play script format

PLAY SCRIPT FORMAT:

Plays are made up of two things: dialogue and stage directions, and they both have different formats on the page

DIALOGUE

Character Tags (character name):
Character tags  are in all CAPS and centered .

You can use their full name or a shorter version (such as a first name or last name), as long as it's unique within your draft.

The dialogue is single spaced below the name and ALL the way to left, no indentation.

EXAMPLE:

.

STAGE DIRECTIONS

There are three different kinds of stage directions:

1.) Scene Directions

 Format: Center of page

These start the play or act, and yes, they are pushed halfway over to the right side of the page. This is where you give the basics of where and when this particular scene is set, and what is happening as the lights come up and perhaps what has happened between the scenes as it applies to what is on the stage at that time.

EXAMPLE:

2.) Staging Directions

These describe what happens on stage during the scene. Entrances, exits, major movements of characters, new characters, fights, light changes and being chased by a bear are all examples of action that would require stage direction.

FORMAT:  -In parentheses

                -skip one space below dialogue

                -Indent (if your directions go on to a second line, make sure                            it is indented as well)            

-skip one space before next character begins speaking

EXAMPLE OF STAGING DIRECTIONS

Note that the stage directions are single spaced when within a single character's dialogue, but a blank line is left when between character passages.

3.) Character Stage Directions

These are always brief and fit right under the character’s name. These types of directions give a clue to the style of the line. Often they are line directions such as "waving him off" or "sing-song" or "whispering to ROBERT" or “yelling.” These should be used sparingly, as they are regarded as directorial. They are needed only when a reader wouldn't understand what was going on without them.

FORMAT FOR CHARACTER STAGE DIRECTIONS:

-         In parentheses

-         Centered, directly below character name

EXAMPLE:

**LINE SPACING:
For the most part, stage plays are single spaced. Additional blank lines are left between character's dialogue and stage directions