Newbie with question of formatting

Jonesy · Aug 8, 2006

First, I'm happy I found this place. As someone just now getting ready to write the first scene of his screenplay, I think I might learn alot here.

On to the question:

I recently read an article (albeit undated) that says most formatting should now be removed from submitted screenplays.

Things such as; CUT TO:, ANGLES, WIDE SHOT, and even MORE and CONTINUED aren't used anymore. The thinking being is these things are the director's choice, and I have to say I agree with it.

If I was a director or actor, I wouldn't want the script so laid out in front of me like that; seems that would stunt my creativity just a bit. I think it also makes the screenplay much easier to read.

Is this something members here agree with?

If so, what if the writer wants something in particular? For instance;

<SLUG LINE>

ABOVE ANGLE: a 1950's Rolls Royce is driving on a road flanked by thick woods.

becomes:

The camera looks down on a 1950's Rolls Royce driving on a road flanked by thick woods.

Would that be acceptable?

Thanks!

Jonesy

dpaterso · Aug 8, 2006

Welcome to the forum!

You've reasoned that camera directions should remain the director's business (true, if you're a spec writer) but then you direct a high angle camera shot? Huh?

EXT. COUNTRY ROAD - DAY

Flanked by thick woods. A 1950s Rolls Royce cruises serenely.

...Does it need to get more complicated than that?

If you haven't already, check out the tips thread which contains info plus links that you may find useful, including how to format scripts, sites with free scripts for educational purposes, etc.

-Derek
My Web Page - shameless vampyre fiction & other shameless writings.
Take the critiques you get with a grain of salt. Invariably, some of the critics will be kooks, bitter curmudgeons, or complete fools. ~odocoileus

English Dave · Aug 8, 2006

What's an ABOVE ANGLE?

Say what you see.

WritingFool · Aug 8, 2006

Your job as writer is to create the visual on paper.
The director's job is to capture the shot, and convey the visual to the audience.
Sometimes a writer gets it just right, other times director/or producer will use their 'veto' power, because they thinks of a better or more cost effective way of shooting it.
But once youve signed the story away, theyll do with it what they want.
A writers job is to just put it in the directors/producers hands and exchange their story for some cash/green/bread/mula/presidents.
Otherwise, direct the darn thing yourself.

Just use the description that best paints the illustration you have in your mind. If its good enough, youll get the attnetion you want.
End of story!

Point being, do whatever it takes to create the visuals you want to get the attention you need to make an option/sale/credit.

dpaterso · Aug 8, 2006

Then again, if the high angle is really important because it reveals something, you can say this in a variety of ways, e.g.

POV - looking down at a 1950s Rolls Royce with a naked blonde lying on the roof.

We're looking down at a 1950s Rolls Royce with a naked blonde lying on the roof.

Seen from above, a naked blonde lies on the roof of a 1950s Rolls Royce.

...Eh, I just like typing "naked blonde"

-Derek
My Web Page - shameless vampyre fiction & other shameless writings.
Another one of them new worlds. No beer, no women, no pool parlors, nothin'. Nothin' to do but throw rocks at tin cans, and we gotta bring our own tin cans.

Jonesy · Aug 8, 2006

Nice to see everyone's so welcoming here. Perhaps dpaterso didn't read the first line when I mentioned this is my first attempt at screenwriting.

Perhaps dpaterso also missed the point where I mention IF a writer wants something in particular.

Hopefully others can answer questions without trying to make someone new feel inadequate.

dpaterso · Aug 8, 2006

Oh dear, so sorry for making you feel inadequate. That was meant to be good advice. Read 100 scripts and you'll feel better. You also won't have as many questions.

-Derek
My Web Page - shameless vampyre fiction & other shameless writings.
It wasn't until about the fifth draft that I really began to figure it out. It was then that I realized he's dead. It took me five more drafts to execute it right. ~M. Night Shyamalan

WritingFool · Aug 8, 2006

why you always go pickin on the newbies Dpat!

dpaterso · Aug 8, 2006

Shrug, I dunno, one moment the conversation seemed to be about camera directions being the director's gig, the next, I'm a bad person. I better work on my helpful advice technique 'cause I suck.

-Derek
My Web Page - shameless vampyre fiction & other shameless writings.
Bunnies aren't just cute like everybody supposes!
They got them hoppy legs and twitchy little noses!
And what's with all the carrots?
What do they need such good eyesight for anyway?
Bunnies, bunnies
It might be bunnies!

Jonesy · Aug 8, 2006

"Trying" was the key word, dpaterso. Although I wish I had read your 2nd post before sending mine. That was the type of feedback I was hoping I could get here.

As for the tips section, I certainly will be checking it out, thank you. Although I hope I can continue to ask questions on the forum.

I'm good if you're good.

English Dave · Aug 8, 2006

Jonesy said:
Perhaps dpaterso also missed the point where I mention IF a writer wants something in particular.

.

If it helps I think you're being a d1pshit too?

Ditch the ego and listen.

WritingFool · Aug 8, 2006

HAHHAHA gotta love this tight knit circle they have here.
You tell em english

Jonesy · Aug 8, 2006

yeah, was the ego comment for me or for dpaterso?

English Dave · Aug 8, 2006

Jonesy said:
yeah, was the ego comment for me or for dpaterso?

Subtext is a sceenwriter's tool Jonesy.

How about some people from wherever have the nounce and will to reply to these kind of threads. Dpat is one of those. Count yourself lucky.

Or not.

It's all good.

WritingFool · Aug 8, 2006

Talk about dense. Man!!!
This guys as thick as they come.

English Dave · Aug 8, 2006

WritingFool said:
Talk about dense. Man!!!
This guys as thick as they come.

Were you talking about me or Jonesy?

Jonesy · Aug 8, 2006

Ah, English Dave, I write all of 7 or 8 lines beyond my first post and somehow you know I have an ego.

Sorry, you're wrong. I realize I know little about screenwriting. But what I don't appreciate is someone responding to a thread without, seemingly, taking the time to read it, and, phrasing their comments in such a way as to make some feel uncomfortable.

Tell you what, if you guys want the last word, fine, I'm done with this thread. Hopefully in future posts I might make, we can get past this. If not, oh well.

English Dave · Aug 8, 2006

Jonesy said:
Ah, English Dave, I write all of 7 or 8 lines beyond my first post and somehow you know I have an ego.

Sorry, you're wrong. I realize I know little about screenwriting. But what I don't appreciate is someone responding to a thread without, seemingly, taking the time to read it, and, phrasing their comments in such a way as to make some feel uncomfortable.

Tell you what, if you guys want the last word, fine, I'm done with this thread. Hopefully in future posts I might make, we can get past this. If not, oh well.

You can definitely have the last word.

Oh get over yourself Jonesy! Dpat gave you good advice. I'm sure there are no hard feelings anywhere.

dpaterso · Aug 8, 2006

Re-reading my first reply I still don't know what I said wrong, but plainly it's time to put this thread to bed. Let's try to keep things civil, everyone. There are plenty of wars happening in the world already.

-Derek
My Web Page - shameless vampyre fiction & other shameless writings.
terrorschitzen n. - the awful feeling that comes over you when you realize you've sent an insulting email or PM to someone because you completely misunderstood their last communication.

Newbie with question of formatting

Jonesy

dpaterso

Also in our Discord and IRC chat channels

English Dave

WritingFool

dpaterso

Also in our Discord and IRC chat channels

Jonesy

dpaterso

Also in our Discord and IRC chat channels

WritingFool

dpaterso

Also in our Discord and IRC chat channels

Jonesy

English Dave

WritingFool

Jonesy

English Dave

WritingFool

English Dave

Jonesy

English Dave

dpaterso

Also in our Discord and IRC chat channels