I've read dozens of screenplay, but recently started taking notes on mechanics that may not always be clear to me ie. using CUT TO, undelring, how often to use CAPS. Following are my notes on some screenplays I read and how they handle certain mechanics. I tried to avoid shooting drafts and "older" scropts. All of these can be found on drews-script-o-rama.
If you find this list useful, let me know and I'll try to keep the thread updated.
AMERICAN PIE White revision
BATMAN BEGINS Finished draft?
o Slugline is separated from larger to smaller by a comma.
o Ex. INT. DISUSED KITCHEN GARDEN, WAYNE MANOR – DAY
o Occasionally uses "we" but not "we see" or "we hear"
o Uses "CONTINUOUS" a lot
o Uses "INSERT CUT" when Bruce is having a flashback at the Opera House
o Uses caps a lot
o Double spaced between action-slug-action
o Uses CUT TO sparingly
1492 - revised,c1993
o Uses CUT TO
o Good dialogue, like how scenes wrapped up, ‘button’
o Uses “we see” “we hear”
o CAPPED every times a persons name mentioned. Ugh!
16 BLOCKS - c2004
ABSOLUTE POWER
o Outside in slugs ex. INT. LUTHOR’S HOUSE – DINING ROOM
o Sentence fragments for action
o Lots of em dashes
o Underlining for emphasis
AS GOOD AS IT GETS
If you find this list useful, let me know and I'll try to keep the thread updated.
AMERICAN PIE White revision
- Slugline goes from larger to small
- ex. EXT EAST GREAT FALLS - MAIN HALLWAY -- MORNING
- Uses "we see" and "we hear"
- Mixes “CONTINUOUS” “CONTINUOUSLY” and “SAME TIME”
- Double spaced between action-slug-action
- Uses CUT TO once
BATMAN BEGINS Finished draft?
o Slugline is separated from larger to smaller by a comma.
o Ex. INT. DISUSED KITCHEN GARDEN, WAYNE MANOR – DAY
o Occasionally uses "we" but not "we see" or "we hear"
o Uses "CONTINUOUS" a lot
o Uses "INSERT CUT" when Bruce is having a flashback at the Opera House
o Uses caps a lot
o Double spaced between action-slug-action
o Uses CUT TO sparingly
1492 - revised,c1993
o Uses CUT TO
o Good dialogue, like how scenes wrapped up, ‘button’
o Uses “we see” “we hear”
o CAPPED every times a persons name mentioned. Ugh!
16 BLOCKS - c2004
- Uses lots of italics
- Sentence fragments for action
- CAPS SOUNDS
- Key actions CAPPED
- Minor characters CAPPED on intro.
- No CUT TO
ABSOLUTE POWER
o Outside in slugs ex. INT. LUTHOR’S HOUSE – DINING ROOM
o Sentence fragments for action
o Lots of em dashes
o Underlining for emphasis
AS GOOD AS IT GETS
- No CUT TO
- Slugs work outside in ex. INT. CAROLS APARTMENT - KITCHEN - NIGHT
- Doesn't use CONT'D
- Brief descriptions of inner conflicts
