NewEnglandFilm.com Style Sheet

Here are some guidelines that all articles on NewEnglandFilm.com must follow for publication.  Also, use dictionary.com for spelling, dictionary and thesaurus or Elements of Style or other Bartleby books for grammar help.

Abbreviating
Dashes
Dates & Times
Internet Terms
Interviews 
NewEnglandFilm.com References
Numbers
Quotes 
Titles - in Italics

Abbreviations are fine, but the full spelling should be included in first-time reference. For example:

The Independent Feature Project (IFP) is an organization for filmmakers across the country. The main goal of the IFP is to help filmmakers promote their works.

DASHES
Use double dashes not long dashes:

Several films screened -- although no filmmakers attended.

If writing a single date:

August 24th

If writing a set of dates:

August 24–30, 2001

If writing a decade date that is not in this century:

1960s

If writing a decade date that is in this century (probably won’t be all that applicable just yet):

‘30s

When writing time of day:

8 pm

Always capitalize Internet.

Use website.

When an URL comes at the end of a sentence, put a period after it.

Always type www.websitename.com but don't type http://.

Use e-mail not email.

Always use the initials of the interviewer and the last name of the interviewee, and bold:

SH: Why do you make films?

Wiseman: Because I like them.

When referring to an interviewee, refer to their last name.

Since 1990, Wiseman has produced several films.

Use NewEnglandFilm.com or NewEnglandFilm.com.

The numbers 1 – 9 should be written out:

There were three cats in the room.

Numbers above nine should be numbers:

There were 11 cats, 100 dogs, and 1,000 birds.

Numbers in a series should be written as follows:

Competitors 1-8 will be first; competitors 152 – 160 will be next.

Numbers starting a sentence will always be spelled out:

Five hundred movies were at the festival.

Awards:

The first place winner
The 14th place rider

Write out percents:

5 percent
100 percent

Always put periods and commas inside quotation marks. 

"It’s a great film," said Wiseman.

Put question marks and exclamation points inside quotation marks unless they apply to the sentence as a whole. For example:

He wondered, "Will this film be a success?"
Has anyone heard him say, "Don’t watch that film"?

Movie titles, book titles, television programs, and episode titles should be in italics.

Exhibits and programs should be in title case:

The Wiseman Retrospective
Screenwriting for Dummies

Individual pieces within an exhibit should be in italics:

The Scream was on exhibit at the MFA.