Send Your Scripts Link
: Use a specific shot heading if the audience needs to see the phone screen directly.
: Reflect real texting habits by including common abbreviations or emojis if they fit the character. Send your Scripts
Are you writing a right now that you'd like help formatting? : Use a specific shot heading if the
: For a single message, you can describe the action and include the text in quotes within the narrative. : For a single message, you can describe
If you are looking for how to include or format text messages within a screenplay, there is no single industry standard, but several common methods are widely used to ensure clarity for the reader. Common Script Formatting Methods for Text Messages
: How the text appears on screen (e.g., as floating bubbles or a close-up of the screen) is usually decided by the director, so you don't need to over-describe the visual effects in your script.
Example: He looks down at his phone. A message from Sarah: "Where are you?" .