Screenplay formatting can be a hard thing to grasp. Especially for a beginner it can look like there is so much to memorize. On top of that it seems to be a lot of options such as the different ways to write the same thing. But, one thing is for certain. The same things in each script need to be capitalized. No matter what the situation is. Now what exactly are those words and situations?
Character Names
A script is essentially a story where people talk a lot. People have to know who is talking and when. The best way to determine this is by putting there name above what the person is saying and making it known by using ALL CAPS.
First Time Character Introductions
When someone new comes in the door, scene whatever it is you want to capitalize their name in the action line.
The main reasoning behind this is it draws the readers attention to something new. Imagine your writing a five action lines. A reader looking at the paragraph of words might skim through it but they will stop at the big letters like a billboard.
Slug lines
Slug lines are generally ALL CAPS. Why because something is changing within the scene and you want or need the reader to understand the change. Therefor you capitalize it.
Transitions
FADE IN:, FADE OUT:, CUT TO: and any other type of transition you would like to put in your script needs to be ALL CAPS. This helps visualize what the film looks like on screen.
Sounds
Sound especially need CAPS. Imagine a horror movie where all the scares are silent it wouldn’t have the same effect. And the same goes for the script writing process. Sounds are generally always capitalized but not 100% of them.
Some sounds are more important than others. If your character stands up from a chair your not going to capitalize the chair moving back. That’s called is over doing it. The sounds that are more important are the ones that should get a reaction from the characters such as a door opening or a sword being swung.
Voice Overs
Voice overs or (V.O.) as there called in scripts are always capitalized to give the reader an indication of where the character is talking from.
Headlines
Headlines are anything your character see’s or reads.
For example if your character sees a sign for a store, or reads a magazine title or a newspaper headline. You would then capitalize the words such as “FIVE YEAR OLD TURNS UP MISSING” or “DOC MARTENS.” These are normally accompanied with quotations.
Do you Capitalize Objects?
When writing objects you normally wouldn’t capitalize then in your script.
Maybe you would do it the first time its seen but never again. But even then this has limits. Again don’t capitalize the chair that someone sits in Its not important. But the knife the man takes out his jacket well OK please ALL CAPS that.
Do you Capitalize Actions?
You capitalize actions only if they deserve the attention to be capitalized. What deserves the attention? It’s completely up to you. No one can tell you whats important and whats not only you the screenwriter knows.
Do you Capitalize Extras in a Script?
Yes, of-course you do. Every time a new person in your script is introduced you capitalize them. It doesn’t mater if their the BARTENDER or the WAITRESS. If they are a new character they need to be known.
Conclusion
The main take away from this post if you don’t remember anything else is if your unsure on weather or not to capitalize something. Just ask yourself is what I’m about to capitalize VERY important information for the reader to know? If not then don’t do it.
Happy Writing.