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tv-writing TV & Film Element Margins + More

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resgame

I'm in need of the margin dimensions of EVERYTHING in a TV and Film script, not just the Elements. And I need the real answers, not 'about' 3.5", if it's 3.68". I need to know the 3.68" answers. From off the top of my head I need all the Elements, everything on the title page, the numbering and titles on each page, everything really.

I tried Google but I got conflicting answers. I want the real deal answers, and again. I need everything for both TV and Film, not just film. So if anyone knows where I can get this information please show me!!

I'd prefer a table, but as long as I find the REAL answers I'm happy. I'm hoping to find the left and right margin of everything I guess, the official margins.

EDIT: I was able to find this, but I'm not sure if all 4 of these are 100% accurate: http://www.scriptwritingsecrets.com/Margins-Spacing.htm

So if anyone knows if all 4 are, let me know. Also what about the page numbering and page titling for TV, etc.

Thanks!!
 
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Do you need the actual numbers - or - do you need it done?

http://www.storysense.com/format/margins.htm
Code: 
		Margins
Element		Left	Right	Width
Action		1.5	1.0	6.0
Dialogue	2.9	2.3	3.3
Character Cue	4.2	1.0	3.3
Parenthetical	3.6	2.9	2.0
Transition	6.0	1.0	1.5


To get it done get the free Celtx download: http://download.cnet.com/Celtx/3000-13631_4-10850080.html
And then use this: http://www.scribd.com/doc/12721428/Professional-Screenplay-Formatting-Guide
Examples of screenplays should look like: http://www.imsdb.com/latest/

Also: http://www.indietalk.com/showthread.php?t=49743

Good luck! :yes:
 
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I've used Celtx for awhile, it has a lot of issues and I just never cared for it much, though it is a good program, for free. But I decided I'm going to design my own scripting program so I'm getting everything ready for my coder and I have to get the official, accurate margins for everything. I did see that website you posted but it only shows feature film and even though it does list the left, right and width which I need, it only shows the Elements. I need headers, footers, numbering, title page, etc.

I thought someone would have a good answer. Seems like no one knows what I'm asking, for all, not just feature film.

Thanks for your help. I just thought on a film making community there would be more replies. I have been told to look at some books, but their ancient and I don't know what ones, no one does.

Thanks anyways. I'm sure I'll figure it out. Or if someone can help? :D
 
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rayw said:
:lol:

Seems like you don't know what your asking for.

Best wishes. ;)
Click to expand...

This makes no sense since I asked for it. Margin dimensions for everything.

As for the software, course I do. My friend isn't a nub, hes made many many things in the past and working towards an OS. I'm the details and GUI designer which isn't too hard, annoying, yeah, but doable.

Just because you can't do it, doesn't mean others can't.
 
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With a little patience, someone who can give you those answers might eventually come around and do so. I am not being cheeky but sincere when I remind you that it's not like this is some twenty-four hour tech service where we all wait around to answer questions like this on demand. Nobody's going to write us a paycheck for services rendered. Having said that, there are both writers and software people who visit this site. But, I wonder how many of them have or have any desire to do their own screenplay formatting let alone create their own screenwriting software.

Probably, most come here to just get writing, then filming. Most probably do not want to screw around with exact measurements for margins etc. And why not when there are multiple options for screenwriting programs that work very well? That's not to try to invalidate your questions. Just saying that it's quite natural for the community here to not have those answers readily available. Though I'm surprised that a web search doesn't turn them up readily.

Hold tight. Maybe someone here with the answers will get around to helping you. Otherwise, maybe you'll have better luck asking it on some softer developers forum. Maybe someone on one of those has already written such a program and can tell you exactly what you need to know.

If designing software is a passion or a hobby of yours, great, go for it. I understand that. But if it's about getting a program that lets you write your screenplays for film or TV in proper format easily and correctly, why not just go with one of the options already out there? Looks like you have Final Draft 8. Doesn't it provide you with film and TV templates?
 
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I have used Celtx for five screenplays. Never had any issues with it. Works great for me.

Personally I think it's crazy you're going to design your own scripting software when a free high quality one is available. Your time would be better spent writing a screenplay. But it's your life so your call.

If you need some good screenplay format guides, you'll find some here:

http://reelauthors.com/Resources.php
 
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resgame said:
Thanks for your help. I just thought on a film making community there would be more replies. I have been told to look at some books, but their ancient and I don't know what ones, no one does.

Thanks anyways. I'm sure I'll figure it out. Or if someone can help? :D
Click to expand...

Trouble is, this is just that, a film MAKING forum, not a script/screenwriting specific forum. Most of us I think just choose "Film Script" from the list in the editor of our choice and start typing. We'd have to Google it for you, which Rayw did.

CraigL
 
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resgame said:
I'm in need of the margin dimensions of EVERYTHING in a TV and Film script, not just the Elements. And I need the real answers, not 'about' 3.5", if it's 3.68". I need to know the 3.68" answers. From off the top of my head I need all the Elements, everything on the title page, the numbering and titles on each page, everything really.

I tried Google but I got conflicting answers. I want the real deal answers, and again. I need everything for both TV and Film, not just film. So if anyone knows where I can get this information please show me!!

I'd prefer a table, but as long as I find the REAL answers I'm happy. I'm hoping to find the left and right margin of everything I guess, the official margins.

EDIT: I was able to find this, but I'm not sure if all 4 of these are 100% accurate: http://www.scriptwritingsecrets.com/Margins-Spacing.htm

So if anyone knows if all 4 are, let me know. Also what about the page numbering and page titling for TV, etc.

Thanks!!
Click to expand...
"Industry Standard" is not standardized. If you go to most pro screenwriting software, you'll find it has separate styles. Most major studios have their own internal practices. Below is the basic industry standard format for film and television spec scripts.

Scripts are three hole punched and held together with two 1 ¼” - 1 ½” brads. So for the bound script to look balanced, the left hand margin is 1 ½” wide and the right hand margin is 1”. All text should be in Courier 12 pt. font. Be sure to number your pages—upper right or bottom center--starting on the second page of the script.

There are now four tabs which are typically standard:
2 ¾ “ (or 1 ¼” from margin) for Dialogue
3 ½” (or 2” from margin) for Parenthetical Comments
4 ¼” (or 2 ¾” from margin) for Character Name
6.5” (or 5” from margin) for Limit of Dialogue Line

Shots are tight to left margin in all caps.
Transitions are right justified to the 1" right margin in all caps.

Title page format varies. Typically:
Title (all caps) down 3" from the top and centered
Author(s) down 5" from the top and centered
Additional Credit(s) down 6" from the top and centered
Contact information down 8" from the top (along left margin or 6" from left margin)

There are multiple examples on the Internet. This industry approach has evolved so scripts which follow these basic rules time out approximately to one page is one screen minute. Also, production managers can use the information to go through a script and begin breaking it down for shooting requirements to create shooting boards using eighths of a page.

The television industry has moved to the film script format which is different from the TV-2 type mentioned in your link and is now single spaced. However, sitcom comedies will still sometimes use double spacing. I've not seen Scene/Act labels in recent television scripts. You can check this out at Creative Screenwriting Magazine (www.creativescreenwriting.com).

resgame said:
This makes no sense since I asked for it. Margin dimensions for everything.

As for the software, course I do. My friend isn't a nub, hes made many many things in the past and working towards an OS. I'm the details and GUI designer which isn't too hard, annoying, yeah, but doable.

Just because you can't do it, doesn't mean others can't.
Click to expand...
Honestly, you're worrying too much. The human eye that reads the script is not going to discern or care about .02" differences. Even the play formats vary. Then you have to include audiovisual two column formats. Add to that, formatting issues change over time. Previously, only underline was acceptable. Now with computers, bold and italics have slowly become more prevalent in scripts. Nor do all elements appear in all scripts--dual column formatting, scene numbering, MORE/CONTINUED, etc.

More power to you for wanting to write your own formatting program. As a reader, the appearance plays only a minor part in the consideration of a script. Unless the writer is blatant in not staying within the margins defined above, the structure, story development and execution carry more weight. I have more important things to do than sit there with a ruler.

I understand exact dimensions are important to you as a designer. For me as a writer and reviewer, not so much. Increasingly, there is movement towards uniformity across film and television which will benefit you. If you are writing the software for profit, you have lots of research ahead of you. Good luck.
 
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