Screenwriting is the process of creating a screenplay, sometimes known as a script, for a film, television show, or video game. It is a collaborative process that demands the combined effort of scriptwriters, directors, producers, and other professionals working on a project. Unlike a novel or short story, a script describes a story's physical and visual aspects, not just the characters' internal thoughts. Consequently, a scriptwriter needs a script format to understand what goes where and at what time.

The first element of a script format is a scene heading or slug line. It briefly describes where scenes take place and should appear in all caps. In addition, the scene heading will include the specific location and time of the day. Usually, the scriptwriter will use INT and EXT to denote interior and exterior scenes, respectively. Similarly, they may use subheaders like DAY, EVENING, and NIGHT to indicate a scene's time or occurrence.

Action lines are another element of a script format that scriptwriters use to give readers more insight into a scene. An action line will introduce a character and describe things such as their appearance, walk, and personality. An action line will also explain how a scene appears, the weather, mood, and setting's qualities so readers can visualize where the story happens. Lastly, an action line will describe a character or object's action, such as a phone buzzing on a desk or a character stealing jewelry.

A script format also contains a speaking character's name written in caps in the middle of a page. The writer can use a character's first name or nickname; however, they must ensure they are consistent with their labeling. For characters in the voice-over or who appear off-screen, the scriptwriter uses O.S (off-screen) or V.O (voice-over) in labeling.

Dialogue is the fourth element of a script format. The goal of writing dialogue is to let characters have a voice. A dialogue appears at the page's center, like character names. The screenwriter will place them 1 inch or 2.5cm from the left margin and 1.5 inches or 3.75 cm from the right margin. Using software can be a great way to take care of formatting while focusing on the areas like characters.

Scriptwriters also use parentheticals and extensions to add context to what is happening in a screenplay. A parenthetical statement is a brief statement inserted into a piece of writing to give additional information about something. For instance, they can reveal what a character does while speaking or how they express words. On the other hand, an extension is a note that defines how the audience will hear the dialogue.

Shots and transitions are other vital elements of a script format. A shot briefly describes the camera angles, movements, or visual elements used when filming a scene. On the other hand, screenplay transitions are notes between scenes that indicate a switch in time, place, or scene. They include instructions like DISSOLVE TO to indicate a significant length of time has passed or CUT TO to signal a change to a different scene.

Following a script format is one way to ensure scripts are readable and understandable. It is also important because it is the standard way to write screenplays. Therefore, by understanding and following the proper format, a scriptwriter increases their chances of having their script considered by top movie companies.