When using the "side by side" method of overlapping dialogue, what are the correct margins for character names and their corresponding dialogue?  Thanks!

That's a good question. I looked through the screenwriter's bible, and couldn't find anything.

These are roughly correct. In inches, from the left, they are:


First name - 2 9/16
First dialogue - 1 7/16
Second name - 5 13/16
Second dialogue - 4 9/16


Some screenwriting software, such as Final Draft 8, will adjust it for you if you just write your dialogue, highlight it, and click under the format tab where it says dual dialogue.

The main thing to remember is to stay within your page margins. Honestly, by the time you put two different characters with two different pieces of dialogue, you really won’t have enough room to mess it up.

Hope this helps,


Breanne

Thanks for the info.  Yeah, I've been searching around as well and haven't been able to find anything concrete.  I'll play around with the margins and will advise as I learn more.

The margins I listed above are what Final Draft 8 sets them at automatically with its dual dialogue function. Final Draft software is devised with input from the WGA. That’s about as concrete as it gets.


Breanne


Addendum: I should note that what I stated above is based on the Final Draft standard screenplay format. There are different ways to format a screenplay that are acceptable depending on which studio or production company you’re writing for.

Hope that makes sense.

Thanks, Breanne!  I'm using Move Magic Screenwriter and with a little research, found out that it, too, has the dual dialogue feature.  I suppose I should get better acquainted with all its bells and whistles

That is good to know. I use scripped to write scripts on, and I'm not sure if they have the duel-dialogue function on it or not.

Quoted from Barry_Katz Thanks, Breanne!  I'm using Move Magic Screenwriter and with a little research, found out that it, too, has the dual dialogue feature.  I suppose I should get better acquainted with all its bells and whistles

You’re welcome. Glad to hear you have that feature. I’m still learning everything my software is capable of as well.

Quoted from CindyLKeller That is good to know. I use scripped to write scripts on, and I'm not sure if they have the duel-dialogue function on it or not.

I’m not very familiar with Scripped. If I had to guess, I would guess it doesn’t have a dual dialogue feature. Maybe someone more knowledgeable will jump in with some answers.


Breanne

Dual dialogue can be avoided with a little wordsmithing.

In unison:

BARRY
Really?

KATZ
Really?
  
or

BARRY/KATZ
Really?

or

BARRY
(in unison)
Really?

KATZ
Really?


Depends on how you want your page to look.  I prefer not to used dual dialogue cuz it messes with the single column look.

Just a thought.

Gary