I worked in the multi-cam world for many many years. I was a production assistant, a writers' assistant, and a script coordinator.
And in a few of those roles, I was responsible for making sure the script looked right. This meant the formatting had to be perfect according to the rules.
And a multi-cam script has a lot of formatting rules. But why? Why make it difficult?
History of Multi-Cam Scripts
In the early days of TV, there was no differentiation between multi-cam and single-cam scripts. Because there was only multi-cam.
And the formatting of those scripts was derived directly from the theater. Plays have very strict formatting, and multi-cam adapted those rules for use in TV.
Since multi-cams still film in front of a live studio audience just like in the old days, the formatting has remained consistent. Meanwhile, single-cam TV scripts have adapted and become more reader-friendly.
Formatting Elements in Multi-Cam Scripts
There are a few things to watch out for in terms of formatting. Overall, multi-cam scripts are far more spread out because they're double spaced. And for that reason, a 30-minute multi-cam script can be up to 50-some odd pages.
Meanwhile, a 30 minute single-cam script that's ready to shoot is usually in the high-20's.
Here I want to go through the major differences to make sure you watch out for when formatting a multi-cam script.
Because, while you may look at a multi-cam script and be able to mimic it, there are some subtle differences you may not catch at first glance.
From the pilot of The Big Bang Theory
Double spacing
This is one your Final Draft program will take care of for you. When starting a new script, select "New From Template" and choose "Multi-cam Sitcom."
CAPITALIZED scene description / sometimes underlined
All scene description is capitalized throughout the script. And when a character enters or exits a scene, the character name and the action is underlined.
For example, "JOHN ENTERS THE CAFE AND SITS DOWN."
Parentheticals are within the dialogue
In most styles of script, the parenthetical is is a line lower from the dialogue. However, in multi-cam scripts, the parenthetical is in line with the dialogue and capitalized.
Characters are listed in every scene
Just under the scene header, the characters that will appear in that scene are listed within parentheses.
Skip to a new page at the end of every scene
This is again very unique to multi-cams. After every scene, you must skip to the next page and letter the next scene. This makes it easier for the crew on stage to refer to each scene as Scene A, Scene B, etc.
Tracking the days
Lastly, the days of the scenes are tracked and noted next to the scene headers. This is for wardrobe to make sure they know who should be wearing what. So, for example, if it is daytime on the first day of that episode, it should say D-1.
If it skips to night time of the next day, it would say N-2.
Multi-Cam Production
Most of these rules are really only used when you're producing a multi-cam. So, if you get a job as a production or writers' assistant on a multi-cam show, you can refer to this post to freshen up on your formatting.
I wouldn't necessarily suggest writing a multi-cam these days. There aren't enough multi-cam series right now to make your sample worth it.
Because, while you can use a single-cam sample to staff on a multi-cam, it's very hard to do the opposite because the tone is just so different and specific for multi-cam. They don't translate well.
Keep this in mind as you write your samples and target your ideal TV writers' rooms.
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