How to Format a Script With Final Draft
- 1). Open Final Draft. Click on "File" and "New." Select "Half-Hour Sitcom."
- 2). Click on the drop-down menu at the top of the screen that lists the various components of a script. Items in this menu include "cold opening," "dialog" and "action."
- 3). Choose "cold opening." Write "Cold Opening" in the main body of the document.
- 4). Use the dropdown menu to select "Scene Heading." Write the heading for your scene in the main body of the document. This should list whether it is an interior or exterior scene, the scene location and the time of day. Final Draft comes with built-in designations for some of these fields. Once you start typing, it will automatically give you a list of suggested entries. If one of these entries applies to your heading, select it.
- 5). Select "Action" from the drop-down menu. Begin writing the action of the scene. Be sure to capitalize the names of any characters you are introducing into your script.
- 6). Select "Character" from the drop-down menu. Enter the character's name for whom you will be writing dialog for. Final Draft will remember this character name so that all you have to do is type the first letter or two of the name for Final Draft to populate it the next time this character has dialog.
- 7). Select "Dialog" from the drop-down menu. Enter the character's dialog. Combine "action," "character" and "dialog" to write your scene.
- 8). Select "Transition" from the drop-down menu when switching to a new scene. Type "Cut To:" in the main body of the document.
- 9). Select "Scene Heading" from the drop-down menu when beginning your next scene. Follow the previous instructions to flesh out this scene.
- 10
Select "New Act" when you complete your first act. Begin your second act using the previous instructions.
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