Formatting a Professional Title Page for Screenplay

Industry readers often scan the title page for screenplay submissions before deciding if your script gets a fair read—one formatting misstep can be all it takes to lose their trust.

We know how easily doubts can creep in around getting it right. That’s why we’ve created a clear guide with:

• Essential rules for a professional title page for screenplay submissions

• Practical steps for formatting credits, contact info, and versioning

• Common mistakes and expert tips to help your work stand out instantly

Understand Why the Title Page for Screenplay Matters

Screenwriters and film school applicants, you get one shot to make a first impression. The title page is your script’s ambassador. It signals if you understand the business, the rules, and the expectations of Hollywood professionals. Producers, agents, and contest judges form an opinion about you before they read a single line.

The best title pages:

• Instantly communicate professionalism: When a pro reads your title page, clean design in Courier 12-point tells them you know the craft. Scripts with errors on the title page for screenplay submissions are weeded out faster.

• Survive industry gatekeeping: Production assistants are taught to look for errors or oddities on the title page. If anything is off, your script may not get read.

• Open doors in competitions: Major contests require precise formatting. Even a small misstep, like using the wrong font or including your WGA registration, can lead to disqualification.

• Build reader trust: Agents and producers see correct formatting as a signal. They assume you’re worth their time and may keep reading your script.

• Avoid early bias: A tight, polished title page banishes doubts about your experience and discipline.

Here at WriteSeen, we’ve seen creators land meetings—and get passed over—based only on their first page. That first look can launch your career or shut it down. If you want to play by the industry’s rules, perfect this step.

A strong title page for screenplay submissions establishes credibility in seconds. Weak formatting can shut doors no matter how impressive your story is.

Identify the Essential Elements of a Screenplay Title Page

A winning title page boils down to precise ingredients. This is not art. It’s craft. You need every detail in the right place, every time.

Must-Include Elements for Every Script

The key info required:

• Script title, centered, ALL CAPS. This is non-negotiable. Example: THE LOST ROAD.

• "Written by" or "By" line, centered, two clear lines beneath the title. It can’t overlap, crowd, or disappear.

• Author’s name (or names), centered, two lines under byline. If there’s more than one, handle with & or "and" properly.

• Additional credits (Story by, based on, etc.) exactly as industry expects. Never improvise.

• Contact info placed at the bottom left or right. Use your email or (if represented) your rep’s info.

• Date and version (only if requested). Never clutter the page by default.
  
  

Do this right, and you show the reader you respect their process and value their time.

Formatting Guidance

• Font: Courier 12-point only. Every professional uses this standard. No variants.

• Margins: Top/bottom 1 inch. Left 1.5 inches (for binding), right 1 inch. Keeps the page clean and printable.

• Spacing: One third of the page blank before the title block.

• Co-writers: Use "&" for teams, "and" for sequential writers.

• Adaptations: Use "Based on the novel by..." or "Inspired by..." as needed. No creative riffs here.

Writers Guild guidelines, major producers, and contests reject scripts that break these conventions. If you want your script seen and respected, hit every one.

Explore Step-By-Step Instructions for Formatting the Title Page for Screenplay

How do you format a screenplay title page the right way? Follow clear steps to build trust and avoid silent disqualification.

Precise Placement

• Center the title. Drop it about one third down the page, so it stands alone.

• Two lines below, center “Written by” or “By.”

• Two lines below again, center the author’s name.

• Adaptation or story credit goes between author and contact if required.

• Contact details tuck in bottom left or right—avoid clutter.

How-To in Popular Tools

Most screenwriting apps (like Final Draft or Arc Studio) have built-in title page templates. Double-check line spacing, capitalization, and placeholder text after exporting to PDF. Even with software, your eyes are the last line of quality control.

Manual formatting? Set margins, center everything important, and use blank lines (about four) between sections.

Great Resources for Visual Reference:

• Produced script examples

• Industry template gallery

Getting this wrong means your script looks like an amateur’s, not a pro’s.

Always check your title page for screenplay submissions in PDF before sharing or submitting—export errors can make you look sloppy.

Recognize What Not to Include on a Screenplay Title Page

Many writers sabotage themselves here. Don’t give readers a reason to say "no" before page one.

Common Failure Points to Dodge:

• No logos, images, watermarks, or fancy fonts.

• No draft numbers, copyright marks, or WGA registry info unless required.

• Never add a logline, tagline, or personal notes.

• Keep it clinical, clean, and concise.

Even a tiny (c) or splash of color on a title page for screenplay submissions screams 'amateur hour.'" Copyright is automatic. Loglines and taglines belong in pitch docs, not here. Draft numbers make you look unsure. Visual clutter signals you haven’t done the homework.

A blank, minimalist page is the mark of a pro. Less is much, much more.

Format Contact Details and Professional Information Correctly

Your contact info should work for you, not against you. Do it by the book, and you lower barriers for agents, reps, or industry scouts to reach you.

• Place info at the lower left or right (never centered). Include your best email and phone.

• Repped? Use only your agent or manager’s details. Readers expect to reach out via your team.

• Skip your home address for privacy. It's no longer standard unless a submission guide demands it.

• For global submissions, add country codes to phone numbers. Adapt address formats for the destination.

• Use a professional email—no informal handles.

• If submitting to contests, always check their rules—most want your name and contact omitted for blind judging.

At WriteSeen, we give you full control over who sees your details. Upload your script, store it securely, and decide exactly which contacts see your info. This keeps your privacy intact and builds trust with every submission.

A clean contact section on a title page for screenplay submissions shows readers how to reach you, while a secure workflow ensures your details are safe and visible only when you choose.

Use Best Practices for Special Situations and Collaboration Credits

Screenplays are often collaborative or based on existing works. Buyers, producers, and agents will look for clear, proper crediting. Mess this up, and you look inexperienced. Nail it, and you build trust with every reader.

Collaboration and Authorship Credits

• Use "&" if two writers worked as a team. Example: JANE DOE & MIKE SMITH signals they wrote together.

• Use "and" if writers contributed separately. Example: JANE DOE and MIKE SMITH means one started, the other finished.

• List the primary contributor first unless otherwise specified in a contract.

This difference is more than a detail. It is industry code. Professionals spot these signals instantly and judge you by them.

Adaptation and Source Acknowledgement

If your script is adapted—or inspired by something—state it clearly:

• “Based on the novel by [Author’s Name]” for direct book adaptations.

• “Inspired by the true story of [Event or Person]” when based on real life.

• “Based on the play by [Writer]” if working from a script.

Follow the Writers Guild’s guidelines for accuracy. Review their official credits manual for complex situations. This protects you legally—and marks your script as professional.

Precise crediting honors all contributors and signals your respect for the industry’s working norms.

Learn How to Format the Title Page for Screenplay Using Industry-Standard Software

Software automates title page tasks but does not guarantee perfection. Always double-check every exported page.

Getting Results with Screenwriting Tools

• Final Draft, Celtx, and Arc Studio come with title page templates. Stick to the defaults, but review for error-free spacing and font.

• When exporting to PDF, watch for margin or alignment glitches.

• Manual formatting? In Word, set to Courier 12-point, center all main elements, and use blank lines to create balanced spacing.

• Always run a side-by-side comparison to a working industry sample of a title page for screenplay formatting.

At WriteSeen, you can upload, timestamp, and control access to your polished script versions. This protects you and lets you share a flawless draft any time a producer calls.

View Visual Examples and Templates of Professional Screenplay Title Pages

Seeing strong examples cements your understanding of what works. Compare your drafts to industry samples before sending them anywhere.

Top Resources for Templates and Examples:

• SoCreate’s screenplay title pages. Clear, annotated breakdowns of do’s and don’ts.

• John August’s script library. Browse Oscar and Emmy-winning scripts for real-world reference.

• TV pilots vs. features: Know that pilots sometimes list season and episode info, but everything else matches film formatting.

These resources keep your learning grounded in what real professionals use—no guesswork, just standards.

Study produced script examples to lock in the subtle details many amateurs overlook.

Answer Common Questions About Screenplay Title Pages

Screenwriters always ask about the small stuff. Here’s what matters most.

Popular Title Page Questions

• Should I ever style or brand the title page? No—keep it clinical. Creativity belongs within the script, not on the cover.

• Do I need a date or version? Only if explicitly requested; otherwise, leave it out to avoid confusion.

• How about contests or festivals? Check every rule. Many require blind submissions with no names or contact info.

• Where are the best free templates? JohnAugust.com and SoCreate offer vetted examples ready for industry eyes.

• How and when do I update the title page? Change the date or version in the corner only when sending to a collaborator or producer who requests it.

Do it right every time, and you lower the risk of disqualification and speed up discovery.

Avoid Costly Mistakes: Final Checklist Before Submitting Your Script

Before any submission, review this list to make sure your title page meets every expectation.

Rapid Title Page Review:

• Title, byline, author—centered, correct, and spaced.

• Contact info in the right place, clearly typed.

• No loglines, graphics, logos, or version stamps unless required.

• Font set to Courier 12-point and margins checked.

• Scan for typos and compare against at least one pro template.

We recommend one last test: export your script to PDF and open it on multiple devices. You want the formatted look to hold up everywhere.

A properly formatted title page for screenplay submissions—built on simplicity, clarity, and discipline—gets you noticed by serious industry professionals.

Conclusion: Title Page for Screenplay Success

Your title page for screenplay submissions is more than a formality—it’s the first impression that decides if your script gets a fair chance. One formatting slip can shut you out, while a clean, precise page signals professionalism and discipline.

By mastering the standards—title placement, byline, credits, and contact details—you remove doubt and let your story take center stage. Industry readers know instantly if you respect the craft, and that awareness can open the very doors you’ve been working toward.

On WriteSeen, you can perfect your title page for screenplay submissions, timestamp your drafts, and share them securely with agents, producers, and peers. Join our global creative community today and give your script the professional edge it deserves.