How to Write a Split Script on Final Draft 7

The Final Draft 7 application is a standard for professional screenplay writing and includes many helpful features for creating a finished script. You can split the screen in two panels while writing or with your script already written. The screen can be split horizontally or vertically to help with utilizing two different windows at once. For example, you can view your index cards in one panel and your script in the other. You can also write a scene for showing two split screens at once on film.

Instructions

Splitting the Screen into Panels

1. Open the Final Draft 7 application on your computer. Click on the "File" option from the top toolbar menu.

2. Click on the "Open" option and the Open dialog box will appear. Locate the screenplay you want to create a split script for on your computer and then select the file so that it's highlighted.

3. Click on the "Open" button and allow time for the script to load.

4. Click on the "View" option from the top toolbar menu and then click on the "Split Vertically" option.

5. Click on the "View" option again and click on the "Split Horizontally" option if you want your script split horizontally.

6. Click on the "View" option and then click on the "Unsplit Panels" option to return to one panel.

7. Click on the "File" option and click on the "Save" option to save the changes to your script at any time.

Writing a Scene with a Split Screen

1. Open the Final Draft 7 file that contains the script that you want to create a split screen scene for.

2. Press the "Enter" key on your keyboard and then select the "[S] Scene Heading" option for the slug line format.

3. Enter "SPLITSCREEN" into the heading and then add a dash. Enter the name of one scene followed by a backslash.

4. Type name of the second scene you want to appear, followed by the time of day. An example would be, "INTERCUT -- INT. JANE'S BEDROOM/ JOHN'S BEDROOM --NIGHT".

5. Continue the scene with the dialog and action as you normally would.

References

• Ryerson University: Final Draft User Guide
• Final Draft: Overview