The Anatomy of a Screenplay Part 2 - Formatting Techniques to Elevate Your Script

THE ANATOMY OF A GOOD SCREENPLAY - Most screenwriting follows strict formatting conventions, but there are some elements in a script that require a bit of experimentation, like audio elements, graphics, and certain plot devices.
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Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction to Anatomy of a Screenplay Part II
00:54 - What is a Screenplay?
02:00 - Chapter 1: Audio Elements
07:32 - Chapter 2: Graphic and Text
10:18 - Chapter 3: Plot Devices
12:47 - Takeaways
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THE ANATOMY OF A SCREENPLAY PART 2
Screenwriting has countless conventions, from formatting dialogue to describing a setting. Typically, screenwriters have to squeeze their creativity into these rules, finding ways to remain original while adhering to a structure that can be easily understood and read. This is because for a screenplay, readability is paramount. The basic elements of a script are there so that any cast and crew member can quickly comprehend what is going on in a scene.
But there are some elements of a screenplay that aren’t so simple. We look at screenplays by the likes of Aaron Sorkin, Quentin Tarantino, Christopher Nolan, Tony Gilroy, and Phoebe Waller Bridges to see how legendary writers format unconventional elements of a screenplay.
MOVIE SCRIPT FORMAT FOR AUDIO
The most obvious sound that a screenplay clearly outlines is dialogue. But even this aspect of the anatomy of a screenplay can take different forms. Take a phone conversation, for example. Depending on how the writer sees the conversation being depicted, talking on the phone can be represented a multitude of ways on the page.
Interruptions, too, can take different forms. Some writers will use a dash, some writers two dashes, and others a forward slash. There’s also dual dialogue, where actors are talking over each other. Of course, language, too, has to be taken into account. Different writers have different methods for formatting foreign language elements of a screenplay.
HOW TO WRITE A SCRIPT WITH GRAPHICS/TEXT
More and more often, movies have on screen text to represent digital communication between characters. This can be done in countless different visual ways. Likewise, there is no one rule for representing texts in a script. The same goes for signage. Some writers will depict what a sign says in all caps, others will bold it, others will write it like any other words in action lines.
ELEMENTS OF A FILM SCRIPT: PLOT DEVICES
There are concrete rules for how to tell a linear, conventional story in screenwriting. But when that story becomes non-linear, things get a little more nebulous. Take flashbacks, for example. Some may write “insert flashback,” others just “flashback,” and others might not even note it. The same goes for dream sequences and quick successions of shots.
Despite its plethora of rules, screenwriting is an artform. There may be some formatting conventions you have to follow so that your script doesn’t get tossed in the trash by an overworked reader, but there are others you can bend to your own creative ends.
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'The Killer Theme" - Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross
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"American Prometheus" - Ludwig Goransson
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Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction to Anatomy of a Screenplay Part II 00:54 - What is a Screenplay? 02:00 - Chapter 1: Audio Elements 07:32 - Chapter 2: Graphic and Text 10:18 - Chapter 3: Plot Devices 12:47 - Takeaways

[@BeantownMrs]

As an aspiring screenwriter, this was helpful! Can you do a video about do's and don'ts of writing a script for an adaptation of a book?

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Thanks StudioBinder for making this Inspiring video. It's a complete audiovisual encyclopedia about The Anatomy of a Screenplay Part 2. I'm really inspired to write.

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Glad you liked it!

[@azraelle6232]

This is great! I had a scene in mind where two characters are talking over radio headsets while both of them are moving through their respective environments, eventually meeting up together at the end.

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[@The22boris]

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[@maitraiyeekothari8779]

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Like the paying homage to a great band and possibly their best song. and Thanks for these videos, really helping me learn the ropes.

[@StudioBinder]

Happy writing!

[@Hitchfred_Alcock]

using 'Fade to Black' as outro song. Nice touch there, but no need to say it additionally, we get it 🙂 Great video, as always! Thank you

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👍

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Loved the Fade to Black song in the end ❤

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I have been waiting for this 2nd part, thanks ❤

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Hope it was worth the wait!

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Having never used it, what are your issues with it?

[@LamondoHillII]

Thank you as always, I learned about "INTERCUT" this will save me pages and time haha. Till next time.

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[@thesuperfan2457]

Idea for a series for you guys: have each video be about a different "genre", talking about the tropes, how to break them, and innovate within each one.

[@postbox9505]

Please make a dedicated video for Steven Spielberg cinematography technique.

[@y_fam_goeglyd]

I think they have something on him. Might be an older one? Not sure what it covers (I've seen so many on a binge watch that they can get a bit muddled up!). Anyway, HTH :)

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we have a directing style that includes his cinematography! kzbin.info/www/bejne/kKqqdKyOmruMj8k

[@hii9918]

I think a good movie begin with a good script, and a good script should contain everything that is to be displayed on screen, so as to make the tasks easy for other stakeholders in the movie .

[@StudioBinder]

👍

[@ECLECTRIC_EDITS]

Do you think a good concept can come first and you base the script off the concept?

[@hii9918]

@@ECLECTRIC_EDITS obviously , concept comes first, but the script actually lays out the structure, tone, arc of the story etc. in detailed manner, thus becoming building block of the film, and the production of the film begin with a script.

[@ECLECTRIC_EDITS]

@@hii9918 Now, scripts can be malleable and change based on new developments and to make the story unfold in a more natural way. I think strict adherence to the script might not let the story unfold in the most natural way.

[@boboboy8189]

Unless you works for Disney where they Will forced you to redo the script and reshoots 1/3 of the movie

[@greenroom6926]

Its really helpful tips for writing a script, but im doing it on other way and specific position. Well in the end is try to put the all specific things right there..

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Good luck!

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[@y_fam_goeglyd]

I can imagine that writing in a properly formatted manner would be very tricky. In my creative writing courses I had to format my assignments as if for a book, but that was easy enough because I could set it up to do it automatically. Yay for word processing! But for a screenplay or (I assume) a stage play(?), even with your excellent program, there's so much more to think about that it gives me the impression that it's really a stop-start affair. As someone who writes with the aim of getting the stories into print (should I ever cease being overprotective of my "babies" 😅), I am used to the words flowing, paragraph by paragraph. Or at least I did until I developed an almighty case of writer's block! So, do screenwriters tend to initially write a more book-like format, returning once they're happy with the way the story has turned out (unless, I suppose, they're adapting a "ready-made" novel) to reformat it with the directions added? Or do they go straight to writing in "screenplay mode"? Funnily enough, I'm not really a film buff, but I've been picking up a lot about how stories get developed for film, and even "just" for storytelling, thanks to you. I'm hoping that I'll be able to get rid of my block and finish part 2 of my sci-fi/fantasy "epic"! (It's not meant to be a 2- or 3-parter, but writing it as if formatted for a novel going to an editor, I felt I should break it up on hitting the 900th page! 😂😂). Thank you for your fascinating videos and really useful advice. Please keep on making this sort of information, because even if I'm never going to be a screenwriter, it's helping me position my characters if only if my mind. You'd be surprised how useful that is!

[@onuohaudochukwu6180]

I go straight into screenplay format once I am done with the outline

[@SteveSmith-ze5mw]

Totally dependent on you. I tend to write in bursts. Initially in fragments that I see in my mind. The more time it’s in my head the more pieces that come. Eventually I have enough for a complete outline and then that’s expanded into the final first draft. I use index cards like David Lynch. Something less intimidating about the smaller pieces of paper allows me to get it out easier. Each index card is a scene. This also allows me to remove chunks and move scenes around easier. Refn does this too. If you watch the only god forgives doc you see him sitting staring at the whole movie in index cards on the wall.

[@StudioBinder]

Most start in the script format (as writing it as a book first is quite a bit more work!) but whatever works at the end of the day

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It's worth a listen 💯

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I have recently found your channel and found it to be an insightful source of information. Could you do a video on well-structured monologues? A man explaining himself over a glass of milk and smoking a pipe, disappearing like tears in rain, and Ezekiel 25:17 comes to mind.

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we might!

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I love it

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HELP! I love this channel, but I hate spoilers. Can we get a list of the movies that appear in the videos so I can watch them before?

[@andrewhoover2735]

I posted this 49 minutes after it was posted on KZbin. For you page

[@StudioBinder]

🙏

[@maxcollomb298]

How would you write a character’s name in the script if it you only want it to be revealed at the end? Love this vid btw

[@seboloka.r]

ngl would've loved to see the screenplay of the social network with all those computers in comparison or similarity to the one mentioned. 😪😪

[@StudioBinder]

Interesting point!

[@s_d429]

Hey! Please can you make a video about how to format episodic scripts? I’ve tried searching about how to format a script for a TV series but I’m really confused… please help me🙏🏻

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks for the suggestion!

[@s_d429]

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Please make a video for how to write a story for film.

[@RicoMatt]

Hi, can somebody help me to understand more deeply how to use the "/"? The example was very short, im confused if it can be used like the "--" for interruption... greetings from Argentina ❤

[@emmanuelbiruk2652]

can you please make a video about audio how they record it

[@StudioBinder]

We're planning on it!

[@KuldeepSingh-md2hk]

How to dual dialogue in studiobinder software..?

[@StudioBinder]

You mean writing in different languages?

[@peterkalyabe7553]

I am back, with a question - probably you can help make content about it. Who own the "Behind the Scene" footage? What are the benefits of that 'content'? Thx.

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks for the suggestion!

[@DirtyBottomsPottery]

I'm surprised there's no standard formatting for screenplays in the form of a style manual like M.L.A. or Chicago have.

[@StudioBinder]

There is! We cover it in episode 1 kzbin.info/www/bejne/bIGvhH14id-Ufdk

[@srupomadhikary1255]

Make a video about Legendary film Director MRINAL SEN (AKALER SANDHANE), TAPAN SINHA, AJAY KAR plz INDIAN OLD FILMMAKER

[@priscila4091]

how many pages for 24 minutes anime ? (like Naruto, demon slayer )etc... pls

[@StudioBinder]

Shouldn't deviate that much from the normal standard (1 page=1 min)

[@divyamani4560]

*"How to shoot with multiple cameras?" Kindly choose this as your next topic.* "Do all big directors use multiple cameras (criss-cross/3 cameras) for shooting a shot?"

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❤❤

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💖

[@lonewolf_58]

Why this video don't have subtitles?

[@StudioBinder]

subtitles are up!

[@xucaen]

How much of this is done by the director for the shooting script and how much is done by the screenwriter before submission? Your videos are entertaining but not clear on providing instruction.

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❤🎉

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Thanks for the suggestion!

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9:57

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Its my time to fade to black....zziiiippp

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hello

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Hi

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Hahahaha!!!

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Thanks for watching!