OK vs Okay, interrupting dialogue, parentheticals, enters/exits

scriptwriter91 · Mar 27, 2007

I use okay some In my script. One is it not cool to over-use okay? What is over-use of okay to ya'll, by the way? And two should I spell it Okay or OK? Not sure on either of these so I need help. kinda on my rewrite one of ______ fill in a number so I really need answers to these and probably many more questions.

-sw91

Evan Kuhlman · Mar 27, 2007

Okay is OK

In most scripts I've seen it as OK, but no reason it can't be okay. Of course anything overdone can be obnoxious, but if that's how the character speaks that's how the character speaks. Good luck. - Evan

DeaconBlu · Mar 27, 2007

I don't think anyone can fault you if you can point to the dictionary and say, "It's right there."

So for me, it's "OK" instead of "okay".

scriptwriter91 · Mar 27, 2007

Cool, thanks ya'll. One more question: when a charachter is cut off or abruptly quits speaking should it be -- or ...? (ie: Hey, what are you-- or Hey, what are you...) Kinda get what I'm sayin'

-sw91

scripter1 · Mar 27, 2007

Cut off speech

is the dash -

Dialog that is hesitant, or broken for thinking, or changing your mind is elipsis ....

Regarding okay.
What is the context? Is this the way one character talks? A speech pattern?
If yes, then sure it is fine. Just don't totally over do it..... unless another character is going to react to that and suddenly start screaming "if you say ok one more time I will rip your head off and feed it to the canary."

If okay is used in another sense as in perhaps - OKay, now our hero is going to climb this wall here, jump down, grab an AK47 and splatter twenty seven ninjas but one of them will be okay and come back at him but the hero will be okay cuz he's got a special shield. The ninja star bounces off it and hits the sidekick who isn't going to be okay -

THEN it's a big problem.

DeaconBlu · Mar 27, 2007

Can I add a ?

Is it...

Code:

MIKE
How many times have I-

JIM
(Interrupting)
STOP! There's no need.

or

Code:

MIKE
How many times have I-

JIM
STOP! There's no need.

?

dpaterso · Mar 27, 2007

I'd use the latter, without the parenthetical:

MIKE
How many times have I--

JIM
Shut. Up.

As with most things OK is trivial personal preference, I use OK in action and "Okay" in dialogue, but I don't think anyone will ever care.

-Derek

NikeeGoddess · Mar 28, 2007

paranthetical use

MIKE
How many times have I--

JIM
(slapping Mike's face)
Shut. Up.

if you use paranthetical is should be "action" not telling as (interrupting) is.

scripter1 · Mar 28, 2007

The dash, or double dash

all ready indicates the interuption so a paren stating that is redundant.

As Nikee shows a nice action works great.

scriptwriter91 · Mar 28, 2007

I must seem like a complete idiot, but...

Just another question

I kno the -ing rule, but what if it is like this

i will use part of my script as an example:
HOTEL CLERK
(pushes the
register forward
and hands Earl a
pen)
Sign here

should it be that or

HOTEL CLERK
(pushing the
register forward
and handing Earl a
pen)
Sign here

or

The Hotel Clerk pushes the register forward and hands Earl a pen

HOTEL CLERK
Sign here

JUst not sure please help

BottomlessCup · Mar 28, 2007

I'd use the third one.

It's personal preference; I don't like long parentheticals.

Joe Calabrese · Mar 28, 2007

I think you mean the third one which I agree.

I like to use verbs that are active Walk versus passive Walking. As someone pointed out in another post. A script happens in real time as it is read and also it eliminates extra characters (He is walking is twice as long as He walks)

I almost never use parens (maybe not never), but I try to limit them to non-action. If it is actionable, then put it in action.

I say Okay, but use whatever just pick one and keep it consistent.

Also, I use --, not - I agree with everyone summation on the rest.

NikeeGoddess · Mar 28, 2007

probably the best time to use parentheticals is when the character is saying one thing and thinking the other - to show us irony or sarcasm - so the actor know how to say what he's saying.

MIKE
How many times have I--

JIM
(playful)
Shut up.

Joe270 · Mar 28, 2007

I thought the parenthetical action stuff was almost supposed to be fragments. Just a quick shot to fill in needed info as briefly as possible.

HOTEL CLERK
(Providing register and pen)
Sign here

We already know he's providing this to Earl, so names are extoraneous in the parenthetical. I recall reading somewhere to only use these once every few pages because readers tire of them. I dunno for sure, but I read this someplace.

scriptwriter91 · Mar 28, 2007

Thanks Joe, that did the trick, now one more question:

Do you use "walks in/out" or "enters/exits"

Boo_Radley · Mar 28, 2007

Either is acceptable, but personally I think "walks in/walks out" and "enters/exits" are boring. If action reveals character, it makes the character seem like an automaton (IMO, natch').

Which says more about the character: "Jill enters the room" or "Jill struts into the room"? "Jake exits the room", or "Jake stomps out of the room"? "Bob enters the kitchen", or "Bob plods into the kitchen"?

Etc.

NikeeGoddess · Mar 28, 2007

walks in/walks out

if you watch closely... there aren't too many scenes where anybody walks in or out. this is because you should start each scene as far into the scene as possible. this would mean they're already in the room and in the middle of a conversation or whatever is happening.

if someone walks in or out of the room then the act should have some real meaning and purpose... something revealing about the character. otherwise, it's boring.

if Jake is in the room plucking his nosehair in the mirror. Jill should start talking while she's taking a tinkle on the seat. we didn't see her until she started talking b/c we were looking at nosehair. or if Jill does enter the room then she should just appear in the mirror startling Jake.

Joe270 · Mar 28, 2007

It depends. If you can move the character with the entrance, ala Kramer, do so.

If it is just another person joining the scene, I'd go with the 'enter' thing. It's old, tried and true from the old 'enter stage left' play direction. It's probably just as invisible as 'said'.

dpaterso · Mar 29, 2007

In the Hotel Clerk/register drama, I don't think action is even necessary -- what else would be he asking Earl to sign?

HOTEL CLERK
Sign here.

EARL
Sure is a nice place you got.

...during this, I'm gonna assume the Clerk points to the register and Earl signs it. Trivial action hardly worth detailing.

I regard parentheticals as dialogue or emotion modifiers that help us hear how the character is spitting out the words, or to clarify who the character is speaking to, not somewhere to insert action. (I've seen articles that warn against doing this too often since actors don't like being told how to interpret their role, or somesuch reasoning.) But if action is called for because it happens simultaneously with dialogue, at least make it short, e.g.

FRED
Looks like my idea didn't work!

JIM
(punching him)
Ya think?

I've no problem with "Francis exits" or "Dorothy enters" or whatever -- it's basic people movement, just say it. Modify with action by all means, "Jerry marches out, slams the door." "Sam kicks the door open." etc.

-Derek

Joe Calabrese · Mar 29, 2007

Enters/exits?

What everyone else says.

scripter1 · Mar 29, 2007

Making an entrance

I'm siding with Nikee.
Start a scene late, leave it early.

IF a character needs to enter or exit a scene then make sure that action makes a strong statement.

Evan Kuhlman · Mar 30, 2007

double dash

If a character is interrupted use double dash

HARRY

I always thought that--

MEG

Shut up!

If pausing or trailing off use three dots.

HARRY

I always thought that...

MEG

Wake up!

Hillgate · Mar 30, 2007

If you can write a whole script without 'wrylies' (parentheticals) then it reads better. Also, some people (ie actors) don't need to be told how they are meant to feel or what they're doing. It should flow from the narrative or their dialogue. It's difficult to get used to, but it looks much cleaner.

razormoney · Mar 30, 2007

My two cents

Dpat is right -- the double dash implies an interruption.

I'd like to add that there is nothing wrong with adding a ? after the dashes. Personally, I think it adds clarity. Plus, if Shane Black does it (read "Kiss, Kiss, Bang, Bang" if you get a chance), it must be OK. Although none of us are him (we wouldn't be on this forum if we were), I submit that it is usually not a bad idea to imitate success.

dpaterso said:
I'd use the latter, without the parenthetical:

MIKE
How many times have I--

JIM
Shut. Up.

As with most things OK is trivial personal preference, I use OK in action and "Okay" in dialogue, but I don't think anyone will ever care.

-Derek

Razor

C.bronco · Mar 30, 2007

my college advisor told me it was "okay" and not "OK."

OK vs Okay, interrupting dialogue, parentheticals, enters/exits

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