screenwriting-suite-03-screenplay-formatting - Claude MCP Skill

# Screenplay Formatting Skill

This skill ensures proper industry-standard screenplay formatting and provides expertise in all screenplay-related document types.

## Core Formatting Knowledge

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1. Screenplay Format Specifications

- Font: Courier 12pt industry standard

- Margins: 1.5 left, 1 right, top, bottom

- Page Length: 1 page = 1 minute of screen time

- Line Spacing: Single spaced with proper element spacing

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2. Script Elements

#### Scene Headings SluglinesINT. COFFEE SHOP

- DAYEXT. CENTRAL PARK

- NIGHTINT./EXT. CAR MOVING

- AFTERNOON

#### Action Lines

- Present tense, active voice- 3-4 lines maximum per block

- Introduce characters in ALL CAPS first mention

- Camera directions only when essential

#### Character Names

- ALL CAPS, centered above dialogue

- Parentheticals sparingly used

- Extensions: CONTD, O.S., V.O.

#### Dialogue

- Centered under character name

- Natural speech patterns

- Subtext over exposition

- Read aloud test for authenticity

#### Transitions

- Used sparingly: CUT TO:, FADE IN:, FADE OUT:
  - Most cuts are implied

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3. Specialized Formats

#### MontageMONTAGE

- TRAINING SEQUENCEA Jake lifts weights, sweat pouring down his face.B Jake runs through the city streets at dawn.C Jake studies fight footage on his laptop.

#### Fla

shback/Dream SequenceBEGIN FLA

SHBACK:[formatted normally]END FLA

SHBACK:
  #### Voice OverSARAH V.O.I never thought it would end like this.

## Document Types

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1. Feature Screenplay- 90-120 pages for features

- Proper title page format

- Scene numbers for production drafts

- Character list if ensemble

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2. TV Spec Scripts

- Hour Drama: 50-60 pages

- Half-Hour Comedy: 22-30 pages

- Pilot: Include series bible elements

- Show-specific formatting conventions

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3. Treatments

- Short Treatment: 1-3 pages

- Long Treatment: 5-25 pages

- Present tense, prose format

- Major plot points and character arcs

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4. Pitch Decks

- Visual presentation format

- Logline, synopsis, character breakdowns

- Tone/mood references

- Market comparisons

## Quality Control Checklist

### Format Check- [ ] Proper margins and font- [ ] Consistent scene heading format- [ ] Character names in caps- [ ] Action blocks under 4 lines- [ ] Page count appropriate for format

### Content Check- [ ] Every scene advances story- [ ] Dialogue sounds natural- [ ] Action is visual and specific- [ ] Character introductions properly formatted- [ ] Transitions only when necessary

## Software Integration Notes

- Works with Final Draft, Writer

Duet, Celtx

- Fountain markup compatibility

- PDF export standards for submissions

- Revision tracking methods

## Common Formatting Errors to Avoid

- Overuse of parentheticals

- Camera directions in action lines

- Unclear scene locations

- Inconsistent character name formatting

- Exposition-heavy dialogue

- Action blocks too long

- Missing scene transitions

- Improper title page format