Writing a Play for Sale

By New Artists Productions, Inc. | 06/28/2024

How Do Plays Become Saleable?

Formatting a play to be published and sold to multiple groups for production is a whole new avenue for playwrights to follow.

Industry standards for submittal to a script house are designed to take into consideration formatting that can be comparable between script houses. A template for submittals, if you will. It saves the playwright time and effort to comply with the standards rather than having to change the script format for each individual submittal.

Industry Standards

These standards listed below are not ‘hard and fast’ requirements for consideration, but they do give the prospective playwright a better idea for formatting.

  1. Scripts are written to entertain an audience or a reader. Use common language for easy reading and structure them for a time duration on stage of 90 minutes to 120 minutes. (Including Intermission Time)
  2. Though the story is written for an audience to understand and appreciate, someone has to read it and approve it before anyone sees it.

    Sampler of Play Script

    • Therefore, make the document easy to read by employing a standard format with clearly defined page numbers, scene and act break identifications.
  3. Font usage is a 12-point Courier New or Times New Roman.
    • A fancy font might be attractive to the playwright, but for the reader (the actor for instance) the lettering should be clear and non-confusing.

Where/How to begin?

There are several ‘professionally’ written software programs available to format the play script if the goal is to sell the play. Also, be aware that Microsoft Word can be formatted (styled) to fit your exact needs.

Layout of the play script:

  1. Initial Pages of the script: [Sample of the play script layout]
    • The copyright information is given at the beginning of the script with warnings and penalties for use without permission.
    • Author information, possibly a biography, also in the beginning pages
  2. Between the title page and the first page of the story and/or dialogue, the Cast of Characters section briefly defines the character. Note: making it easy for the director and casting coach to assign characters to those who will be in the play.
    • The age, gender, and name of the character is included. Oftentimes it is also written that the character may be either played by a male or female actor.
  3. For one act plays, the term ‘End of Play’ identifies the ending. For multiple act plays either ‘End of Scene #,’ ‘Blackout,’ or ‘Intermission’ show a change in direction in the play.
  4. Margin layout for the document:
    • Top: 1” – Header information, which carries across all pages of the document.
    • Left: 1.5” – Allows for binding document printed on one side of page.
    • Right: 1” – Dialog extends across page to 1” of page edge.
    • Bottom: 1” – Footer page numbering – Vital to keeping organization and reference to cast members.
    • Indented Printing: If printing the script for double sided binding for manageability, the side margin definitions are the opposite.
      • Right Margin should be: 1.5” and the Left Margin should be 1.0” [I.E., Odd number pages have Left: 1.5”; Even numbered pages have Right: 1.5”]
  5. Other Script Formatting Items:
    • Character names are ALL CAPS; centered on the page.
    • Stage action of the current character as a result of the dialog is in the center of the page and extends to the right margin. There are blank lines above and below the action.
    • Stage action as a result of the previous conversations or action is in the center of the page in parentheses.
  6. The standard font size is 12.0 point. The desired font is Courier New; however, Times New Roman is very acceptable.

Script Houses Receiving Newly Written Stage Play Scripts for Publication

Posted in Story/Script Creation

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