Two-Column Script Format (AV Script)

A two-column script splits the page vertically in two: the left column carries the picture (location, actor, movement, shot) and the right column the sound (dialogue, effects, music). In standard screenplay format everything runs down a single column: scene heading, action underneath, character name and dialogue in the middle. Film and TV scripts are written in the standard format; the two-column layout — also called an AV or split-page script — is mostly used for commercials, promos, corporate video, documentaries and technical shooting scripts.

How the two formats differ

Page layout: the two-column script splits the page in two; the standard format has a single column.
Picture and sound: in two columns, what's seen and what's heard are read side by side; in the standard format both run in the same flow.
Dialogue: in two columns it sits in the right column next to the character name; in the standard format the character name is centred and the line goes under it.
Use: the standard format is the norm for narrative film and TV; two columns help with work that needs shoot and edit planning.
Timing: the “one page ≈ one minute” rule belongs to the standard format; it doesn't hold on a two-column page.

One layout, several names

In English the layout goes by two-column script, AV (audio-visual) script or split-page script. In Turkish film education it's known as the “French format”. In France itself, professional feature scripts are mostly written in a single column with continuous dialogue (continuité dialoguée), and the two-column layout is used above all for the technical shooting script (découpage technique). So the name isn't about a country; what matters is which layout does the job in front of you.

Which job, which format?

Short film, feature, TV script, competition entry → standard screenplay format.
Commercial, promo, corporate video, music video → two columns (video | audio).
Documentary: because picture and sound move separately in the edit, two columns are practical.
Technical shooting script before the shoot: two columns help when you're writing shot by shot.

Two-column script example

The scene below is the second scene of “The Scale”, written in standard format on the screenplay example page — so you can compare the same scene in both layouts.

SCENE 2 — INT. BUTCHER'S SHOP – NOON

VIDEO	AUDIO
The door bell. NEVIN (70s, string shopping bag) comes in. She stops in front of the empty counter.	Door bell. Distant traffic hum from the street.
Cemal looks up.	NEVIN: Two hundred grams of mince.
Cemal takes the meat from the hook, cuts it, feeds it to the grinder. He puts the mince on paper and sets it on the scale. The needle stops at 220.	The grinder. The metal click of the scale.
Cemal takes a pinch of mince back. The needle drops to 200. Nevin watches.	NEVIN: Oh, come on, Cemal. It's twenty grams. CEMAL: You said two hundred.
Nevin leaves the money on the counter. She stops at the door and looks through the glass at the giant shop window across the street.	Coins on the glass. NEVIN: They're opening on Friday, they say.
Cemal doesn't answer. He wipes the knife. The door closes.	The knife rubbing against the cloth. Door bell.

Checklist

Does the left column carry only what's seen (location, actor, movement, shot)?
Are lines, effects and music marked separately in the right column?
Do both columns tell the same moment — can the eye match sound and picture on the same row?
Does this job really need two columns, or would the standard format serve it better?

Download as Word and PDF

Open the Word version and write straight over it; the PDF looks the same on every device and prints as it is.

You can write without downloadingStart writing in screenplay format →Senaryum — opens in the browser, nothing to install. It formats the slug line, the action and the dialogue as you type.You can try it without an account; you'll need one to save and download what you write.

Sample two-column script (video | audio)The same scene from “The Scale” in two columns: picture on the left, sound and dialogue on the right.Word (.docx)PDF

Blank two-column script templateAn empty video | audio table for ads, promos, documentaries and technical scripts.Word (.docx)PDF

Sample screenplay — “The Scale”A complete 5-page short film script in standard format: slug lines, action and dialogue.Word (.docx)PDF

Frequently asked questions

Which format do film and TV scripts use?

Standard screenplay format. Competitions, funding bodies and production companies generally expect it too, and screen time is estimated from it. You'll mostly meet the two-column layout in commercials, promos and documentaries.

How do I set up a two-column script in Word or Google Docs?

The easiest way is a two-column table: video on the left, audio on the right. The blank template you can download from this page is built exactly that way — you keep writing by adding rows.

Can I submit a two-column script to a screenwriting competition?

It's generally not recommended. Most competitions and funding applications expect a script in standard format, and the length is judged by that format. Unless the brief says otherwise, choose the standard format.