There is no need to spend hundreds of dollars on a script-specific word processor if you already own one of the most powerful software on the market: Microsoft Word! You can make a professional script thanks to this tool, following different techniques. Whether you decide to use macros (small programs that record the sequence with which you press the keys and allow you to easily perform repetitive operations while writing) or to create a custom format with options of your choice, know that your script it will be ready for television, cinema or theater in no time.
Steps
Method 1 of 5: Create a Screenplay with a Template
Step 1. Open a new document
When the MS Word program is running, choose "File" from the main menu in the upper left corner of the screen. Then, select "New". This way, you can choose the style and layout of the document you want to create.
Step 2. Find the template dedicated to the script
Type the word "script" in the search bar. Microsoft currently offers pre-built templates for MS Word 2013/2016. Select the model of your interest with a double click. This way, you open a document that respects the formatting of a script.
If you are using MS Word 2010, the steps are essentially the same. Open a new document, select templates and search with Microsoft Office Online. Choose one of the two models available and download it
Step 3. Edit the script template according to your needs
There are no rigid rules that dictate the style of the scripts, although there are guidelines, vocabulary choices and some common characteristics. Ask the firm you are writing about about their preferences to understand how to customize the specific document. Think about how to change the margins, font size and line spacing.
Step 4. Create your model
If you have already written a text or the script is already saved on your hard drive, open it with MS Word. If you are using the 2013/2016 version, click on "File"> "Save As"> "Computer". Type the model name in the box assigned to the file name. Then, select the "Word Template" option in the drop-down menu next to "Save as". If your document contains macros, then choose the "Macro-Enabled Word Template" option. Finally, save the document.
If you want to change the folder where to save the template, click on "File"> "Options"> "Save" and type the folder path you want to use as the default destination, to save your personal templates
Method 2 of 5: Using Styles and Format
Step 1. Consider using the style and format feature to create your script
If you are not satisfied with the templates provided by the program, you can change the style and formatting of the document to create new templates. These can be used for other projects, if you save them, or you can create a new document-based template that uses these formatting and styling rules. You may be thinking about how to create new formatting as you build your custom template.
Step 2. Select a line of text
The text could be the name of a character, a fragment of dialogue or stage directions. Select the line by clicking with the left mouse button after moving the cursor to the left edge of the line.
- Alternatively, you can highlight the text by clicking the left mouse button, to the left or right of the line you want to change.
- Finally, you can highlight the text by placing the blinking cursor between the words of the text you have written, pressing the "shift" key and operating the arrow keys according to what you want to select. If you want to highlight the text that is to the right of the cursor, press the "shift" key and the right directional key.
- If you need to work with multiple lines of text, you can select them all at once and apply the format changes to them.
Step 3. Open the "Styles and Format" menu
Once you have highlighted the part of the text you are interested in, click on the word "Format" located in the menu bar. At this point, a drop down submenu will open with different options. Choose the one identified with the word "Styles and Format", and the corresponding window will open.
Alternatively, you can directly select the "Styles and Format" button from the toolbar. Just click on the button next to the drop-down menu where you can choose the font. This key is usually located at the far left edge of the toolbar and contains two letters "A" of different colors and slightly overlapping
Step 4. Select a text with similar formatting
Right-click the portion of text that is still highlighted and that you chose at the beginning. By doing so, you activate a drop-down menu with a series of options. The last button should say "Select text with similar formatting". Choose this option with the left mouse button. Any text that has similar formatting to what you highlighted at the beginning will be highlighted as well.
So, for example, if all the character names have been written with a specific font and size centered exactly above the line of text, you can highlight just one and then use the "Select text with similar formatting" feature to change them all into one. single shot
Step 5. Choose the format you want
After highlighting the text you want to assign a certain style to, choose the one you prefer from the window on the right. The "Styles and Format" screen should be open and located on the right side of the monitor. Choose the style you want to assign to the highlighted text by selecting it with the left mouse button.
Step 6. Create a new style
If the formatting of the selected text does not conform to an already existing style, you can assign it a new name by clicking the button located near the top of the window and which bears the words "New style". Later, you can rename it, align it left or right, choose the font, and make any changes that seem appropriate.
Method 3 of 5: Create a Macro to Set Up Scenes (Word 2013/2016)
Step 1. Think about why you want to create a scene
In a script, the title of the main scene (also called setting or references) is generally composed of a series of words that largely recall the content that follows. For example, some scene titles may say "INT. OFFICE - DAY" (the scene takes place inside an office during the day). This way, the person reading the script can orient themselves better.
Scene titles should be capitalized, just like the previous example, and be two lines below the last line of dialogue or description of the previous scene
Step 2. Prepare to record the macro
The macro is a sequence of saved commands that can be activated immediately by associating them with a single key. To prepare the macro, define the margins. To do this, you need to click on the "Page Layout" label, then on the "Margins" function and finally on the "Custom Margins" option. The top, bottom and right margin should be at 2.5cm, while the left at 3.8cm. Choose 12-point Courier New as your font. These are the standard settings for a script. If you prefer to work with a different layout, adjust the margins accordingly.
If you are using Word 2007, be prepared to record the macro by setting the margins. To do this, you need to select the "Page Layout" label and then change the margins and font following the specifications described above. Finally, open the "Development" tab. Click on the "Office" button located in the upper left corner of the screen, select "Options" at the bottom of the menu, and finally "Ribbon Customizations"
Step 3. At this point, click on "View"> "Macro"> "Record Macro"
Type the name you want to assign to the macro; since you will want to use it to set up scenes, it makes sense to use the name "Scene Header". Make sure you have selected the "All documents" option at the bottom of the drop-down menu that says "Store macro in".
If you are using the 2007 version of the software, click on "Record Macro". This button is located on the left side of the "Development" tab. Save the macro in "Document 1" (instead of "Normal"; this way, you can save it in different script templates). Rename the macro as "Scene" or "Header". Click on the keyboard icon to assign a "shortcut" for activating the keys to the macro. You can press the key you prefer to associate it with the execution of the macro. For example, you can decide that the F2 key activates the macro. In the "New combination" box, press F2 to make the association. Click on "Assign" and finally on "Close"
Step 4. Click on the keyboard icon
Next, relate the macro to the F2 key (or whatever you prefer) using the "New combination" interactive box. Click on "Assign" or press "Enter" and finally "Close".
Step 5. Look for the icon that looks like a music cassette and is located next to the mouse cursor
Press the "Enter" key on your keyboard twice to skip two lines of text. Return to the "Layout" tab (which in Word 2007 is "Page Layout") and change the indents to 0. Open the "Home" tab, click on the lower right corner of the "Font" section to open a window of dialogue. Then, in the "Effects" section, check the "All caps" box. When finished, click on the "OK" button.
Step 6. Finish the macro
Click on the "View" tab again, then choose "Macro" and "Stop Recording". At this point, by pressing the F2 key (or whatever you have decided to assign), the text will drop down by two lines and the letters will all be capitalized; in this way, you will be able to type the header of the scene.
When using Word 2007, go back to the "Development" tab and click on "Stop Recording". The F2 key will execute the commands you assigned to it
Method 4 of 5: Create a Macro for the Description (Word 2013/2016)
Step 1. Think about why you want to create a description macro
In a script, this part of the text offers more information than the simple header. For example, it describes the type of light, the weather conditions or defines the setting of the scene and the characters. In standard formatting, the description is placed two lines below the header, has the first capital letter and ends with a period. For example, under the scene header "OFFICE INT - DAY", you can enter a description such as: "The window is open and the lights are flickering".
Step 2. Open the "Layout" tab (which in Word 2007 is called "Page Layout") and set the margins
In the lower right corner of the "Paragraph" section you will find a small icon that you must click on to open a dialog box. At this point, set the previous spacing to 2, 5 cm and the next one to 3, 7 cm using the appropriate boxes in the "Spacing" section.
In Word 2007 you have to activate the "Development" tab. Click on the "Office" button located at the top left of the screen, select "Options" at the bottom of the menu and activate "Ribbon Customizations"
Step 3. Click on "View"> "Macros"> "Record Macro"
Type the name you want to give it; since the command list acts on the scene description, you should use the name "Description". Make sure you have selected the "All documents" option in the "Store macro in" drop-down menu.
Step 4. Click on the keyboard icon and assign the F3 key (or the one you prefer to use) to the macro thanks to the "New combination" box
Click on "Assign" and finally on "Close".
If you are using Word 2007, click on "Record Macro" located on the left side of the window. Save it in the same destination you chose for the previous macros and rename it as "Description". Click on the keyboard icon and assign the F3 key to the command set
Step 5. Look for a music cassette icon next to the mouse cursor
Press the "Enter" key twice, then activate the "Page Layout" tab to bring the spacing to zero. Next, click on the "Home" tab and the icon at the bottom right of the "Font" section to open the dialog box. In the "Effects" section, uncheck the "All caps" box and finally click "OK".
In Word 2007, after unchecking "All Caps", return to the "Development" tab and press "Stop Recording" before continuing with the instructions described above
Step 6. Click on the "View" tab again
Select "Macro"> "Stop Recording". At this point, the F3 key allows you to bring the text two lines below where you are and to write the text in lowercase. If you don't link the macro to the F3 key, this won't help you set the descriptive steps of your script.
If you are using Word 2007, go back to the "Development" tab and press "Stop Recording", instead of choosing the path "Macro"> "Stop Recording"
Method 5 of 5: Create a Macro for a Dialog (Word 2013/2016)
Step 1. Create a macro for the names of the characters
These and their dialogues or actions generally follow an introduction and a descriptive paragraph that provide information about the scene. Names should be centered on the page and completely capitalized, while the dialogue assigned to them should be on the next line.
-
To create a macro that allows you to enter the names of the characters after writing the description of the scene, repeat the same steps listed in the previous section with a few small differences:
- a) After changing the indents and setting them to 0, press the space bar 22 times and then select "All caps";
- b) Assign the name "Characters" to the macro and link it to the F4 key. Remember that the first thing to do when recording the macro is to bring the cursor two lines down.
- After pressing the "Stop Recording" key, the F4 key allows you to go down two lines of text (at the same time bringing the cursor to the right position to type the name of the character) and to write the words with capital letters.
- To create a dialogue macro in Word 2007, follow the instructions from the previous section, but enter the same parameters as described in the sub-step you just read.
Step 2. Open the "Layout" tab (which is called "Page Layout" in Word 2007) to set the margins
In the lower right corner of the "Paragraph" section there is a small icon; click on it to open a dialog box. Set the spacing to 2.5cm in the "Before" box and to 3.7cm in the "After" box, which you find in the "Spacing" section.
If you are using Word 2007, display the "Development" tab. In the upper left corner of the screen is a multicolored key, known as the "Office" key. Click on it and select "Options" (found at the bottom). At this point, select "Ribbon Customizations"
Step 3. Click on "View"> "Macro"> "Record Macro"
Type the name of the macro. Since this is a dialogue management function, it is worth naming it "Dialogue". Make sure you have selected the "All documents" option, found in the drop-down menu labeled "Store macro in".
- Click on the keyboard icon and assign the F5 key to the macro. Then click on "Assign" and "Close".
- If you are using Word 2007, click on "Record Macro". The appropriate key is located on the left side of the screen. Store the macro in the same place where you saved the others and name it "Dialog". Finally, click on the keyboard icon and link the commands to a key of your choice. For example, you can use the F5 key. Click inside the "New Combination" box and press F5 to complete the link.
Step 4. Look for a music cassette icon next to the mouse cursor
Press the "Enter" key to skip a line and then activate the "Page Layout" tab to bring the spacing to zero. Next, click on the "Home" tab and the icon at the bottom right of the "Font" section to open the dialog box. In the "Effects" section, uncheck the "All caps" box and then click "OK".
- Activate the "View" tab again. Click on "Macro"> "Stop Recording". At this point, the F5 key allows you to skip a line, write everything in lowercase and get ready to write the dialogue.
- In Word 2007, instead of clicking "Macro" and "Stop Recording", select "Stop Recording" from the "Development" tab.
Advice
- Stage effects that are used less frequently can be entered manually (such as fade in).
- Page numbers can be added by selecting the "Insert" tab followed by "Number of pages", "Top" and finally "Normal number 3". At this point, a section "Header and Footer Tools" is highlighted, in which you must indicate that the title is 12 mm from the top. Remember to uncheck the "Different for first page" box and delete the number 1, because the first page does not have to be numbered.
- Make sure there are enough lines on each page. When you open Word, select "Format" and finally "Paragraph"; next, open the "Leading and paragraph spacing" function and select 12 points. You now have exactly 12 points in each line, the standard format for Hollywood screenplays. This allows you to have the correct number of lines on each page.
- Check your grammar and spelling. Microsoft Word has a spelling correction feature and limited grammar checking.
- Remember that there are no absolute rules when it comes to formatting a script. Follow the criteria required by the film studio or theater company you work for.
Warnings
- Before recording a macro, you need to reverse or turn off any settings you want it to perform.
- When writing with the Word program, turn off the auto-correct function.
