A script can be difficult enough to read if you aren't familiar with it, but the vocabulary and abbreviations can be a bit elusive. Here are some descriptions of some common script terms:
| TERM | DEFINITION |
|---|---|
| Ellipsis | Ellipses, or dot-dot-dots (…), are used to communicate a trailing thought in dialogue. As opposed to dashes, ellipses imply that there should be a pause before the next action or spoken line of dialogue. |
| EXT | EXT. stands for exterior; or when any shot takes place outside. |
| INT | INT. stands for the interior; or when any shot takes place inside. |
| VO | VO refers to voiceover; or when any character narrates over actions. Most of the time, VO comments on thematic beats rather than what’s happening at any given moment. |
| CUT TO | Changing suddenly from one shot to another. |
| FADE IN/OUT | A FADE is a transition that is almost exclusively used to mark the beginning and end of a script. Sometimes screenwriters use FADE TO BLACK or FADE FROM BLACK instead of simply FADE IN or FADE OUT. |
| POV | When we see POV in a script, it usually means that the camera is meant to substitute for the first-person point of view of a character. |
| Superimpose | Implies that the object should be “superimposed” onto a shot to communicate something (usually setting). |
| MS | Medium camera shot. |
| CU | Close-up camera shot. |
| WS | Wide camera shot. |
| ECU or XCU | Extremely close-up camera shot. |
| OTS | Over-the-shoulder camera shot. |
| BG | A term used for the word “background.” |
| SFX | Practical (usually) special effects. |
| VFX | Digital special effects. |