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Open your script with a FADE IN or a BLACK SCREEN.
FADE IN
The most common opening for a screenplay is a Fade In to the first scene/image.
FADE IN: is formatted as a Shot.
FADE IN:
INT. THRIFT STORE - DAY
ALEX, a man in his early twenties, dressed in a sports jacket with no shirt, stumbles towards the checkout counter.
etc.
BLACK SCREEN
If you open with a black screen, don't forget to add "FADE IN:" once the opening is done.
Black screen with text
If you want to open on a black screen with superimposed text, use the following approach:
BLACK SCREEN:
SUPER:
"My words fly up, my thoughts remain below:
Words without thoughts never to heaven go."
Hamlet (III, iii, 100-103)
Words without thoughts never to heaven go."
Hamlet (III, iii, 100-103)
FADE IN:
INT. THRIFT STORE - DAY
ALEX, a man in his early twenties, dressed in a sports jacket with no shirt, stumbles towards the checkout counter.
etc.
Black screen with sound/dialogue
For a black screen opening with sound/dialogue:
BLACK SCREEN:
WILLIAM (V.O.)
My words fly up, my thoughts remain below: Words without thoughts never to heaven go.
FADE IN:
INT. THRIFT STORE - DAY
ALEX, a man in his early twenties, dressed in a sports jacket with no shirt, stumbles towards the checkout counter.
etc.
Black screen within the script
For a black screen scene within your script:
FADE TO BLACK:
Muffled screams and sound of a struggle.
WILLIAM (V.O.)
No!
FADE IN:
INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT
William bolts up.
TV
Start the first page with TEASER, followed by FADE IN: then start your first scene. This assumes the show starts with a Cold open.
TEASER
FADE IN:
INT. BOOKSTORE - DAY
Customers mill around the bookstore...
Revised: February 9, 2020
© 2007-2025 Ken Briscoe