Lazy Bee Scripts
Putting on the Style

Overview

This page gives some basic information about the way we lay out stage scripts. Following this information will help us publish your script (if we accept it for publication!) If you are about to write a script, you may find this helpful.  If you've already finished the writing, then, before you start reformatting your script to meet the technical guidelines, first ask yourself whether or not we want it, then ask us the same question!
 
If we accept your script for publication, we will reformat it according to our House Style.  When we do this, there is a risk that we will lose some of the subtleties in your text.  The following guidelines will help you prepare the script for publication, and will minimise the risk of our editors doing damage to it!

Do all publishers format scripts in the same way?

• No.
• Each publishing house has a set of rules because, for example
  • Every speech within a script should look the same
  • To make it easy for actors and directors, one script should have the same formatting as another
• Sometimes, there are logical reasons for the details of a formatting rule
• Sometimes, there just has to be a rule - the details don't really matter, so
• We each have our own quirks.
• There is a US format, based on (a) Screenwriting and (b) the Typewriter which is radically different from our format.
  (We have noticed the existence of the word processor, and we believe in making scripts as easy as possible for actors to read at sight.)

General Guidance: Keep it simple

If possible, keep your formatting to a minimum, and observe the following guidelines.  (If you stick to these guidelines then we can apply our house style relatively easily.)

• Put a title, by-line and character list on the first page. See First Page
• Use the minimum number of heading styles (in principle, a maximum of three - title, act and scene)
• Observe our guidelines for stage directions. (Start by putting all directions into brackets)
• Format your speeches simply (a character name in Title Case, a colon, a tab and then the speech). If you want the actor to stress a word, put it in italics. If you want the actor to shout then either put in a stage direction - (shouting) - or put the shouted words in capital letters.
• Supply appropriate Production Notes at the end of your script
• Avoid all the pitfalls of trying to use your Word Processor as a typewriter
• Avoid using tables or columns for layout

Example

The following example shows

• Three levels of headings (Title, Act and Scene)
• Stand-alone directions
• Speeches (with and without embedded directions)

 
Making an Example
Act 1
Scene 1
(The stage is dark except for a small area around a gate, guarded by two sentries.  In the darkness, a match strikes, flares and goes out.) (The two sentries advance into the darkness.)