Create a professional screenplay title page in just 3 steps.
The first impression you make on your readers is the quality of your writing Script title page.
How you present the information there can reveal a surprising amount about the overall quality of the writing therein.
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Example of incorrect scripted title page.
For example, what does the following screenplay title page indicate about the author’s level of ability?
When you first open this script, do you feel confident? master storyteller? Probably not.
In fact, it’s clear from this screenplay cover alone that the author doesn’t have much of a grasp on the English language or proper screenplay title page format.
Overall, you want to make sure the title page of your screenplay looks like this Clean and professional As much as possible in appearance. This means (largely) limiting its information to the following three elements:
• Script title
• your name
• your contact details
There is also the question of whether additional information such as draft date and copyright information should be included on the script’s title page.
We’ll discuss these in order, but first a few words about screenwriting software…
Let software take over the job of formatting script title pages.
Some aspiring screenwriters like to take shortcuts by using standard word processing software such as MS Word or some similar program.
The problem is, readers can usually tell at a glance──on the script title page itself——The script was written using something other than screenwriting software.
This is usually because the format is all over the place – which is obviously not a good first impression.
If you want to take screenwriting seriously, we recommend investing in some professional screenwriting software.
A professional plan will have Industry standard parameters Built into the script cover page. This means you don’t have to worry about where each element (title, your name, and contact information) sits on the page.
If you don’t have one yet, here is our top 5 list of the best screenwriting software.
1. How to format the title on the script cover.
Some people insist that script titles should always be capitalized, or always underlined, etc. In fact, few people in the industry care about this issue. finer details There are more formats for screenwriting than many writers imagine.
For example, it doesn’t matter whether the title is uppercase or lowercase, underlined, or enclosed in quotation marks.
The important thing is that it is Centered 4.0” Starting at the top of the page, like the rest of the script, is with Express delivery 12 minutes.
2. How to format your name on the title page of your screenplay.
This should be spaced four lines below Script title. (Again, a professional screenwriting software program will handle all of this for you.)
You can write “written by” or just “by”, lowercase looks better.
If you co-wrote the script, just put an ampersand (&) between your names. (The addition of “and” indicates that one of the writers was brought in to rewrite the work of the other.)
If the script is based on someone else’s original material, simply write “Based on the novel” or “Based on the stage play” four lines below your own name and use the same style.
3. How to format your contact information on the script title page.
Final Draft automatically populates your contact information in the lower left corner, while other professional writers and software add it to the lower right corner. It doesn’t really matter, so you can choose.
Just add your content to make it easy e-mail In the lower left (or lower right) corner of the script’s title page.
(It’s best to avoid weird email addresses. Keep it brief.)
If you wish, you can also add your address and phone number. Please note that if you live in Los Angeles or outside the United States, your location may bias readers in some way.
if you have a lawyer, agent or managerwhere you can add their details instead of your own.
Screenplay title page template.
That’s it. Here’s a sample screenplay cover page to give you an idea of what the goal is:
4. How to format additional information on the script title page.
Some writers like to include additional information on the first page of their script, such as draft date and number and copyright information.
You’ll hear some people say that you “should never” include this content on your title page. You’ll hear others say they “must” be included.
Again, this is entirely up to you. No one is going to throw your script in the trash just because you include one or all of these elements, but here are some things to keep in mind.
Draft date.
The decision to include such content depends on when the draft is completed.
If you send a draft to industry with a date of July 7, 2015you tell the reader that this is an old script that has been around for a long time.
It immediately gave the script a tired, “nobody wants this” air.
On the other hand, if the draft date is from yesterdayit might give the impression that it was hastily eliminated for some reason.
This is fine if the writing is excellent, but keep in mind that adding a draft date will leave an initial impression on the reader. Therefore, we recommend excluding them.
Draft number.
The same general rules apply as to whether to include a draft number on the first page of your script.
By adding a draft number you choose to provide to your readers Impressions of the script before they have a chance to open it.
If you add Draft No. 1, you’re unintentionally preparing them to read a script that may require a lot of work.
On the other hand, if you add Draft No. 41, it may mean that it has been revised for months or even years.
Copyright information.
Some writers have said that including a WGA number on a script’s title page seems paranoid. When you’re writing under contract from a studio or production company, this should be retained.
This makes sense, especially when the information is littered with copyright symbols and written statements about the author’s rights.
However, there is nothing wrong with adding one more Simple WGA number If you prefer, you can find it in the bottom corner opposite your contact details.
Artwork, photos, etc.
Some writers add artwork, photos, social media messaging, fancy fonts, and other design quirks to their script title pages.
While there is no “right” or “wrong” script format, we recommend avoiding these formats.
The problem is, many readers will automatically assume (rightly or wrongly) that you are a amateur screenwriter If you add these elements.
In the end, if a different font or some tasteful design is done well and helps give flavor to the story you’re about to read, you’ll be on your way to success.
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in conclusion.
Overall, readers may have an unfavorable first impression of the clunky screenplay cover, but if they are subsequently blown away by the writing all is forgiven.
So while it’s a good idea to make a good first impression with your script’s title page and overall format, don’t get too carried away.
Ultimately, all readers want is to be sucked into a great story with characters they care about. Don’t discard a script just because it has issues with formatting details.
However, by following the script title page format outlined in this article, keep things clear and simple, and your spec script will work just fine.
The same goes for screenplay formats in general, you can learn more about this in our book main script format.
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Let us know which screenplay title page format you prefer in the comments section below. How important do you think it is to make a good first impression when sending a spec script?
Like this article? Read more about screenplay format…
How to Format Dialogue in a Script: The 8 Most Common Dialogue Formatting “Mistakes”
How to format a script if you want to break into the spec market
Why you should stop thinking about screenplay format in terms of rules
[© Photo credits: Pexels]
