How to format script for onscreen text? at DVinfo.net

Tailean Saylor · March 11th, 2009, 05:26 PM

I write a lot of scripts and I am familiar with the format in which to write them. However I don't know how to format it when i want onscreen text. Could anyone give me a sample on how to write it on a script?

Chris Hurd · March 12th, 2009, 08:23 AM

Thread title changed from "I have another question!" to "How to format script for onscreen text?"

Please avoid ambiguous thread titles on this site. Thanks in advance,

Brian Drysdale · March 12th, 2009, 10:30 AM

Any time I've seen on screen text in a script it's in the "Action" rather than the "Dialogue" with a description such as SUBTITLE: followed by the text.

Jack Walker · March 14th, 2009, 09:02 PM

As an "action" paragraph under the Scene Heading, here's one way:

SUPER: THE PENTAGON

or

However you use ANGLE ON, you can use SUPER or SUPERIMPOSE or TITLE OVER or some such thing to setup the subtitle text.

I've seen the text in all caps as above. I've also seen it in quotes, I believe.

If the subtitle is part of the format of the show, the text is sometimes put in the Scene Heading (in parentheses) and everyone understands that it will be a subtitle.

If it is clear what you are doing, and it's done consistently, I don't think it matters how it's done.

March 11th, 2009, 05:26 PM	#1
Tailean Saylor New Boot Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: North Vernon Indiana Posts: 6	How to format script for onscreen text? I write a lot of scripts and I am familiar with the format in which to write them. However I don't know how to format it when i want onscreen text. Could anyone give me a sample on how to write it on a script?

March 12th, 2009, 08:23 AM	#2
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	Thread title changed from "I have another question!" to "How to format script for onscreen text?" Please avoid ambiguous thread titles on this site. Thanks in advance, __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

March 12th, 2009, 10:30 AM	#3
Brian Drysdale Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Belfast, UK Posts: 6,152	Any time I've seen on screen text in a script it's in the "Action" rather than the "Dialogue" with a description such as SUBTITLE: followed by the text.

March 14th, 2009, 09:02 PM	#4
Jack Walker Trustee Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Burbank Posts: 1,811	As an "action" paragraph under the Scene Heading, here's one way: SUPER: THE PENTAGON or However you use ANGLE ON, you can use SUPER or SUPERIMPOSE or TITLE OVER or some such thing to setup the subtitle text. I've seen the text in all caps as above. I've also seen it in quotes, I believe. If the subtitle is part of the format of the show, the text is sometimes put in the Scene Heading (in parentheses) and everyone understands that it will be a subtitle. If it is clear what you are doing, and it's done consistently, I don't think it matters how it's done.