me whether I am visting Nancy’s or not!
Joe
What is weird about it? You are just suffering from your own sense of guilt!
Lolita frowns and lit a cigarette. Seeks for her gown.
Joe
I am not done yet! What the hell are you doing!
Lolita
I am! You won’t like to paint a sinner. Will you?
Joe
I was just pulling your leg since you are bothered about Paul’s behaviour and please stop smoking. It is not good for our child.
Lolita bursts out laughing and takes a drag and then suddenly she becomes weirdly silent.
Joe
What’s the matter?
Lolita
Umm. I won’t bear this child anymore. I thought it would have been a heavenly feeling to have your child in me. But it does not feel any different than the last time I became pregnant.
Joe
You had conceived before? I did not know that.
Lolita
There are many things you are yet to know baby. It was last year and we..He got it aborted. We were not ready for such responsibility!
Joe
Eh? And now you are? This man is a mess I tell you. I think he is a sociopath!
Lolita
Now I am not. I will get things done on my own way.
Joe
What is the matter with you? Sometimes I don’t recognize you. you seem to be a completely different entity altogether.
Lolita
You can not comprehend me Joe. Even Darcy fails. He has failed throughout. I was ready to have my child. I was.
Joe
Now you can. You have everything you wanted. I have given you everything.
Lolita smiles and walks out of the bed. At the window she stands still looking at the scorching noon. Looks down at the busy street and moving vehicles. The speed astonishes her. She moves back.
Lolita
(Mutters slowly)
I do not want this child Joe. You do not understand me.
Joe
(Anxiously)
What do you mean? What do you intend to do? Abort it?
Lolita
In my own way
FADE OUT:
FADE IN
5 EXT.
Darcy walks through the street. He is coming back home.
Darcy
(Thinking)
If I kill her now, it will be my third murder. I have killed my child. Now I will kill Lolita and her child. It is not my child obviously.
A car passes by
(Voice over)
Watch out buddy!
Darcy
(To himself)
I must kill her. I must end this sin right now.
FADE OUT
FADE IN
6 EXT.
The bedroom. The same purple wallpaper. Low light. Lolita is looking at the mirror and touching her belly.
Lolita
(Within herself)
Should I jump off the building? Isn’t it too cliché? Or should I cut my wrist and smear in my blood? A glorifying death it will be indeed.
[Door bell rings]
FADE OUT
FADE IN
7 EXT.
Dining room. Darcy and Lolita are sitting. They are having dinner together. The recorder is playing blues. The table is empty to some extent. Their faces are visible.
Darcy
Did you finish your book? How much have you read?
Lolita
I have not darling. It needs one more day I guess. Would you pass me the salt?
Darcy looks for the saltcellar and passes to Lolita.
Darcy
What is the book all about?
Lolita looks at him. She mumbles and seeks word. She can not think of a book. Not a single one she had read in her entire life.
Lolita
Suicide
Darcy
Suicide or homicide? Are you reading thrillers? Sidney Sheldon?
He bursts into crude laugh. The uncomforting laugh bothers Lolita. She struggles with her spoon.
Lolita
Conan Doyle
Darcy
I see.
FADE OUT
[ Scene is in the bedroom. Lolita is sleeping and Darcy is awake. Silence prevails]
FADE IN
8 EXT.
Darcy is walking through the streets in the broad day light.
Darcy
(contemplates)
Let me go back home I would surely not find her alone. What if she is alone? Then I would give her flowers. Let me buy the flowers first.
Darcy seeks for a flower shop frantically.
FADE OUT
FADE IN
9 EXT.
Lolita’s bedroom. She is combing her hair. Sitting naked over a chair. She is scrutinizing herself in the mirror. Playing with her hair. She keeps the comb away and then touches the belly.
Lolita
You will be mine forever. No one can take you away from me my child. Not even the man who implanted your seed in me. I will take you away.
[Lolita stands up. She goes to the windowpane and looks at the road.]
[Door bell rings]
Lolita is scared.
Lolita
Who can it be? It is surely not Darcy. Joe? Is it Joe?
Lolita takes her gown and wraps it around. She takes a glance at herself in the mirror and moves towards the door.
[Door bell rings again]
Lolita
Who is this?
Joey
(Voice over)
It’s me
Lolita opens the door. Joey breaks in and head towards the bedroom. Lolita stops her.
Joey
What’s the matter?
Lolita
Nothing. What do you need?
Joey
What do you mean? What is the matter with you? Are you fine? You look shattered and scared.
Lolita
It’s nothing. What the hell do you want?
Joey
Why are you behaving in such a odd manner?
Lolita
It is nothing Joey. I am just scared that Darcy might come.
Joey
Why are you scared? He is at office. He can’t come now. You know that too.
Lolita
There is nothing certain Joey. Anything can happen and why are you here on the first place? You did not inform me that you are coming!
Joey
I want to finish your portrait. That is why. Honey what is the matter?
Lolita
Um.. Joey please leave now. I do not feel like sitting naked for an hour in front of you.
Joey
I see its your hormones speaking!
Lolita
Leave! Now!
Joey
It is not right Lolita. You could have told me what is the issue. Anyway give me a call when you feel like. I am worried.
Lolita
Sure.
Lolita shuts the door and goes back to her room.
FADE OUT
FADE IN
10 EXT.
Lolita comes in her bedroom. Looks at the mirror.
Lolita
(Talking to herself)
Do you like swing my child? Will you like swing? Or do you like to slide? Are your blood red as mine?
FADE OUT
FADE IN
11 EXT.
Darcy is walking on the streets. He has finally found a flower shop. He bought lilacs for Lolita and slowly moves forward towards his house.
Darcy
(Speaking to himself)
She would look beautiful smeared in blood and naked. The bed sheet would have gone dirty. It is dirty already though. The man has made my bed dirty.
Darcy reaches his house.
Darcy
(Speaking to himself)
I should use the key instead.. otherwise they will get time to hide themselves.
Darcy takes out the key and opens the door and heads towards the bedroom.
Darcy
(numb)
Darcy remains speechless as he finds Lolita hanging from the ceiling. She does not have a thread on her body except for the gown entangling her neck.
(FADE OUT)
(The end)
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Pages: 4
Words: 890