Playwriting 101: Formatting

Welcome to Playwriting 101 with Julia Fisher! There are a variety of ways to format your play, and today we'll be going over one specific style to make sure your script looks polished and professional!

[@zaiah9252]

I’m entering into a 10-minute play competition. Thanks! This helps out very much!

[@hhha3010]

THANK YOU SO MUCH! In theater I had a one act assignment and I couldn’t find the instructions and forgot how to format it because it’s a lot to remember and this video was so easy to follow and helpful! ♥️

[@Jsanc2075]

Thanks to this video I got my play started today. You're a god send 💖

[@JuliaMakesTheatre]

I'm so glad! Best of luck with your play!

[@ananym0us]

How's it going

[@JasonCeasar]

Incredibly helpful video! I have been so used to writing in the Screenplay format using premade programs and was nervous to switch over/do the formatting by myself but you make it so seamless! Keep up the great work!

[@olumuyiwalafe7768]

Thank you so much for covering the basics so effectively.

[@JuliaMakesTheatre]

I'm glad you found it helpful! Thanks for watching!

[@VicfromOregon]

Sweet! Thank you so much, Julia! Watching your tutorial, formatting is starting to make sense ;-)

[@J.B24]

Thank you for making this video. Did google update this b/c the the CTRL ] method for tabbing stage directions doesn't seem to be working.

[@John-zp3lf]

Hello Julia! Just watched you video and thought it was very helpful. Can you do another like it for an update or is this format still stand? I'm trying to write a musical play. Is it the same format? I'm using final draft and have no idea if I'm doing it right but I'm thinking of using docs like in your vid. Thanks!

[@JAWS171]

So so so helpful, thank you!

[@AndrodWorldMedia]

Why do some instructions say 5 tabs to character name and others say 6 tabs? Why not just CENTER. Also why do some formats have STAGE directions in parentheses AND ALSO italicized? Btw, on my MS WORD, CTRL ] or } only changes FONT size. Just trying to get the right current format in preparations for a submission. Thanks JULIA!!!

[@WATurner]

This is great information. One thing you didn't cover is how to describe a scene or setting. Would it be before the scene action? Is it in all caps? How many spaces in? Thanks in advance!

[@JuliaMakesTheatre]

Hey! That's a great question, and sorry for my delayed response. It depends on the formatting system you're using (there are a number of different formatting systems now that are acceptable to literary managers and readers), but for the system I use in this video, I would recommend doing it at the beginning of a scene, before the action, in the same way that you would type any other stage direction. For example, in the sample play I use here, the scene description would be where I have the line (At rise, Ms. Fisher is sitting at her laptop.). Just a note too that this is different in film/TV - they have a different, very specific formatting system. Hope this helps!

[@respiess]

I'm using a macbook air 2023 and when using either the control ] or the command ] it doesn't stop the text from returning to the left indent? Not sure why this function isn't working?

[@AlessandroCecconi]

hi, sorry I'm unfamiliar with this playwriting formatting cause in Italy we just have "write it however you like" LOL but I want to try to use this formatting anyway, and I see a lot of play scripts have the characters listed if not on the cover page on the page right after that, how does that work? Cause I think it's also useful for the actors to see the characters all listed on the front page (as an actor myself I find this extremely useful lol), any help?

[@odrypelaez9035]

Hi! Is that possible to write two stages directions in a dialogue? Is it correct?

[@liam89th]

Where should you put the list of characters?

[@JuliaMakesTheatre]

Hey! Usually the character list goes at the beginning. You have a cover page, then a page (or multiple pages) with your character list, any necessary setting descriptions, a list of songs if it’s a musical, any notes from the playwright, etc. If you’re submitting to a contest/festival/etc., you should check their rules because they sometimes have specific formatting for those first few pages of your play. But in general, all that info goes after your cover page and before the first page of your script. I hope that helps! :)

[@liam89th]

@@JuliaMakesTheatre Thank you kindly. Much appreciated.

[@Zaflon]

Thankyou So Much! X x x x x

[@frostproductions]

then at 3:33 my docs doesn't have that little menu showing the numbers is there a way to make it display that?

[@roro28818]

Hi! I had a question for u. I saw 2 ways on how to write a play n ur way is one of em. But, is it way the RIGHT WAY?? No disrespect at all. I'm just nervous n scared about writing my first play

[@JuliaMakesTheatre]

Hi! I'm so glad you're writing your first play! Right now, I wouldn't worry too much about formatting. Just focus on writing! If/when you eventually want to submit your play to a competition or something like that, you will want to make sure you are following some kind of formatting. There is not necessarily one RIGHT way - I even use a few different types of formatting depending on what I'm working on. Some contests/theatres will ask for a very specific kind of formatting (like the Samuel French guidelines here: shop.samuelfrench.com/content/files/upload/General%20SFI%20Formatting%20Guidelines%20Complete.pdf), but the most important thing is just to be consistent. The formatting that I show here is a great starting point for a new playwright, but just have fun and enjoy writing! :)

[@ItWILLbeWONDERFUL_THERE]

@@JuliaMakesTheatre Hi Julia. That link doesn't seem to be working. Again, though, thank you for the formatting advice. I'm posting it on my facebook page.

[@JuliaMakesTheatre]

@@ItWILLbeWONDERFUL_THERE Thanks for catching that! Here are the same guidelines on a different website: www.playwrightslocal.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Samuel-French-Formatting-Guide.pdf

[@darlawarrior]

@Juliamakestheatre. Hello. Great video. Do you have a video that teaches how to format the script so the characters' name will follow his/her dialog to the next page rather than hanging out by itself on the previous page? Sorry, if this is confusing. I wasn't sure how to describe the whole thing.

[@JuliaMakesTheatre]

Hi, Darla! I know exactly what you're talking about. Unfortunately, I don't think there is a way to format that in Word or Google Docs - the only way I know how to do that is by using an actual script formatting program (or by doing it yourself after your final final draft, which is not fun and I do not recommend lol). If you google "script formatting programs" you should be able to find lots of lists of programs, and some are free or have free trials. :)

[@ParanormalShortStory]

After you have written a stage direction, using the bracket method, how do you get back to the left alignment for new dialogue? Thank you for this!

[@JuliaMakesTheatre]

You can just use the command or control button, then the right bracket! That will do the opposite of the left bracket, and take you back in the other direction. :)

[@davidnevils4676]

What format do you use for writing?

[@ana._.claraz]

This is a wonderful video! Also, your voice kinda reminds me of Jenna Fischer -- it's even better because you [almost] share a last name

[@d.g.990]

Hi, your formatting tips are different from what Yale and the Dramatists Guild recommend. Also, where is your Dramatis Personae?

[@ifoxxmedia3782]

i found to very helpful

[@JuliaMakesTheatre]

I'm so glad! Thanks for watching!

[@Tezakconsult]

Great video, but the visual effect is not clear..don't know if I'm the only one not seeing what u typing ??

[@nathanriordan2506]

Not sure if you will see this, but could you explain the bracket thing? I tried it, but it didn't seem to work. Maybe I'm not doing it right. The rest of the video was clear though!

[@JuliaMakesTheatre]

Hi, Nathan! Sorry for my delay. If I'm understanding your question correctly - a quick way to "tab" a whole paragraph and shift it to the left or right is to press the "Ctrl" key, and then while you're still pressing "Ctrl," press the left bracket - the key on your keyboard with "{" and "[" - to shift the paragraph to the left, or the right bracket - with "}" and "]" - to shift the paragraph to the right. I hope this helps! Thanks for watching. :)

[@nathanriordan2506]

@@JuliaMakesTheatre Thank you! I was able to figure it out. Thank you for replying back!

[@JuliaMakesTheatre]

@@nathanriordan2506 Yay! I’m glad you figured it out. :)

[@jeremiahalienyi7702]

@@nathanriordan2506 How did you figure it out? I am having the same challenge

[@Galaxy-Dior]

Hi! I'm writing my first play even tho I don't how to start I have a story but I'm confusing on terminology (words) like what is a stage direction, setting, at rise, background story etc... do you have an email address I can contact you, I have lots of questions to ask Please help me!

[@JuliaMakesTheatre]

Hello! I'm so glad you're writing your first play. Congratulations! I'm not able to share an email address, but please check out the other videos in my Playwriting 101 series, where I explain a lot of the terms you mentioned. If you still have questions after watching those videos, leave comments on them and I'll try to answer your questions. Good luck!

[@Galaxy-Dior]

@@JuliaMakesTheatre first of all I am sorry Julia. I am not good at English and also I may bomb your comment section with a ton of questions. Please answer the questions you can and I want to tell you your videos help me a lot. thank you so much for that

[@Galaxy-Dior]

@@JuliaMakesTheatre Julia, I am still at the beginning of my play and I am stuck on writing "cast of characters". I refer to the article link you have put in the comment section about how to format the play. according to that, they described cast members like this JOHN DOE. : 45 years old, university professor. JENNIFER DOE. : 42 years old, a Carter, John's wife. But in my case, I describe the characters and their behaviour and also included some adjectives as well. Ex: JOHN. : Arrogant 60 years old man, Sera's husband, retired policeman SERA. : John's wife, she controls the house and rarely going outside. She has anxiety Is this one correct? should I describe the characters and their behaviour or diseases on the "cast of characters" page? Is that a must to put the age of a character? I saw another playwriting format and they also used their age. it seems like it is something I should definitely input in my playwright. will my playwright get rejected if I describe the characters like the above example ( John and Sera one) I am writing this for a competition and I don't want my play to get reject please help me, Julia.

[@jamesandrewtot]

Why do I need to put my Address?

[@JuliaMakesTheatre]

Hi, James! Not every theatre will require an address on your cover page, but many of them do. There are various reasons - some theatres will only look at scripts from playwrights in a certain city or state; some theatres want to be able to mail you acceptance or rejection letters; some theatres will require a hard copy of your script and need your address to mail it back to you. If you're submitting your script to a theatre or a competition, make sure to carefully read the directions to make sure that your formatting matches what they're looking for. There are many ways to format a play - this is just one! :) Happy writing!

[@VeronicaV70]

@James Tot, Get a PO Box to give them if it's a privacy issue.

[@NitinSingh-bp1nq]

Its rules are almost like screenwriting