What is the best software for formatting a screenplay for an international audience?

1 Why formatting matters

Formatting a screenplay is not just a matter of aesthetics, but also of clarity, readability, and communication. A well-formatted screenplay can help you convey your story, characters, and vision to the people who will make your film happen, such as producers, directors, actors, and crew members. It can also help you avoid confusion, misunderstanding, and rejection from the gatekeepers of the film industry, such as agents, managers, and executives. Formatting a screenplay for an international audience means taking into account the cultural and linguistic differences that may affect how your script is perceived and interpreted.

2 The standard format

The most widely accepted and used format for screenplays is the Hollywood or American standard, which is based on the guidelines established by the Screenwriters Guild of America (SGA). This format specifies the font, margins, spacing, indentation, capitalization, and punctuation of every element of a script, such as scene headings, action, dialogue, transitions, and parentheticals. The standard format also defines the length, structure, and page count of a screenplay, which is usually between 90 and 120 pages, with one page corresponding to one minute of screen time. The standard format is designed to make a screenplay easy to read, follow, and analyze by anyone involved in the film production process.

3 The software options

Screenwriters who desire to format their screenplay according to the standard format or customize it for their own preferences or needs have a variety of software options. Final Draft is the most widely used by professionals, offering features such as templates, presets, auto-formatting, revisions, notes, and reports, as well as a collaboration mode that allows writers to work together online. Additionally, Celtx is a cloud-based software that allows users to access their scripts from any device and has a project management feature to help organize research, outlines, drafts, and feedback. Lastly, Fade In is an affordable software with a user-friendly and customizable interface featuring a smart auto-completion feature and built-in spell checker that supports multiple languages and dialects. All of these software options can export scripts in various formats such as PDF, FDX, RTF, HTML, and XML.

4 The international considerations

While the standard format is the most common and recognized format for screenplays, it is not the only one. Different countries and regions may have their own variations or adaptations of the standard format, or their own formats altogether. For example, some European countries use the A4 paper size instead of the Letter size, which affects the margins and page count of a script. Some Asian countries use different fonts, symbols, and directions for writing their scripts. Some Latin American countries use the telenovela format, which has a longer and more episodic structure than the standard format. Therefore, screenwriters who want to format their screenplay for an international audience should do some research and consult with their potential readers or collaborators to find out what format is preferred or expected in their target market.

6 The final tip

Formatting a screenplay for an international audience can be a challenging and rewarding task that requires creativity, research, and attention to detail. The best software for formatting a screenplay for an international audience is the one that suits the screenwriter's needs and preferences, and that helps them create a script that is clear, readable, and engaging for their potential readers and collaborators. The final tip for screenwriters who want to format their screenplay for an international audience is to always proofread their script before sending it out, and to seek feedback from people who are familiar with the target market and culture.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?