EDIT - SLAGA - The basic question was about character cast lists but quickly became useful material for all aspiring writers. END EDIT.
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Hi, first post here.
I am currently writing a television series script (half hour sitcom) and I'm around the mid season mark.
One question, which I still can't find the answer to, is who exactly should be in the cast list, underneath the scene heading?
I am aware that the formats and rules are different for various genres and projects.
Final draft, automatically adds any character with a speaking role to the cast list, which is fine. A lot of the time though, there are key characters present, who may not speak during the scene. Obviously, I have been adding these myself. The show is based in a busy environment, where many characters (and extras) will be present at all times (regardless to if the scene is based around them or not). Should I be naming these characters in the cast list too? Should I also name extras in the cast list too (not individually, but naming their presence as simply 'extras')?
On the the script for the first episode, I have named every single type of character in the cast list for every scene, including non speaking roles, background supporting characters and extras, hence a lot of names being mentioned, which might put the reader off. If I don't mention the names, then scenes could become confusing, as my show is generally in real time, meaning characters locations and whereabouts has to make sense, for continuity reasons.
Any advice will be much appreciated here.
Thanks