Formatting Your Manuscript
This page gives you the format you should use (or something close to it) when sending a stage play script to writing contests, literary agents, theatres... and to us. This uniformity is required so readers in this industry don’t have to constantly adjust to different page layouts and type styles. It makes for an easier, more fluid read.
You don't need to purchase writing software. Just follow these guidelines:
Set up your page with 1.25” margins (dialogue takes up to the entire width of the frame from 1.25” to 7.25”). Then insert tabs as follows.
2.75” - 5.75” - character's action in parentheses (and possibly italics);
3.5” - character name (all caps);
3.5” - 5.75” - stage action (possibly italics).
Here is an example:
VIVIAN in her studio, painting. -- stage action
WALTER -- character name
(Enters with parcel) -- character's action
Hey, Vivian, I brought you something... from Morocco. Got it from a street hawker in Tangier. You'll like it. -- dialogue
(Pause) -- character's action
Open it up.
VIVIAN
What is it? Drapes?
VIVIAN is too methodical and slow for WALTER's taste. -- stage action
WALTER
Here, let me show you.
Every line is started flush left, even the character's name. The preferred fonts are either 12 pt Courier or 12 pt Times New Roman. Courier may look archaic, but it is still the industry norm because it yields about one minute of dialogue per page.
You don't need to purchase writing software. Just follow these guidelines:
Set up your page with 1.25” margins (dialogue takes up to the entire width of the frame from 1.25” to 7.25”). Then insert tabs as follows.
2.75” - 5.75” - character's action in parentheses (and possibly italics);
3.5” - character name (all caps);
3.5” - 5.75” - stage action (possibly italics).
Here is an example:
VIVIAN in her studio, painting. -- stage action
WALTER -- character name
(Enters with parcel) -- character's action
Hey, Vivian, I brought you something... from Morocco. Got it from a street hawker in Tangier. You'll like it. -- dialogue
(Pause) -- character's action
Open it up.
VIVIAN
What is it? Drapes?
VIVIAN is too methodical and slow for WALTER's taste. -- stage action
WALTER
Here, let me show you.
Every line is started flush left, even the character's name. The preferred fonts are either 12 pt Courier or 12 pt Times New Roman. Courier may look archaic, but it is still the industry norm because it yields about one minute of dialogue per page.