not like formatting a tv screenplay but more like how can i format something that happens on a tv screen in a certain scene? or a projector, even.

sorry if ti doesn't make sense, i can't think of any clear examples but maybe the halloween toy story short.

You can do it with an insert. e.g.,

INT. ESTHER'S  HOUSE/LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

Esther stares at a flat screen TV mounted on the wall

INSERT TV

A NEWS ANCHOR at a studio desk.

       NEWS ANCHOR
Esther won the lottery

       ESTHER (O.S)
Yes!

BACK TO SCENE

Esther dances around the living room.

Study Edward Neumeier's "Robocop" and "Starship Troopers", you will find many examples. "Starship Troopers" fades in exactly to that.

If we see the screen use an INSERT as eldave1 said above.

I actually use...

ON TV SCREEN

Then, when done...

RETURN TO SCENE

Quoted Text ON TV SCREEN Then, when done... RETURN TO SCENE

This. Alternatively...

ON TV

Stuff happens, and...

BACK TO [SCENE/CHARACTER NAME/ETC.]

Don't make it more complicated than it needs to be.


Don sits at a campfire in the woods. He stares at his phone.

One the screen, an Angry Bear.

Rattled, Don powers off his phone, sticks it in his pocket.


Any filmmaker will clearly understand what that means. There's no need to write BACK TO SCENE. However, there's nothing wrong by doing it either. Most people, readers and filmmakers alike, just want an easy read.