Insert?

[Sabacca50]

Joe touches the computer screen. He scrolls through hundreds of names,
trying to find one that sounds familair.

Question: In todays Spec Script, do I have to use INSERT in this situation. I know that spec scripts arn't supposed to have any director mumbo jumbo, can I just leave it the way it is?

[Optimus]

Do you mean as inserting a name from the computer screen onto the movie screen?

There's nothing wrong with it. But, I think that whenever you feel the need to use a camera angle (like, INSERT) you can almost always use a minislug instead. The exception being if you are placing a location or date on the screen, such as SUPER: Dublin, Ireland 1972. (some people use INSERT interchangeably with SUPER).

So, you might use a minislug for your above example:

Joe touches the computer screen. He scrolls through hundreds of names, trying to find one that sounds familiar. He stops on...

DR. MICHAEL CALAVESE

...and stares at the screen.

JOE
Payback.

[Joe Calabrese]

Are you using me in all your examples?

[Compton]

You should either be flattered, or paranoid.

I know not which.

[Optimus]

Hey man, I was just using the example he gave.

But, at least I made "Joe" look like a butt-kicker by him saying "Payback."

[Sabacca50]

Thanks! Minislugs seem to be the answer for a lot of things.

[Optimus]

Yes. The minislug is your friend.

But, with great power comes great responsibility.

Use the power of the mini wisely.