Feature films, short films, television drama: this is the most recognizable script format and the one with which most of you are probably familiar.

SCENE HEADINGS include the location, time of day and note Interior (INT) or Exterior (EXT) for a given scene. The editor will remember each scene heading you write and offer them in an auto-complete menu as you type a new scene.

ACTION lines provide more scene detail and describe the action as it happens. Don't forget to always write action in the present tense.

CHARACTER names come before dialogue and once established, the script editor will offer you an auto-fill option the next time you type that character.

DIALOGUE margins in film scripts are relatively smaller than ACTION because film is primarily a visual medium.

PARENTHETICALS can be used to indicate the character's demeanor or note to whom they are speaking, written before or in the middle of dialogue.

SHOT or camera direction/angle can be written when necessary. There are hundreds of camera angles you could use and should always be used sparingly in a script.

TRANSITION is used to change from one scene to another, but you don't need to write one every time. If none is present, it is assumed the transition is a CUT.

ACTS are informal in a screenplay. Though some writers do break their script into three or more ACTS, it is by no means a standard element and should never be included in a screenplay you're planning to shop commercially. We've added it here so you may more easily swap formats.

There are essentially two ways to format any given line. One is automatic and the other is manual. The automatic formatting is achieved when you press TAB or ENTER after writing a line. This will set up the next line as a new element -- an element which would typically follow the previous one. For example, after writing a character's name, you would then write either dialogue or a parenthetical. Thus the TAB and ENTER shortcuts would give you those two options. Or you can manually alter the element of a line by selecting the line and choosing from the DROP-DOWN MENU in the toolbar.