If you’re writing a spec screenplay,your title page should contain the following information:
- Your script’s title
- The name of the writer(s)
- Your contact information
SCREENPLAY TITLE
Your title should be:
- Centered 4″ from the top.
- In all CAPS.
- Underlined with a continuous underline .
NAME OF WRITER
If you’re the sole writer, you’ll use this format four lines below the title (please note that you can substitute “written by” with “screenplay by”):
written by
Name of writer
Writers collaborate on screenplays. Sometimes they work in a team and sometimes they don’t. Teams of writers will use the “&” symbol between their names. Writers who worked independent of each other will use “and.”
DIVIDING SCREENWRITING CREDIT / STORY CREDIT / ADAPTATION CREDIT
If you need to distinguish between story and screenwriting credit, use the following format (please note that there are two spaces between “Name of Writer” and “story by”):
screenplay by
Name of Writer
story by
Name of Writer & Name of Writer’s Teammate
If you’re adapting a novel on spec, I hope it’s in the public domain:
written by
Name of Writer
based on the book by
Name of Author
CONTACT INFO
The place for your contact information starts on the bottom left side of the title page. Use a 1.2″ margin:
CONTACT:
Name of Contact
Phone Number
Email Address
You can also squeeze in an address in between Name of Contact and Phone Number. Remember, there are no spaces between each field.
Now, you can put the date of the draft, your WGA information, or a copyright notice, but I don’t believe any of it’s necessary. Just make it simple. Personally, I’d keep a date off my draft — you want the reader to believe it’s the first draft. Remember, always register with the WGA and the US Copyright Office before sending out your work (or the appropriate copyright office in your country).
How would you write the title page if you are using a pseudonym?
Also I would love to get your opinion about how rigorous one should be in the using that pseudonym in life? I would imagine that those who might produce your work would know your real name, correct?
But I am curious as to exactly how one begins to integrate a pseudonym into life so that it is useful for privacy of self and others, but also manageable?
I appreciate your expertise,
Hi Lorelei – It’s as simple as putting the pseudonym on the page instead of your real name. Now, if your work has a legitimate offer on the table then following your attorney’s advice is good practice in regards to your privacy options.
I’ve seen title pages with contact information on the right side. Is that the wrong way of doing it or does it not matter either way?
I don’t think it matters either way.