We’re back with a few more formatting pointers for anybody out there who might be working on a spec script. As always, if you have further or more specific questions about any of the shows covered in these posts, feel free to e-mail us at library@wgfoundation.org. Remember, as always, the scripts in the WGF Library are often generously donated by the writers/production companies/studios. We are not the copyright holders of the materials and cannot e-mail you scripts, but during this time while the library is still closed, we can always advise about how to format your spec or pilot. Happy September and happy writing! - Hilary, Javier and Lauren
AWKWAFINA IS NORA FROM QUEENS (Comedy Central)
Average page count: 25
Average scene count: 24-28
Broken into acts? Yes 3 (and one very short fourth act)
Other things to consider:
Scripts are broken into four acts. Each act averages about 7-11 pages except for act four, which functions more like a tag than an act, coming in at 1-3 pages.
MAIN TITLE. is specified on the left-hand side, underlined and italicized usually on page 2.
Act breaks are formatted: ACT THREE, centered and underlined. END OF ACT THREE, centered and underlined. At the end of act four: END OF EPISODE.
Acts often end on dialogue.
Scene headings are underlined.
Scripts are fun and driven by propulsive dialogue. Description treats even the smallest characters warmly and specifically.
DICKINSON (AppleTV+)
Average page count: 30-36
Average scene count: This varies wildly, but it’s typically around 22
Broken into acts? No
Other things to consider:
Many Dickinson scripts mention music, calling for a specific feeling but not an exact song.
Significant action, text seen on screen, notes, motifs, etc. are written in bold in the script. An example of this is in episode 1-3 “Wild Nights” where the idea of waves crashing is presented over and over again. The writer makes the text bold any time waves are mentioned in the description.
Informally, significant actions in the description are CAPITALIZED.
Also, specific poetry lines are called out in the script. These lines are preceded by we SEE/HEAR in bold. Also, anything directly quoted from a real poem is in “quotation marks” and sometimes italicized.
Not always, but sometimes scripts end with “End of Episode.” on the left-hand side of the page.
THE GREAT (Hulu)
Average page count: 55-57
Average scene count: 50-55
Broken into acts? Yes, 5 (and a teaser)
Other things to consider:
All scene headings are in bold and underlined.
Act breaks go something like this: ACT TWO centered and underlined at top of page; END OF ACT TWO centered and underlined. Scripts end with END OF EPISODE, centered, bolded and underlined. Act lengths vary from 6 to 12 pages.
The teaser averages about 2-5 pages. At the end of each teaser on the left-hand side, CAPITALIZED and in bold: TITLE CARD. THE GREAT. NAME OF EPISODE., then END OF TEASER centered and underlined.
Unlike many period pieces, the emphasis here is less often on the visuals and more on the witty banter/dialogue. Description is warm, fun and simple. Remember Tony McNamara based it on his play. The dialogue feels like a quippy game of table tennis.
A great The Great spec will find humor in antiquated beliefs, social customs and even health/hygiene practices of the time period.
ON MY BLOCK (Netflix)
Average page count: 29-32
Average scene count: 22-36
Broken into acts? No
Other things to consider:
The scripts aren’t broken into acts. The description is very straightforward.
When Spanish is spoken in the dialogue, it’s written out in Spanish and italics.
When scripts use flashbacks, they’re mentioned in the scene headings, a la INT. ROSE’S HOUSE - KITCHEN - FLASHBACK to INT. JAMAL’S ROOM - PRESENT
The scripts are mostly fun, fast and dialogue-driven. Visuals are punchy and description is short with paragraphs rarely going over a line or two.
At the end of the scripts, FADE OUT is typically used on the right-hand side in caps.
STUMPTOWN (ABC)
Average page count: 51-52
Average scene count: 40-ish
Broken into acts? Yes, 6
Other things to consider:
Keep in mind, if spec-ing, that (as of the writing of this primer) the show was recently canceled by ABC due to COVID-19, but is hoping to find a new home for season 2.
Act and scene headings are CAPITALIZED, bolded and underlined. Characters names are also in bold the first time they are introduced. Act breaks: ACT ONE; END OF ACT ONE — centered, bolded and underlined.
The first act is typically a bit longer, clocking in around 13 pages. The rest of the acts are typically 7 to 9 pages.
The first act contains smashing to the main title ‘STUMPTOWN’ in bold, italics and CAPITALIZED. This typically occurs on page 2 or 3.
Flashbacks are noted in the scene headings with description and dialogue in italics.
Note how the description sounds like an internal monologue, or what characters might be thinking. Sometimes this is done in italics.
Spec on! Write on!