Script Annotation Training Guidelines
In this training, you will be labelling different pieces of text in short tv series and movie scripts.
Please pay close attention to the instructions below, as they explain how to label text accurately:
• When selecting text for the label, please click, hold and drag.
• If two paragraphs with the same label appear one after the other but separated by a line break,
please label them separately.
The labels to be used are in bold and underlined below. The task is to highlight the corresponding piece
of text and apply the label accordingly.
• Page Header - The header at the top of each script page, consisting of for example the script’s
title, version color, version date and page number.
o Example: NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET - WHITE – 10/31/1983
o Not all scripts have page headers
• Scene Heading - The header marks the beginning of a scene. The following components may be
found in the header.
o Scene Number - What number is associated with this scene?
▪ Example: 8. INT. POLICE ACADEMY - CAFETERIA - AFTERNOON - CONTINUOUS
o Scene Type - Is this scene denoted as Interior/Exterior?
▪ Example: 8. INT. POLICE ACADEMY - CAFETERIA - AFTERNOON - CONTINUOUS
o Primary Location - Is there a location called out where the scene takes place?
▪ Example: 8. INT. POLICE ACADEMY - CAFETERIA - AFTERNOON - CONTINUOUS
o Secondary Location - Is there a sub-location within the primary location?
▪ Example: 8. INT. POLICE ACADEMY - CAFETERIA - AFTERNOON - CONTINUOUS
o Time of Day - Is the time of day mentioned, morning, night, dawn, etc.?
▪ Example: 8. INT. POLICE ACADEMY - CAFETERIA - AFTERNOON - CONTINUOUS
o Timeframe - Is there a timing that indicates the pace of the scene?
▪ Example: 8. INT. POLICE ACADEMY - CAFETERIA - AFTERNOON - CONTINUOUS
• Action - The description that’s used to explain what’s happening in the story.
o Example: An old, single-track train station. A slight breeze stirs the dry leaves scattered
across the platform. The distant sound of a train whistle echoes. JASON stands alone at
the edge of the platform, checking his watch. He shifts uncomfortably, glancing down
the tracks, but no train is in sight. He checks his phone. No signal. His brow furrows.
• Transition - A specific action element that calls out an editorial decision.
o Example: FADE TO BLACK or CUT TO
• Shot - When a specific camera direction is highlighted within the action text.
o Example: PAN TO or EXTREME CLOSE UP.
• On-Screen Text - When the script contains text that will appear on the screen.
o Example: Six days earlier
• Character - The character who speaks a line of dialogue.
o Example: NATALIA
• Dialogue - What lines of dialogue are being spoken in the script?
o Example: NATALIA
The past two weeks have been the happiest of my life.
• Character Stage Direction – Text in parentheses that indicates additional details about the
character, such as voice-over (V.O.), off-screen (O.S.) or the dialogue continuing from the
previous dialogue line (CONT’D).
o Example: NATALIA (O.S.)
• Continuation – A note on the bottom or top of a page to indicate if the scene is continuing to
the following page or started on the previous page.
o Example:
CONTINUED:
NATALIA
Do you have a moment to talk about our plans for the weekend?
• Parenthetical - Text in parentheses that indicates how a line should be delivered.
o Example: NATALIA
(devastated)
I was going to marry him.