Texting
There is no standard for formatting texting so there are a number of different approaches possible.
The following are suggestions -- not established standards -- but they follow logically from existing standards such as the EXTENSION, INSERT and INTERCUT.
From a production perspective, it's important to be consistent and facilitate the production breakdown where possible.
EXTENSION
For a short exchange you could signal that the "dialogue" is a text using an extension:
Emily's phone vibrates. She reads the message.
ALEX (TEXT)
There in 5
Emily responds.
EMILY (TEXT)
OK
She puts the phone down.
INSERT
For a single text:
INSERT - PHONE
I'm at the restaurant
BACK TO SCENE
For scrolling text:
INSERT - PHONE
Emily: I'm at the restaurant!
Alex: Delayed
Emily: When will you be here?
Alex: In 10
BACK TO SCENE
INTERCUT
For continuous text exchanges between 2 characters:
INT. BOOKSTORE - DAY
Emily picks up her phone.
INTERCUT - EMILY'S PHONE/ALEX'S PHONE
Alex and Emily text each other.
EMILY
They're here.
ALEX
I'll sneak in the back.
EMILY
OK
BACK TO SCENE
In production, texting can be shown in a number of ways, including, showing a close-up of the phone, or supering the entire text exchange over a shot.
Revised: March 23, 2024
© 2007-2025 Ken Briscoe