Couple Questions

The ImagiNation · May 23, 2005

I became interested in writing screenplays about two years ago. Back then it was for fun but I've stepped up my game and decided to become more serious about my writing in an attempt to produce quality work. I just have a few questions.

I've noticed certain screenplays use caps in the descriptions. I understand that they are meant to emphasize certain words but I've seen several screeplays that seem to have random words capitalized. Is there a rule to what words should be capitalized or is it to the discretion of the writer?

Also, I tend to use the same subject alot in my descriptions. Such as...

"Marty walks to the sink. He pours himself a glass of water. He decides to go outside."

I read somewhere that if the same subject is used in previous sentances it can be left out. Such as...

"Marty walks to the sink. Pours himself a glass of water. Then decides to go outside."

Is this correct? It sounds much tighter but I don't know if complete sentances should always be used.

Thanks.

-Jonathan Terry

zagoraz · May 23, 2005

It's ok to use incomplete sentences. As long as it makes sense. As far as using all caps, sluglines are always all caps, as are characters names when you first introduce them. You can use all caps anywhere else you see fit, but I would use it sparingly. If your writing is good, you won't need it too much.

"Marty walks to the sink. Pours himself a glass of water."

Or you could just say "Marty walks to the sink and pours himself a glass of water."

"Then decides to go outside."

Remember that in writing screenplays you shouldn't write what you can't show. You can't physically show Marty making his decision, but you can say Marty furrows his brow, or Marty looks out the window. Or ultimately, just, Marty goes outside.

Mightypen71 · May 23, 2005

In my opinion, I try to stay way away from CAPS because if you get too many then it starts to clutter the pages. I would use them on new characters and only on an object that is very important to the plot and/or scene. I always side with the philosophy of making the script as easy to read as possible.
My two cents worth,
Mightypen

nikdun · May 23, 2005

Caps in screenplays are much discussed in the US and the UK

In the US CAPS are often used to indicate sounds.

eg. The car SCREECHED to a halt. The woman DRONES on.

The idea being that the cap empasises the sound in the readers mind. Does it to you? Really?

I'm not so sure.

However it is certainly acceptable in a US screenplay. In the UK - nope. Just Sluglines and character names.

As for style, I think if you can energise your screenplay by using short sharp sentences - do so. Make it visual.

"...Marty pushes the door. Stumbles to the bar. Parks him self and nods to the barman. Who slams down his vodka on the bartop..."

Is it great grammar, no. Do you get a feel for the scene?

Best wishes,

Nick Dunning
Head of Development
************************
http://www.screenwriting-on-the-net.com/Post
Royal Academy Of Dramatic Art
Hollywood film Institute
New Producers Alliance

Chesher Cat · May 23, 2005

nikdun said:
In the US CAPS are often used to indicate sounds.

eg. The car SCREECHED to a halt. The woman DRONES on.

The idea being that the cap empasises the sound in the readers mind. Does it to you? Really?

I'm not so sure.

Originally SOUNDS were CAPPED so when the sound guys broke down the script for production they would easily see what sounds they had to deal with outside of the dialogue.

It is still done here and lots of writers I know CAP words they want to emphasize. Personally, I find it takes me out of the story if there's more than a couple on a page because I start trying to figure out why they chose one word over another - but I guess at that point the writing must be lacking.

Also, "He decides to go outside." is a no-no. Try your best to make sure you don't write what can't be shot - that means thoughts and feelings. For example, "He thinks about what she said for a moment." or "She is sad." You have to work a little harder to find an action to write that expresses the thought or feeling. The actors will add the feelings too, that's their job.

Good luck with your writing!

The ImagiNation · May 24, 2005

Chesher Cat said:
Originally SOUNDS were CAPPED so when the sound guys broke down the script for production they would easily see what sounds they had to deal with outside of the dialogue.

It is still done here and lots of writers I know CAP words they want to emphasize. Personally, I find it takes me out of the story if there's more than a couple on a page because I start trying to figure out why they chose one word over another - but I guess at that point the writing must be lacking.

Also, "He decides to go outside." is a no-no. Try your best to make sure you don't write what can't be shot - that means thoughts and feelings. For example, "He thinks about what she said for a moment." or "She is sad." You have to work a little harder to find an action to write that expresses the thought or feeling. The actors will add the feelings too, that's their job.

Good luck with your writing!

I've seen and read many screenplays that had certain things like this in them. I can understand not putting such things as, "Marty was a marine in his better days before divorcing his wife." That IS a no-no because there is not possible way to show it. But you can show someone thinking. That's just my opinion, though.

Also, how would you show it?

Chesher Cat · May 24, 2005

The ImagiNation said:
I've seen and read many screenplays that had certain things like this in them. I can understand not putting such things as, "Marty was a marine in his better days before divorcing his wife." That IS a no-no because there is not possible way to show it. But you can show someone thinking. That's just my opinion, though.

Also, how would you show it?

In your original post you had: He decides to go outside. The problem is the deciding part is not active unless you are showing how or better yet why he decides and how he goes outside. Such as: Marty walks to the sink. As he pours himself a glass, he stares out the window. A motion-sensor light suddenly flashes on. Marty drops the glass. It SHATTERS. He grabs his rifle and lunges for the door.

Excuse my less than stellar writing example - just trying to point out that you want to try and base the writing in actions - show, don't tell - and what the character is thinking, feeling and deciding rises out of the actions you write as opposed to telling. Does that make better sense?

NikeeGoddess · May 24, 2005

ok

I've seen and read many screenplays that had certain things like this in them. I can understand not putting such things as, "Marty was a marine in his better days before divorcing his wife." That IS a no-no because there is not possible way to show it. But you can show someone thinking. That's just my opinion, though.

Also, how would you show it?

you can show a picture on the wall or piano or in his wallet (etc) with Marty in his marine uniform with his ex-wife

don't say "he decides to go outside" just say

Marty goes outside.

The ImagiNation · May 24, 2005

Chesher Cat said:
In your original post you had: He decides to go outside. The problem is the deciding part is not active unless you are showing how or better yet why he decides and how he goes outside. Such as: Marty walks to the sink. As he pours himself a glass, he stares out the window. A motion-sensor light suddenly flashes on. Marty drops the glass. It SHATTERS. He grabs his rifle and lunges for the door.

Excuse my less than stellar writing example - just trying to point out that you want to try and base the writing in actions - show, don't tell - and what the character is thinking, feeling and deciding rises out of the actions you write as opposed to telling. Does that make better sense?

Ah, thanks alot.