Forum: Author Hangout

Formatting Screenplays

Vincent Berg 🚫
Updated:

Tried researching this, but the Google search pages have NO baring to what I asked, and the only 'formatting' is how to pay to rebroadcast television programs.

I want to reference a quote from a Broadway play. Ross, I know you have a spare copy of CMOS lying around somewhere. Do I use Saint John Screenplay or Saint John Screenplay (separating the Play from the screenplay)? Finally, I seem to remember that plays are quoted while books are italicized, so would this be quoted or italicized?

No real rush on the information, but I'd like to document the source correctly.

Replies: Ross at Play

Ross at Play 🚫
Updated:

@Vincent Berg

I seem to remember that plays are quoted while books are italicized

The general distinction is that major works are in italics and sub-works in quote marks. Books, plays, and movies are all in italics.

I cannot see why you feel compelled to use title case for 'screenplay'. I'd be inclined to use:

the screenplay for Saint John

Perhaps adding the year of release inside parentheses and in Roman font would clarify for readers that you mean the movie with that title.

That is how I'd describe your source for the quote. In the additional information you provide so that others can find your source for themselves, I might then say 'published as Saint John Screenplay' plus the usual publishing details for a dead-tree book.

Replies: Vincent Berg

Vincent Berg 🚫

@Ross at Play

That is how I'd describe your source for the quote. In the additional information you provide so that others can find your source for themselves, I might then say 'published as Saint John Screenplay' plus the usual publishing details for a dead-tree book.

I only place the author, George Benard Shaw, with the quote, but I also try to keep the details short (if possible, as sometimes you've got to explain false attributions or incorrectly quoted references), so I'll leave it as "screenplay for Saint Joan (1923). I don't bother with publishers of page numbers, as that's enough to find the reference.

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Forum: Author Hangout

Formatting Screenplays

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