Asked by: Karen Conner

5 Tips for How to Introduce Characters in Your Screenplay

1. Introduce your character before giving them dialogue.
2. Format your character introduction properly.
3. Give an introduction for major characters only.
4. Give a meaningful description of the character.
5. Be brief!

How do you introduce a character in dialogue?

So here are some guidelines to get you started.

1. Show and tell. The best character introductions tend to include both a sense of what you see (the character’s physical appearance) and an intriguing tidbit about their personality and/or situation. …
2. Pick the right scene. …
3. Not all characters deserve a full-blown intro.

How do you introduce multiple characters in one scene?

The easiest solution is to split up the introduction. If it’s possible at all, have the MC share a scene with one or two characters, then with two or three others, and so on until you’ve introduced them all. It can also be helpful to mention a character not present in the scene, before he is properly introduced.

Do you describe characters in a script?

Character introductions in professional scripts tend not to directly describe the character as much as aspiring screenwriters are instructed to do. The character description component, sometimes, is only a word or two. Often simply because a longer description would interrupt the flow of the scene.

How are character names presented in a script?

As soon as they have been introduced, their name should be in lower case with the proper first letter of their name capitalized under normal grammar standards and practices with names within the scene description. Script format calls for all character names attributed to dialogue to be in FULL CAPS.

How do you introduce a character in a scene?

Here is some writing advice to help you introduce your characters as effectively as possible:

1. Don’t get bogged down in physical appearance. …
2. Give your character a memorable character trait. …
3. Start with backstory when appropriate. …
4. Introduce a character through action. …
5. Introduce the main character as soon as possible.

How do you introduce a movie character?

10 Ways to Successfully Introduce a Character

1. Induce action. …
2. Elicit contradicting reactions. …
3. Elevate the character’s status. …
4. Convey the film’s themes. …
5. Invite the audience into the character’s world. …
6. Introduce the fatal flaw as soon as possible. …
7. A technique of economy. …
8. Create anticipation.

How many characters should you introduce at once?

As a general rule of thumb I only introduce the main MAIN character in the first chapter. That’s to say, just one person. You can introduce someone else with them, but no more then one other person.

How do you introduce a large number of characters?

It’s about using broad strokes, tics, action, reaction, and moments to introduce characters as quickly as possible. This can be utilized in any genre where we have a group of characters that will be handling any given conflict at hand. Just stick to the essentials and the scene will write itself.

How do you write a scene with multiple characters?

Four Tips for Writing Scenes with Many Characters

1. Stick to a single point of view. Stay in one character’s point of view throughout the scene. …
2. No more than four or five speakers (maybe six) …
3. Don’t introduce any new characters in this scene. …
4. Try to use as much dialogue as possible, but use tags to keep it clear.

How do screenwriters come up with character names?

So if a character has hard sounds and their names that makes them a harder character. Then somebody with soft sounds in their names.

Where do you put the characters in a script?

‘ Often, screenwriters will begin with the character description before the formal introduction, and this can be done either with dialogue from a previous scene, or through action in the lines running up to the intro.

What is the proper place to put the character name on the page of a screenplay?

Character names are referenced in the screenplay in all capital letters when they are first introduced, and capitals are always used in dialogue headings. Further descriptions of what the character looks like or is doing use title case. Character cues are placed 4.2″ from the left edge of the page.

What are the 8 elements of script formatting?

The elements for a script are:

• Scene Heading.
• Action.
• Character Name.
• Dialogue.
• Parenthetical.
• Extensions.
• Transition.
• Shot.

What goes on the first page of a screenplay?

First thing’s first, the TITLE of your screenplay!



The title should be centered horizontally on the page. The title should start about 1/4 to 1/3 down the page (approximately 20-22 line spaces below the 1” top margin).

What does VO in a script mean?

voice-over

Any speech from a character who is not visible should be designated as either off-screen or voice-over. Such designation is abbreviated as “O.S.” or “V.O.” written in ALL CAPS as an extension to the character cue.

What does Sotto mean in a script?

softly spoken

Phrases like “beat” (a short pause), “re:” (“regarding”) and “sotto” (softly spoken) are particular culprits. But all actor directions should be used sparingly in film dialogue format.

What does Oov mean in a script?

Out of View

OOV stands for “Out of View,” and is used much like (O.C.) or (O.S.). It is a term primarily used in U.K. screenwriting, and rarely seen in American scripts.