INTRODUCTION
PART I: THE GROUND RULES
Chapter 1: Writing the Dramatic Story
Dramatizing a Story
Film as a Collaborative Art Form
The Writer’s Domain
Screenplay Versions
Chapter 2: Screenplay Language, Ground Rules
Single-Camera Style
Script Language Fundamentals
PART II: THE INDUSTRY STANDARDS
Chapter 3: Screenplay Format Basics
The Technical Specs
Master Scene Format
The Six Elements of Master Scene Format
Sample Script Page
Chapter 4: Scene Headings and Secondary Headings
Scene Heading Essentials
What is a Scene?
Special Scene Relationships
Secondary Headings
More on Scene Headings and Secondary Headings
Chapter 5: Scene Transitions
Scene Transition Essentials
More on Scene Transitions
Chapter 6: Scene Directions
Scene Direction Essentials
Playable reactions
Paragraphing Scene Directions
Capitalization Rules
Quotation Mark Rules
How Much is Enough?
In Practice
Chapter 7: Character Cues (and Extensions)
Character Cue Essentials
Character Cue Extensions
Chapter 8: Dialogue
Dialogue Essentials
Foreign Languages
Chapter 9: Personal Directions (Parentheticals)
Personal Direction Essentials
Chapter 10: Beginning and Ending Your Script
The Standard Beginning and Ending
Starting with Sound, Dialogue, or Text Before Image
Using a Credit Sequence or Title
Chapter 11: Multiple Action Areas
Phone Calls: Three Ways
Parallel Action (Intercutting Scenes)
The Montage and Series of Shots
Car Scenes
Chapter 12: Character Names and Introductions
Naming Characters
Character Introductions
Chapter 13: Managing Time on the Page
Running Time vs. Story Time
Basics of Time on The Page
Forward Temporal Leaps
Elliptical Time Within a Scene
Time Between Scenes
Backward Temporal Leaps and Suspended Time
Reminder: Time Language Caution
Chapter 14: Written and Screen Content
Letters, Emails, and Text Messages
Text On Screen (Over Black and Superimposed)
Using Screens: TV, Projected, and Others
Chapter 15: Script Delivery Details
Script Delivery
Chapter 16: Why These Rules?
The Function of Standards and Norms
Chapter 17: Sample Spec Script
PART III: EXPRESSIVE SCREENWRITING
Chapter 18: Establishing POV on the page
The POV Layers
Establishing the Central Character POV
The Implied Central Character and Prevailing POV
Character POV and Subjectivity on the Page
Visual POV Cues
Sound POV Cues
Dialogue POV Cues
The First-Person Plural Perspective.
Chapter 19: Writing With Style I: Within the Conventions
Precision in Language
Write With Movie Energy
Visual Writing
Narrative Emphasis
Flow
The Sound World
Style and the Writer’s Voice
In Practice: Four Extended Excerpts
Chapter 20: Writing With Style II: Bending and Breaking the Conventions
Rules for Breaking Rules
Why Bend Conventions and Break Rules
Pushing Conventions: A Few Transgressive Techniques
Ultra Rare Transgressions
Make It Work
Chapter 21: Common Pitfalls, Gaffes, and Rookie Blunders
The Writing Process
General Language Issues
Screenplay Language Issues
Dialogue Issues
Technical Format Issues
Delivery Issues
Biography
Mick Hurbis-Cherrier teaches screenwriting, story analysis, and film production at Hunter College in New York City. Professionally, he has worked as a screenwriter, script consultant, director, cinematographer, and editor. His films have garnered prizes at many festivals. He is the co-author of Directing: Film Techniques and Aesthetics (2020), now in its sixth edition, and Voice & Vision: A Creative Approach to Narrative Filmmaking (2025), now in its fourth edition.
'"Mick is an expert of the first order. I can attest to that personally — as can the many other writers he has mentored over the years. Whether I’m writing a feature or a TV series, I discuss every project with Mick to get his insights. And now he’s created this excellent style manual that fully reveals how screenplays are written today. Mastering Screenplay Form and Style explains not just the how-to, but the when-to and why-to. From the novice to the professional, screenwriters of all levels will undoubtedly benefit from having this book on their desk.''
William H. Collage, Screenwriter (Emancipation, Assassin’s Creed, Allegiant)
''Finally, a screenwriter’s style manual that reflects how professionals write. Mick Hurbis-Cherrier understands the careful balance a screenplay must strike between practical function and creative expression. If you have the story, this book will take you the rest of the way.''
Gabrielle Mahon, Producer (Succession, Ben is Back)
"Hurbis-Cherrier’s approach to craft embraces the form’s full capacity for expressing style, tone, imagery, and emotion. This is an essential guide for serious writers and is the first textbook I’ve ever assigned in my screenwriting classes."
Dave Monahan (Professor of Film University of North Carolina Wilmington, Author of Looking at Movies)
