Q/A: The Correct Use of an Ellipsis in a Screenplay

Q: What is the correct use of an ellipsis? – Lauri Clark

Thanks for your question Lauri.

There are only two "correct" uses for an ellipsis in screenwriting:

1. To indicate that a character’s dialogue has trailed off
“Before you leave, I just want to say… “

2. To indicate that a character’s dialogue is mid-speech.
“… In other news, Mayor McDonald was re-elected today.”

The correct formatting for an ellipsis is three periods followed by a single space.