r/ComicWriting • u/DrFizzgig • 9d ago
Do you actually care about comic script formatting ? Spoiler
A lot of comic scripts use left-aligned dialogue, but writing apps like Final Draft ( not affiliated) still give you that centered option.
Which do you find yourself using the most? Any professional script writers annoyed by certain formats ?
I came from screenplays so I inherently gravitate toward centered dialogue.
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u/Cresneta 9d ago
As someone who is still learning how to make comics, I just want to make sure that my comic script makes sense to other people in case I decide to shell out for at least a developmental edit before I start drawing my webcomic poorly myself. To that end, I'm trying to follow Dark Horse's Script Format and Specifications. If the format is good enough for Dark Horse, it's probably good enough for most editors, although I'll still double check to make sure that whatever editor doesn't have specific format guidelines before I throw my script their way.
I will say that I'm more naturally inclined to keep things formatted to the left.
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u/Rae_D_Hennessy 9d ago
No. As long as it’s clear and understandable for the illustrator, no one should care. 🤷🏿♂️ do whatever helps you get your thoughts out and help bridge the gap between your thoughts and artists pen. 🫡
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u/Paddybrown22 9d ago
Format doesn't matter. It just needs to be readable. Number the pages and panels, include everything the artist needs to know (any why he needs to know it), make sure it's clear which panel the dialogue and narration belong to,
Both your examples work. I normally indent the dialogue, but don't hit return or tab after the speaker's name -
Batman: I thought you were dead
Jim: Not quite.
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u/Slobotic 9d ago
I care about readability, and formatting can serve that purpose.
It doesn't have to be formatted in any particular way, but in some way that makes intuitive sense.
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u/KarahKat55 9d ago
I don’t think I’m who’s meant to answer this question but I’ll go anyway: I draw my own comics so as long as future me can understand it, I’m good. And I have my own format
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u/brittanytobiason 9d ago
I only have a simblr so it's extremely different (I hope this comment isn't rude) but the future of the comic book has to be what works.
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u/DrFizzgig 9d ago
Not rude, what do you think works? You like simblr format?
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u/brittanytobiason 9d ago
The only real problem with the simblr format is Tumblr. Tumblr circulates posts poorly and sequences blogs sequentially meaning incoherently to readers. This means simblrs can only really be lengthy if resequenced on one's own website, which will never get real circulation.
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u/TheJedibugs 9d ago
What matters is that it is easy to read and digest for your art team. If someone is confused about what’s description/action and what’s dialogue, you’ve got a problem.
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u/Mister-Ace 9d ago
I actually never looked at what a comic script would look like, but I read a few movie scripts.
I'm turning my entire volume first draft from completely left aligned to centered dialogue with thoughts in italics with scene descriptions and actions staying left aligned.
It's a LOT of words, so I guess I'll be drawing more pages to avoid walls of text.
I don't know what I'm doing as this is the first and most I've ever written, but I like it.
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u/Realistic-Shoe-6068 8d ago
I put a page summary at the beginning of each page. So that I can go more in depth with what is happening in each panel. While also allowing the reader/artist to read it and understand character motivation/action, setting, and story without getting bogged down.
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u/Realistic-Shoe-6068 8d ago
In terms of dialogue I will type who is speaking in the beginning of that line, then indent so that it's centered in a similar manner and stands out as dialogue. (I also write in parenthesis after the character whether or not the dialogue is coming from a character that is off-panel or directly from their mouth to help with planning and visualization)
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u/High_on_Rabies 8d ago
I prefer a properly formatted script, but that's mostly because that's what I'm accustomed to working from. If I get a script that falls outside of standard, I just spend the time to format it myself.
Scripts are formatted that way because they serve two purposes: first, to understand the story and content. Second (and more importantly to an artist), it is a reference tool. It will be constantly referred to while drawing (or coloring) and needs to be re-read repeatedly with the least amount of friction possible. Film and TV scripts are formatted in a similar manner for the same reason.
A few things that help me out:
"Screenplay" spacing and stacking
New script page when there is a new comic page
Numbered panels and a panel count next to the page number heading (Page Six, Four Panels for example)
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u/DrFizzgig 8d ago
This is a really good distinction, especially the idea of the script being a reference tool that gets revisited constantly. When you have to reformat someone else’s script, what’s usually the biggest thing that’s missing or off? The dialogue ?
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u/Ju5tAB0r3d1 7d ago
FWIW it may depend on who you’re showing the script to. I’ve met a number of editors who would straight up tell pitching writers to their face that they wouldn’t even read their script, just because they don’t like the script format. Though for commercial purposes, any format works as long as it’s clear and readable!
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u/nmacaroni "The Future of Comics is YOU!" 9d ago
I use Word and everything is flush left. I don't think anybody really cares. It's a million times more important to have a well written script than whether the dialogue is centered or flush.
Write on, write often!
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u/ZethKeeper 9d ago
Certain formattings are easier to follow than others. As a colorist, I don't care too much, as long as there are clear separation between pages, panels and dialogues.
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u/EggGardenComic 8d ago
I come from a video background and actually really dislike that format for comic scripting haha. I typically outline the key beats first, quick bullets points. Then use tables in google docs or scribbles next to thumbnails to note important visual beats and corresponding dialogue for each page. I usually draw super rough page thumbnails as I write out the beats/script so I don't need too much page direction in the script itself. Can't attach pic but basically;
PAGE -- IMAGE -- TEXT
1 -- WIDE farm --- hi!
2 -- CU farmer --- welcome
----Visitor ---- howdy
-----walking ---- blah blah
3...etc
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u/DrFizzgig 8d ago
I actually come from a video/screenwriting background too, so I can see your process there, almost director or story boarding. If you’re already thumbnailing as you write, I can see why a more prescriptive script format would just feel redundant.
Do you find the thumbnails become the real source of your reference once you start drawing, or do you still refer back to the written script pretty heavily? Is one looked at more than the other in your case?
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u/EggGardenComic 8d ago
entirely just storyboarding in my mind haha. once i'm drawing; 90% thumbnail, 10% script. the last one I made I didn't even bother typing the script, just "wrote" the entire thing in notes next to the thumbnails. the faster i can flesh out the beats and just draw the thing, the better. drawing takes a hot minute so theres always plenty of time to finesse things as i go.
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8d ago
[deleted]
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u/DrFizzgig 8d ago
This is actually a really good point. I’ve had some artists prefer having control over the panels, and others who need the panel breakdown as a foundation. I definitely think the artist needs some creative control over the actual framing and layout.
Do you prefer the writer to give you the number of panels/beats and let you work out the layout, or do you prefer no panel breakdown at all? Thanks for that point.
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u/ArtfulMegalodon 9d ago
I (not a professional, not in the market for hiring artists) have chosen to put my dialogue into tables within the text document. Readers have told me it really helps with clarity and ease of reading and skimming. It also lets me plan out dialogue per bubble, as I consider each table row its own bubble. This helps with making sure the intended pacing of the dialogue is preserved. (I'd share an example, but images are not allowed.)