Scriptwriting Script Formatting and Industry Standards 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the standard page length for a feature film screenplay?
- 90–120 pages (Correct answer)
- 60–80 pages
- 130–150 pages
- 50–70 pages
Correct answer: 90–120 pages
Feature screenplays are typically 90–120 pages, corresponding to the standard 90–120 minute theatrical running time.
Question 2: What is a 'spec script' in the US film industry?
- A screenplay written on speculation without a studio commission or payment (Correct answer)
- A technical specification document accompanying a produced script
- A script written specifically for a sequel
- A short-form script for a TV pilot
Correct answer: A screenplay written on speculation without a studio commission or payment
A spec script is written independently by a screenwriter to demonstrate their voice and skill, without a studio contract or guarantee of payment.
Question 3: What does 'INT.' mean in a screenplay slug line?
- Interior — the scene takes place inside a building or enclosed space (Correct answer)
- International — the scene takes place in a foreign country
- Intermission — a break in the story
- Intense — the scene has high dramatic stakes
Correct answer: Interior — the scene takes place inside a building or enclosed space
INT. designates an interior scene, informing the director, crew, and reader that the action occurs inside.
Question 4: What is a 'transition' in screenplay formatting?
- A direction indicating how one scene moves to the next, such as CUT TO: or DISSOLVE TO: (Correct answer)
- Stage directions between dialogue blocks
- A plot shift midway through the script
- The change between acts in a three-act structure
Correct answer: A direction indicating how one scene moves to the next, such as CUT TO: or DISSOLVE TO:
Transitions are formatting directions (CUT TO:, DISSOLVE TO:, SMASH CUT TO:) that tell the reader and editor how one scene visually transitions to the next.
Question 5: What does 'WGA' stand for and why is it relevant to US screenwriters?
- Writers Guild of America — the union that represents and protects US film and TV writers (Correct answer)
- Writing and Grammar Association — a style guide for scripts
- Worldwide Genre Association — a genre classification body
- Writers Guild of Australia — an international body
Correct answer: Writers Guild of America — the union that represents and protects US film and TV writers
The WGA is the US labor union for professional screenwriters, governing minimum pay (WGA minimums), credits, residuals, and working conditions.
Question 6: In a US screenplay, where are scene numbers placed?
- On both the left and right margins next to each slug line, in shooting scripts only (Correct answer)
- At the top of each page
- Before the character name in dialogue blocks
- At the bottom of each scene's action block
Correct answer: On both the left and right margins next to each slug line, in shooting scripts only
Scene numbers appear beside slug lines on both left and right margins, but only in shooting scripts—not in spec scripts submitted for consideration.
Scriptwriting Script Formatting and Industry Standards 2
What is the standard page length for a feature film screenplay?