Using Caps -- Stupid Post of the Day Award

Gina_Ritter · Dec 21, 2005

I took a break from putting my ideas into screenplay format for a few months and this is what I get. I have forgotten a few details.

I have things WRITTEN, but not in the exact format yet. I'm still
waiting for my knight in shining armor to get me REAL software.

But in the meantime, I want to start getting a few things put into Word docs in a real format.

Can someone give me a quick tutorial about which words are IN CAPS?

I already know about the INT. and EXT. lines. But am specifically looking for things like...

We SEE the monks walking below and HEAR the bell RINGING. Then MARGARET HOLDEN enters the room. We HEAR the STREETCAR CLANGING down the hill.

I know the caps signify the entrance of a new character in the screenplay, but what about things like sights and sounds? Were the caps correctly placed?

This is a bit from Memento that just further confuses me:

He has WRITING TATTOOED ALL OVER HIS CHEST, STOMACH AND ARMS. MESSAGES in different styles of writing, some CRUDE, some ELABORATE. The messages run in all directions, some UPSIDE-DOWN, some BACKWARDS. Leonard examines his tattoos, methodically. From Leonard’s POV, the most striking is an upside—down tattoo on his BELLY...

Where can I go to read up on this, or can someone give me a quick tutorial on the rules?

StephieM · Dec 21, 2005

You can use CAPS for sounds, but don't overdo it. A page full of Caps does not look good. CAPS can also be used for bringing attention to something, a cheat in directing the camera.

A PLANE shoots across the sky.

But again don't over do it.

Steph

dpaterso · Dec 21, 2005

There are no hard and fast rules, only opinions, and rule of thumb. As long as it's clear, that's what matters. Then again, that's only my humble opinion. I could be wrong.

Unfortunately you'll find crazy examples of caps usage in many scripts. That sample from Memento is boggling. But, they MADE THE FILM, so LET'S not THROW TOO many STONES.

As Steph suggests, caps can be a directing cheat, conveying a camera shot, e.g.

Mark opens the desk drawer. Inside, a BLOODY KNIFE.

...which suggests a shot, angle, or C.U. of the object.

Maybe next time we can take a moment to discuss present participle (e.g. monks walking below / the bell RINGING) vs. present tense (e.g. monks walk by below / the bell RINGS) -- and also overuse of "we see" which isn't necessarily wrong, but can result in needlessly weaker sentence structure. Ah, the joys of writing.

-Derek
-> * <- Click on this magic star to be transported to my website. Ruby slippers optional.
________________________________________________
The practice of art isn't to make a living. It's to make your soul grow. ~The Complete Handbook of Novel Writing (Kurt Vonnegut)

Gina_Ritter · Dec 21, 2005

Perfect, Steph, thanks!

Unfortunately you'll find crazy examples of caps usage in many scripts. That sample from Memento is boggling. But, they MADE THE FILM, so LET'S not THROW TOO many STONES.

Rahahahaaa. Ok, thanks.

Maybe next time we can take a moment to discuss present participle (e.g. monks walking below / the bell RINGING) vs. present tense (e.g. monks walk by below / the bell RINGS) -- and also overuse of "we see" which isn't necessarily wrong, but can result in needlessly weaker sentence structure.

Then it's a good thing the monks aren't in any script of mine. I pulled three sentences out of the ol' noodle and cared not whether they made sense.

Which brings me to how MANY screenplays have been bought with glaring errors throughout. Is that a testament to the IDEA being more important than the errors? :idea:

Though I suppose I'll need to try to be error free anyway!

Using Caps -- Stupid Post of the Day Award

Gina_Ritter

Into the fray with a giggle

StephieM

back in action!

dpaterso

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Gina_Ritter

Into the fray with a giggle