Questions tagged [screenwriting]
Screenplay storytelling, writing, formatting, and how to put it all together.
3
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1answer
60 views
If I have an idea for an animated series how do I write it out?
So basically I’ve come up with a story that I believe could be an interesting animated series, but I’m not in the stages where I’m ready to try and pitch it or anything. How should I approach writing ...
2
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2answers
118 views
Why is the standard screenplay format just plain ASCII? Why don't use LaTeX or Word?
I'm just curious. I don't know anything about screenwriting and I see scripts online have only one format and they are all plain text. Why don't they use LaTeX or Word? It will look nicer and the ...
3
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1answer
72 views
About sound effects
I'm writing a script that shows a speaker interacting with their audience. The speaker finishes speaking and the audience reacts. I wrote it like this.
Loud CHEERS from the audience.
I'm wondering ...
11
votes
1answer
904 views
How to name indistinguishable henchmen in a screenplay?
A large group of indistinguishable henchman feature throughout my screenplay. What is an acceptable naming method for them?
Let's say I wanna call them 'Red shirts'. Can I ...
A) Call them all RED ...
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vote
2answers
99 views
How to format quick flashes in a screenplay?
Question : In my screenplay, the main character occasional suffers quick flashes, like visions. I have been unable to assert if I am formatting these correctly. Please also note the single and double ...
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3answers
4k views
Is Social Media Science Fiction?
I am writing a science fiction story (actually a screenplay for a film, but I imagine that for the purposes of this question the same rules apply) and I have been told that it isn't really science ...
2
votes
1answer
56 views
How many blank lines before scene headings (and secondary scene headings) using Amazon Storywriter
Question : How many blank lines should be before scene headings and secondary scene headings in a screenplay? Note that I am using Amazon Storywriter.
Detail : I am writing a screenplay with Amazon ...
5
votes
1answer
74 views
How to format a screenplay scene where the action alternates between 2 or more spots in an open space?
Question : In a screenplay, how should I format a scene in which the action and dialogue alternates between 2 or more spots in an open space?
Example: I have a scene where the action and dialogue (...
0
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1answer
44 views
Writing an interview in a screenplay
I'm writing an interview in a screenplay where the protagonist is being interviewed a la 60 minutes. The interview shows an interviewer, Sarah Jones, who interviews a politician, Ben Parker. It ...
3
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1answer
83 views
How to script two scenes happening simultaneously?
I am writing a movie where a character has an interview with a news reporter. The scenes segues into a character profile of the interviewee that features a voice over from the interviewer. How would I ...
6
votes
3answers
94 views
How to write character's emotional reactions in a screenplay?
Question : When writing my screenplay, I frequently find the urge to describe a character's emotion. However, I have read somewhere (I forget where) that this should be left to the actor to some ...
2
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1answer
54 views
News shot in screenwriting
I'm writing a screenplay that incorporates various news shots. I plan to use various news shots as expositions. My story takes place in the future, and I want various news shots that display the top ...
4
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1answer
101 views
Documenting story in a videogame
How does one write a story for a story-based videogame. Is it done in the form of a screenplay? Is it written as any normal prose? Is it written as documentation that goes with the other early design ...
3
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1answer
40 views
Adapting dialogue from a novel into a screenplay
I would like to adapt a novel I wrote into a screenplay, and I was wondering if there are things to take into consideration before taking the dive. The novel doesn't have a lot of dialogue and I think ...
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8answers
7k views
Why write a book when there's a movie in my head?
Around a decade ago, I had a dream. An actual middle of the night dream. An entire movie played in my head, all I had to do was write it down. I did a fair bit of research on the topic then I spent ...
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vote
2answers
91 views
Formatting for a visual medium: Screenplay or transcripts?
I have a specific way of writing when it comes to describing things in a visual medium, like video games, movies, or shows. I'm not a prose writer; I always wanted to write for visual media, not ...
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4answers
133 views
Screenwriting Techniques: Emotional Projection
NECESSARY INFORMATION
Recently I saw someone on the internet say that Revenge Of The Sith was so powerful because of an effect called "Emotional Projection." This means that when you see the movie, ...
6
votes
2answers
217 views
Does every story really represent a life-story, as McKee advises?
In Robert McKee's book STORY, he says that a whole life story of a character must become a story well-told.
So, it seems that the concept of "story told" is a representation of a "life story" that ...
0
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1answer
48 views
Where to Find Screenwriters? [closed]
I'm currently searching for a new screenplay. So I'm looking for forums/pages where I can find writers.
They can or maybe should be non-professional, because the movie is micro-low budget to low ...
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4answers
2k views
How do you make a scene “tasteful”?
Let's say you have a scene that contains nudity. There are many ways to do it wrong and have it just be a pervy scene, but there are also ways to make it "tasteful" in a way where it's slightly less ...
2
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3answers
140 views
I have no artistic skill, but I want to write for animated shows/movies
See title. I love writing stories, but I usually imagine how they are like in show/movie form, specifically 3d animated ones. I don't feel like I have the skill to write a good book, but I do think I ...
2
votes
2answers
96 views
How do I make a repetitive element in a play interesting?
I am writing a playscript these days which includes various characters that are frequently related throughout the story. They all hold special orbs/keys that help the main protagonist progress further ...
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3answers
97 views
Screenwriting using codenames
I'm currently writing a script where a woman is in a group that only uses codenames when with each other. I was wondering how I should address this in format. Her real name is known to the audience ...
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2answers
98 views
Class/Course Names in Fiction
sorry if this has already been asked. But how are course or class names written in fiction (both prose and screenplay)? For example, if someone has a second-level algebra course on their schedule, ...
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1answer
103 views
Introducing characters in a screenplay
In one of my scenes, I introduce "GUEST" at a party. Later, each guest is introduced by name. So if I capitalized GUESTS, do I have to capitalize their name later?
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votes
1answer
224 views
Can the Final Draft 11 software handle foreign screenplay formats?
I am considering buying Final Draft 11. Of special interest to me is that this version can handle 95 foreign languages, including Japanese. My question is, can FD11 handle foreign (read: non-...
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1answer
76 views
How do I write transitions between thinking and speaking?
I've just downloaded an open-source script-writing program, and have started converting the scripts for an anime I've been writing into industry-standard formatting.
There are a few points in the ...
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4answers
581 views
Respecting classic dramatic structure in a documentary
I'm planning on shooting a documentary on a potentially important shift in a friend's life. In an attempt to educate myself a little bit before shooting the events, I'm reading about the classic ...
5
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1answer
73 views
Example screenplays on the web
Wondering if there are any good "open source" screenplays available on the web, ones that provide a good introduction to screenplays and have lots of "features" of screenplay writing. I would like to ...
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2answers
120 views
How to pitch TV show with a 'hook' when have a complete bible and treatments?
So, I have a TV show I have been writing and will finish soon enough. I have been working on this for a long time, and have written 9 seasons.
The type of show is a sitcom. It is based on my ...
4
votes
3answers
112 views
How to write an online screen name in dialogue?
Might be a bit nitpicky - but I really want to get the formatting correct - especially because this is one of the first lines in the script. The screen name is: ArgyleMan29
Like this?
JACK:
Online I’...
8
votes
2answers
91 views
Transitioning from novel writing to screenwriting?
I've been studying writing for several years, and I feel fairly confident in my ability to write a novel. Before I take the plunge and go for it though, I was curious about a slightly different path: ...
9
votes
3answers
689 views
Should I use a series of shots for this scene?
Should I use a series of shots for this?
(context- Joe previously raged in his room - knocking things over)
INT. JOE’S ROOM
Joe stands up the nightstand. Plugs in the lamp. Takes the alarm clock, ...
3
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2answers
108 views
Dialogue from a distance
How do I indicate dialogue 'from a distance'?
Two characters and riding down a field on a quad bike, one asks a question of the other, who answers.
They're visible but you can't see their lips move.
...
4
votes
1answer
94 views
Do I need a star's permission to write a fiction TV series inspired but not exactly as his life?
I want to write a fiction TV series inspired by a true love story between a star and his fans except that I'm going to represent the fans as an actual female character and make it a romantic series. ...
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3answers
2k views
How are descriptions and character thoughts handled in a screenplay (versus a novel)
I wonder if you write descriptions in a screenplay the same way you write in a novel. For example, I see writers describe the physical effects of the emotion of anger rather than just saying 'angry', ...
3
votes
1answer
79 views
Leaving out names/pronouns to speed up the flow of a script?
Example: Jane digs in the flowerbed for her ring. Moves to the yard.
I’ve seen this a bunch of times, but it still feels sort of wrong when I do it. I just want to know if this is “normal”.
...
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vote
1answer
86 views
In a script - Is it ok to have a general description of a character “YOUNG MAN”, then the actual description?
For example: A YOUNG MAN drifts into a bar. Something absent in his yes. His varsity jaket, dirty and torn. Blood still drips down his face from the accident. This is -- JAMES SMITH, 17, the boy next ...
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4answers
249 views
How to describe a character with changing features?
I’m writing the pilot for a Crime/Mystery/Thriller.
When we first meet the lead detective character - he is depressed about not being able to work. Not at his best, but that is about to change for ...
4
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2answers
89 views
What are the best methods to keep your ideas in order?
Usually my ideas come very suddenly and I don't have paper or pencil by hand so I forget them; also, I do not know how to order these ideas in physics since they are for a novel in process, there are ...
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7answers
1k views
Screenplay vs Novel [duplicate]
Now I know, that this question could be tagged too broad or opinion based, and that it might even be closed down. But I have been struggling over this for quite some time now and I want to get an ...
3
votes
2answers
377 views
Sorkin: “Dialog is music” - In what way(s)?
I recently watched Aaron Sorkin's Masterclass on screenwriting. One frustrating section of it (overall it's quite good, IMHO) is about dialog, and Sorkin says that dialog is important, it can't be ...
3
votes
1answer
74 views
Is there any screenplay which is widely considered by screenwriters to be perfectly written?
Is there one Screenplay that is an example of being perfectly written by the majority of screenwriters that they keep at the ready to refer to while writing their own works? I was hoping to learn of ...
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3answers
67 views
Can I split a long scene up by switching the camera from one arguing couple to a different couple?
If I have a long scene in a cafe with a couple arguing (comedy) can I split the scene up by changing the camera angle to a couple in another corner? It is technically the same scene, but it could be ...
3
votes
1answer
187 views
Are there any differences between writing a movie script and writing a tv series script?
Aside from the obvious difference of a movie script been one complete story and a tv series been a continuing story across several episodes. Is anyone aware of anything you would do differently before ...
4
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1answer
89 views
Is it okay to use “Off This—“ in a spec script?
I feel like it’s a great tool for transitioning scenes.
Off the Sargent’s grimacing face—
Off the dead cheerleader’s tramp stamp—
But is this considered camera direction?
Is this too specific for ...
3
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3answers
542 views
How to write dates shown on screen
I’m wanting to know how to enter dates that will be shown in text on the screen in a screenplay, I’ve see. Several ways to do it so I wanted clarification, thx for any help
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1answer
202 views
Recommendations for short film script [closed]
I would like to take a part in screenplay competition.
The main goal is a script for a short film (8 - 10 minutes).
I have several questions about it:
How long should the script be?
How many ...
3
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1answer
1k views
How to show a flashback in a screenplay?
I’ve searched the questions and couldn’t find this. I don’t quite understand how to notate/show a flashback in a screenplay. Not just the format, but also the actual text and tense.
I don’t know if ...
2
votes
1answer
110 views
What’s the longest a screenplay can be at the midpoint?
65 pages? 70 pages??? I’ve got almost 80 and need to know how much I have to cut
