Cracking the Code: 10 Screenplay Writing Format Tips Every Screenwriter Should Know

Screenplay Writing Format Tip #1:
Get Descriptive

When you add any character to your story, you first need to introduce them, right? (Otherwise, a Reader won’t know who — or what! — is speaking!) But a Character Introduction is more than just their boring old name (“Beth”) and age (25).

Great character intros describe who a character is as a person and physically. Creative descriptions are an (often underused!) opportunity to give the Reader a cheat sheet into who this character is. But writing a pithy, descriptive introduction can be a challenge, so we made this post! Follow these tricks to create a fantastic character introduction:

Screenplay Writing Format Tip #2:
Break the Rules

The first rule of screenwriting is: You don’t write what you can’t see. The second rule of screenwriting is… there is one place you can break this rule. And this is it! Yay!

Writing a Character Intro lets you describe something you don’t see. This is the only place — in your whole script!! — where you do NOT have to use the cardinal rule of screenplay techniques: the “Show, Don’t Tell” Rule. And with so many rules/guidelines/requirements in screenwriting, it’s a relief to know there’s more creative latitude here. So make the most of your Character Introduction by writing descriptions using the tips below.

Screenplay Writing Format Tip #3:
Get Creative

Sure, a character description has to, well… describe a character. But in screenplays, it can be more effective to go beyond describing their literal appearance. Focus instead on highlighting unique traits and characteristics that will help your Reader differentiate this character from others. Give them a glimpse at who this character is so they start to understand this character’s role in the story. Try to convey who they are by creatively combining A) WHY this character is unique (personality) with B) WHAT they look like (physical appearance). This is your chance to hook your Reader! So give ’em someone memorable… a character they NEED to continue reading about.

Screenplay Writing Format Tip #4:
Keep ’em Short-n-Sweet

Character introductions should be clear and concise — but still creative! It’s important to avoid long, detailed descriptions of how they look or what they wear.

Steer clear of using too many lines for your Character Descriptions. While there are no hard-n-fast rules, generally, one full line of description should be enough. Of course, you can get away with two lines of description for major characters, but more than that is kinda pushing it into amateur-land.

Instead of writing a lot, take some time with Intros to hone it until who they are at their core comes into focus.

Screenplay Writing Format Tip #5:
Character Are Not What They Wear

Unless clothing is part of the plot, use descriptions of Clothing in introductions sparingly. For example, telling us that they’re wearing faded jeans, a rumpled polo, and a pair of stiletto heels may paint a picture — but an individual’s interpretation of that picture mean different things. (Besides, that’s for Wardrobe to decide after you go into production!). So, generally avoid clothing in intros, especially if you never revisit those details.

And! Simply detailing what a character is wearing when we meet them wastes your opportunity to talk about things not on screen (see Tip 1). So don’t try to do Wardrobe’s job… Instead, embrace the joy and freedom of being the screenwriter and use it to allude to something about their personality.

Screenplay Writing Format Tip #6:
Limit Physical Traits

Just like with Clothing, you should limit describing a character’s physical traits unless it is essential to your plot. Don’t waste the lovely opportunity of being able to describe non-visual things in Character Intros by just detailing what they look like.

Even if you “see” this character a specific way, chances are your script is better served if you convey the essence of who they are without physically describing them. Why? Let’s say someone writes a “tall and gangly” character with “piercing blue eyes.” But what if a short A-list actor with brown eyes wants to play this role? Um, it’s gonna get changed faster than you can say “Rewrite.” Things always change when you get to preproduction. So write HOW an actor can play the role, rather than what the actor should look like.

Screenplay Writing Format Tip #7:
Write Your Intros Last

Char Intros should give you a really quick glimpse of who this character is at their core. So if you don’t plan before you write, you may not have a real sense of who they are when you write their description.

So don’t sweat your Intro Descriptions when writing your first draft. Just slug in something for yourself and go back when you rewrite. Then you’ll have a much better sense of the character and can use this list to develop a fantastic Character Introduction.

Screenplay Writing Format Tip #8:
Description Structure #1: Name

And finally, let’s address the literal script writing structure of a Character Introduction. Generally, a Character Intro is a single line that includes 3 elements:

The first time you write someone into your script, the character’s name should be ALL CAPS. If this character has a speaking role in several scenes (say, 3 or more), you should use a proper name (ie: “BETH” or “BETH SMITH”). If this is a minor character with just a few lines, you can use a descriptive name (ie: “PLAYER 1” or “BASKETBALL PLAYER”).

Screenplay Writing Format Tip #9:
Structure #2: Age

Follow the character NAME with their age. Generally, you can use an age range (ie: “early 20s” or “mid-60s”). But sometimes, if your character’s exact age is essential to the plot, you can use a specific age (ie: “32” or “54”). For example, when a character hits a milestone birthday (ie: in the movie “This is 40”) or your story chronicling a real person’s life events, you could introduce their specific age.

You can also spell out the age if you like (ie: “a 26-year-old”). Ages should be put within parentheses or between commas, ie: “BETH, mid-20s”, “BETH, a 26-year-old woman”, or “BETH (mid-20s)”. Any of the 3 formats is acceptable — just pick one and use the same format throughout your entire script.

Screenplay Writing Format Tip #10:
Structure #3: Description

The third element of your single line Character Intro is the creative description

This is your chance to shine! Finish your single-sentence Character Introduction with a creative summary of your character. Use the tips above and try to capture who this character is at their core. Want some examples? We came up with some examples of creative character descriptions, followed by the more straightforward (boring!) version after it: