: If two characters are texting back and forth in different locations, you can use an INTERCUT heading, similar to a phone conversation. Tips for Effective Texting Scenes
: This is often the simplest and cleanest method. You treat the text just like regular dialogue but add a parenthetical notation. Send your Scripts
Example: He looks down at his phone. A message from Sarah: "Where are you?" . : If two characters are texting back and
: How the text appears on screen (e.g., as floating bubbles or a close-up of the screen) is usually decided by the director, so you don't need to over-describe the visual effects in your script. Example: He looks down at his phone
If you are looking for how to include or format text messages within a screenplay, there is no single industry standard, but several common methods are widely used to ensure clarity for the reader. Common Script Formatting Methods for Text Messages
: Reflect real texting habits by including common abbreviations or emojis if they fit the character.