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Screenplay Sizes
Screenplay sizes are highly important aspects of writing and formatting an exceptional script. Producers and filmmakers are quite particular about using the correct format for screenplays and scripts.
Screenplay Sizes Standard
US Letter Size (8.5 x 11 Inches)
The movie business is an established industry and there are certain rules that apply, even when it comes to formal documents. Most formal documents use the standard Letter size which has dimensions of 8.5 inches x 11 inches. When converted to millimeters and centimeters, it measures 215.9 x 279.4 mm and 21.59 x 27.94 cm, respectively. Scriptwriting follows the same standard and screenplays are typically written on Letter size white paper.
A4 Size (8.3 x 11.7 Inches)
Since its measurements are slightly similar to the US Letter size, the A4 size is an excellent substitute. In the case of a film script or screenplay, an A4 document will do just fine. The dimensions are 8.3 inches in width and 11.7 inches in height. Its equivalent in centimeters is 21.082 x 29.718 cm; and in millimeters, the dimensions are 210.82 x 297.18 mm. The A4 size is suitable for the first draft of the screenplay and even the screenplay treatment.
Legal Size (8.5 x 14 Inches)
Another screenplay size option is the Legal size, which is sometimes referred to as long bond paper. It may be used in printing screenplays, but it is not as widely used as US Letter size. It measures 8.5 x 14 inches and has the same width as the US Letter. When converted to millimeters, its dimensions are 215.9 x 355.6 mm and in centimeters, it’s 21.59 x 35.56 cm. Legal size paper is large enough to fit the dialogue or speaking lines and multiple scenes.
Screenplay Sizes for Print
Since it is basically an instructional guide or map, scripts are traditionally printed and distributed to everyone on set. The recommended sizes for printing screenplays are either Letter Size (8.5 inches x 11 inches) or A4 Size (8.3 inches x 11.7 inches). Whether you choose A4 or Letter size, make sure it is consistent for all the pages, and this includes the title page as well. Sticking to a consistent format matter so always mind the margins and the font when configuring your printer settings. The industry standard for screenplay writing is Courier font style with 12-point text size.
Screenplay Sizes for MS Word
Along with Best Picture, Best Screenplay is a highly anticipated category in recognition ceremonies like the Academy Awards. That being said, writing any screenplay requires a suitable and reliable word processor. Microsoft Word is an established word processing software and can be used to write a full-length script. If you’re using MS Word for your script, make sure to use the standard document sizes. In other words, Letter size (8.5 x 11 inches) and A4 size (8.3 x 11.7 inches) are your best options.
Screenplay Sizes for Apple Pages
The art of scriptwriting is anything but easy; plus, the competition in the entertainment industry market is a challenging hurdle. But if you are passionate about storytelling and writing, you shouldn’t let that discourage you. There are numerous tools you can use to write a script and that includes Apple Pages. It is a word processor application that has similar features to MS Word. And just like its Microsoft counterpart, the default sizes for Pages are Letter size (21.59 x 27.94 cm), A4 size (21.082 x 29.718 cm), and Legal size (21.082 x 29.718 cm).
Screenplay Sizes for Google Docs
Whether it is a movie, television series, or stage play, a screenplay is a fundamental requirement in the overall production process. If you don’t want to use MS Word or Apple Pages in crafting your screenplay, Google Docs is another great option. It is a popular online word processor that allows you to write and format the different acts, scenes, and dialogue in a film. Just make sure you use the industry-standard document sizes when typing and printing your script. These sizes are US Letter size, which has dimensions of 8.5 x 11 inches, and A4 size, which measures 8.3 x 11.7 inches.
Screenplay Sizes FAQs
What is the size of a screenplay?
Screenplays are normally written on standard Letter or A4 paper size and can contain as many as 120 pages.
What are the margins for a screenplay?
The top and bottom margins should measure 1 inch while the left margin should be 1.5 inches, but the right margin can be set to either 1 inch or 1.5 inches.
How long is the first act of a screenplay?
Typically, the first act of a screenplay is roughly 30 pages long.
What should the line spacing be in a screenplay?
The usual line spacing for screenplay writing is single-spaced.
What is the standard format for a screenplay?
The industry standard for a screenplay format is a 90-120 page document written on US Letter size white paper with a font size of 12 points.
How many scenes are in a screenplay?
It largely depends on the screenwriter but an average script has about 110 scenes, with some films (mostly action movies) having as many as 130 scenes.
What size paper is a screenplay?
Screenplays are normally written on 8.5″ x 11″ paper, commonly known as standard US Letter size.
What font size should a screenplay be?
The ideal font size for a screenplay is 12 points.
Are screenplays double-sided?
The traditional way of printing screenplays is one-sided but more environmentally conscious script writers may sometimes use double-sided printing.
What is the average length of a screenplay?
The average length of a screenplay is around 90 to 120 pages.
Where do page numbers go in a screenplay?
In a script, page numbers are placed at the top of the page on the right margin side, and a period is placed after each page number.
What are the rules for formatting dialogue in a screenplay?
The general rule for a screenplay dialogue format is center aligned with the text being 1.5 inches from both the left and right margins, and the character’s name is also placed above the dialogue in capital letters.
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