Transitions

[avid-dreamer]

Hi people! I am on an action scene that switches from one character to another. I would like to know what is the best transition to use these days. I've been doing some reading and learned that some transitions are frowned upon. Here is something I copied:

We must begin with this remark: Nowadays, in Spec Scripts, transitions are frowned upon, a waste of a couple of lines you could better use for brilliant dialogue, and are only used when absolutely necessary.

Transitions you may be familiar with are:

CUT TO:
DISSOLVE TO:
SMASH CUT: (http://www.screenwriting.info/glossary.php#smash-cut)
QUICK CUT:
FADE TO:
FADE OUT (never at the end of the script)
So, if I'm writing this scene how do I switch from one character to another?

Thanks for the help!

[icerose]

I write spec scripts so I only use Fade In (at the very beginning) and Fade Out (at the very end) that's it.

I leave the rest up to the director and figure my scene headings are enough to tell them that there has been a transition in scenes.

[avid-dreamer]

hmm..ok. So, in this scene I should just do something like this:

(just an example)

EXT. Pond - DAY

Kermit leaps from one lilly pad to another with Miss Piggy hot on his tail.

EXT. MARSHES - DAY

Fozzy staggers through the vegetation as he hurries to Kermit's aid.

EXT. POND - DAY

Kermit dives beneath the water and swims to the safety.

[krano]

basically, yes, but you could even trim the third heading to just POND. Or even use a character as a heading:

"EXT. MARSHES - DAY

Fozzy staggers through the vegetation toward the pond as

KERMIT

dives beneath the water and swims to the safety."

i think it's a matter of preference and wherever a writer wants to add emphasis. "directing the eye" or whatever the precise phrase is.

[icerose]

I agree with Krano on that one. What you're showing is really one shooting location.

Like if you stay in a house, you can do mini slugs.

INT. KRANK RESIDENT - DAY

Fred lounges on the couch.

FRED
Agnes, what's taken so long?
Gimmie a beer!
KITCHEN

Agnes slaves over a hot stove. Her greasy hair is tied back in a haphazard bun that fails to contain some fall away strands.

Her eyes widen, as she turns from the pan, a fresh shiner marks her swollen features.

[NikeeGoddess]

avid - you've read from one source (unknown to us) about transitions. for some reason you didn't trust that source. so why continue to use it?

the best formatting source is david trottier's the screenwriter's bible. he answer all your basic questions with very specific examples. he also has his own website and software.

another very good resource is to find a script with a scene like you want to write and see how the pros have done it. it probably won't be a "spec" script but there usually isn't a significant difference in formatting unless the script is from a writer/director like tarantino or spike lee or etc... these writers can break the rules because they will also be directing. be aware of the writer for the script you read and study. -- yeah, this is the hard way and most people want instant gratification but the hard way gives you the most benefit in the long run.

[avid-dreamer]

Thanks for all the help guys. I'm going to order this Screenwriter's Bible on amazon right now!:)