Scriptwriting Script Formatting and Industry Standards

Question 1

What is the standard font and size used in US feature film screenplays?

Accepted Answer

Courier 12-point

Answer

Courier 12-point is the industry standard font for screenplays because its fixed-width characters maintain the one-page-per-minute timing convention.

Question 2

In standard US screenplay format, approximately how long should one page of script equal in screen time?

Accepted Answer

One minute

Answer

A properly formatted screenplay page equals approximately one minute of screen time, making page count a reliable estimate of a film's running length.

Question 3

What does 'FADE IN:' indicate at the start of a screenplay?

Accepted Answer

The beginning of the script, transitioning from black to the first image

Answer

FADE IN: is the conventional opening transition of a screenplay, signaling the emergence of the first image from darkness.

Question 4

What is a 'slug line' (scene heading) in a screenplay?

Accepted Answer

The line indicating INT./EXT., location, and time of day for each scene

Answer

A slug line identifies whether a scene is interior or exterior, the location, and the time of day, formatted in ALL CAPS.

Question 5

What is the correct format for a character name in US screenplay dialogue?

Accepted Answer

Centered on the page in ALL CAPS, positioned above their dialogue

Answer

Character names in dialogue blocks are centered, written in ALL CAPS, and placed directly above the character's spoken lines.

Scriptwriting Practice Test

Scriptwriting Practice Test

Scriptwriting Script Formatting and Industry Standards