Formatting Question
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Formatting Question
I hope I'm posting in the correct forum. I'm brand new to screenwriting and have a formatting question. My opening scene is a series of sketches which are narrated; using V.O. Currently I'm using a header which looks like:
SKETCH - COMETS JOURNEY - SPACE
The rings of saturn strectch accross the heavens as the COMET breaks past us, screaming as it travels through deep space.
(V.O.)
Earth's last few moments, determined by a rock, having no
intentions, no mission...but one. Destroy Earth.
I realize it's usually (int or ext) followed by (location) followed by (day/night). Thus I don't believe I'm even writing it incorrectly and I can't seem to find any tutorials which explain how this would be done. My goal is to have a storybook type of beginning. Disney's Beauty and the Beast would be close to what I'm trying to achieve.
I'm hoping someone might help me.
Auggybendoggy
SKETCH - COMETS JOURNEY - SPACE
The rings of saturn strectch accross the heavens as the COMET breaks past us, screaming as it travels through deep space.
(V.O.)
Earth's last few moments, determined by a rock, having no
intentions, no mission...but one. Destroy Earth.
I realize it's usually (int or ext) followed by (location) followed by (day/night). Thus I don't believe I'm even writing it incorrectly and I can't seem to find any tutorials which explain how this would be done. My goal is to have a storybook type of beginning. Disney's Beauty and the Beast would be close to what I'm trying to achieve.
I'm hoping someone might help me.
Auggybendoggy
- Chris Huntley
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Re: Formatting Question
My initial thought is that using "SKETCH" in the scene heading does not mean anything in particular. Is it important to the story that it is shown as a sketch? If it isn't, it is best NOT to describe it - - leave it up to the filmmakers to figure out how they want to realize your imagery.
The most important thing is clarity. If you want to do a fairy tale book, you need to describe it as a book before you describe its contents:
INT. STORYBOOK ROOM
The book, "XXX" sits atop a table. The book opens by itself and we see drawings on the pages.
PAGE ONE
The rings of Saturn stretch across the heavens as a COMET speeds toward us .
NARRATOR (V.O)
Earth's last few moments, determined by a rock, having no
intentions, no mission...but one. Destroy Earth.
----
It's not nearly as exciting as playing it like it is real time:
EXT. SPACE
The rings of Saturn stretch across the heavens as a COMET breaks past us, screaming as it travels through deep space.
-----
If it is a fairy tale feel, then make sure you describe the feel and less the particular method of creating the illustrations.
The most important thing is clarity. If you want to do a fairy tale book, you need to describe it as a book before you describe its contents:
INT. STORYBOOK ROOM
The book, "XXX" sits atop a table. The book opens by itself and we see drawings on the pages.
PAGE ONE
The rings of Saturn stretch across the heavens as a COMET speeds toward us .
NARRATOR (V.O)
Earth's last few moments, determined by a rock, having no
intentions, no mission...but one. Destroy Earth.
----
It's not nearly as exciting as playing it like it is real time:
EXT. SPACE
The rings of Saturn stretch across the heavens as a COMET breaks past us, screaming as it travels through deep space.
-----
If it is a fairy tale feel, then make sure you describe the feel and less the particular method of creating the illustrations.
Re: Formatting Question
I'm having a little problem with this as well.
But thanks Chris for your post. I was able to get idea with your post and fix my problem about formatting as well. =)
But thanks Chris for your post. I was able to get idea with your post and fix my problem about formatting as well. =)
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Re: Formatting Question
Chris, I had forgotten I had posted this question here. Having a plethora of other questions, I ended up back here browsing the forum. I'm adding it to my favorites as not to forget.
Thank you for your reply. It's so helpful to get feedback, which not only answers our questions, but allows us to see the mistakes or ignorance (if those are the proper words) of how we approach writing our scenes. I'm only sorry it took me this long to get back here.
So thank you,
Auggy
Thank you for your reply. It's so helpful to get feedback, which not only answers our questions, but allows us to see the mistakes or ignorance (if those are the proper words) of how we approach writing our scenes. I'm only sorry it took me this long to get back here.
So thank you,
Auggy
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Re: Formatting Question
Chris,
I have another question:
In one scene I have a young boy in school. The teacher is welcoming all the students to the class. Then I cut to the family walking home from school. As they're walking home, you can still hear the teacher (V.O.) addressing the class (he's explaining why they're in school) .
Do I use CUT TO: for this or is that to harsh? I'm referring particularly to going from the class room scene to the family walking home. Or perhaps CUT TO: is just wrong.
Any advice would be appreciated.
I have another question:
In one scene I have a young boy in school. The teacher is welcoming all the students to the class. Then I cut to the family walking home from school. As they're walking home, you can still hear the teacher (V.O.) addressing the class (he's explaining why they're in school) .
Do I use CUT TO: for this or is that to harsh? I'm referring particularly to going from the class room scene to the family walking home. Or perhaps CUT TO: is just wrong.
Any advice would be appreciated.
- Chris Huntley
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Re: Formatting Question
If you change the scene heading, that implies a visual transition. You do not need to say CUT TO:
For example:
I think something like that lets the reader know you've jumped locations (and time), but are carrying over the teacher's earlier instructions. This then leads to the current dialogue between Bobby and Chuck. An alternative is that the teacher's voice just fades out, generally indicated by an ellipse (...).
For example:
Code: Select all
INT. CLASSROOM - DAY
The kids mill around and take their seats as their teacher, MISS MASTERS, walks into the classroom.
MISS MASTERS
Good morning, class. I hope you all
had an exciting summer. For your first
homework assignment...
EXT. STREET - DAY
BOBBY and his friends walk down the center of the street on their way home from school.
MISS MASTERS (V.O)
...I want you each to write a report
about what you did this summer.
Bobby kicks a rock down the road, then turns to his pal CHUCK.
BOBBY
Are you going to write about
what we really did this summer?
I think something like that lets the reader know you've jumped locations (and time), but are carrying over the teacher's earlier instructions. This then leads to the current dialogue between Bobby and Chuck. An alternative is that the teacher's voice just fades out, generally indicated by an ellipse (...).
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Re: Formatting Question
Excellent! Thanks for that Chris.
Re: Formatting Question
Keep in mind, with reagard to location, there really is only two accepted variants; "EXT" (exterior) or "INT" (interior). I've never seen "SKETCH" work for a screenplay. Especially for a Spec Script. Outer Space is an "EXT" location. Inside a Space Craft would be "INT" (and so on).
Check out the "ALIENS 2" script written by James Cameron. He starts with an outer space scene. Also, with the V.O., who is talking? A man, a woman, an alien? Describe the voice. Or if it's a character's voice, use something like JOHN SMITH (V.O.). The "AVATAR" script uses Jake Sully (main character) as the V.O.. Same for "TWILIGHT", the main charcater Bella is narrating. Check it out...
Check out the "ALIENS 2" script written by James Cameron. He starts with an outer space scene. Also, with the V.O., who is talking? A man, a woman, an alien? Describe the voice. Or if it's a character's voice, use something like JOHN SMITH (V.O.). The "AVATAR" script uses Jake Sully (main character) as the V.O.. Same for "TWILIGHT", the main charcater Bella is narrating. Check it out...
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Re: Formatting Question
So Kippy,
How would you write in a fairytale book scene? Or in my case how would you write out a series of child sketches?
Gene
How would you write in a fairytale book scene? Or in my case how would you write out a series of child sketches?
Gene
Re: Formatting Question
I see what you're saying. To be honest, I'm not sure. I don't write animated films. But, check out Internet Movie Script Database (IMSDB). Just do a Goggle search. Once there, you can view several scripts related to your genre. They're all free to download and view. A wealth of information. Start researching your question and you'll stumble upon some good examples.
In my humble opinion, the "Sketch" would be an artistic impression the art / production department would decide on. It might NOT be the writer's call.
Maybe this -
INT - BEDROOM - DAY
A child draws a picture. A Comet barreling through the heavens. Charcol on white canvas. Motionless, lifeless. Until--
The sketch comes to life, as if moving. Magicall, unexpected. It compells us closer. We enter a mysterious and flowing world of canvas and charcol. Then, a man's voice. Deep, ancient. Almost baratone. He speaks, captivating us to listen--
VOICE (VO)
Your dialog...
In my humble opinion, the "Sketch" would be an artistic impression the art / production department would decide on. It might NOT be the writer's call.
Maybe this -
INT - BEDROOM - DAY
A child draws a picture. A Comet barreling through the heavens. Charcol on white canvas. Motionless, lifeless. Until--
The sketch comes to life, as if moving. Magicall, unexpected. It compells us closer. We enter a mysterious and flowing world of canvas and charcol. Then, a man's voice. Deep, ancient. Almost baratone. He speaks, captivating us to listen--
VOICE (VO)
Your dialog...
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Re: Formatting Question
Kip,
I'll give it a go and thanks for the feedback. I'll get back in a few days.
I'll give it a go and thanks for the feedback. I'll get back in a few days.
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Re: Formatting Question
Here's my problem. This small narrative (it's supposed to be small) at the beginning of my script is 3 pages and I confident it's WAY too long. As the narrator tells the story, each dialogue is illustrated by a different sketch. So lets say there's 20 points of dialogue, then there's 20 sketches.
So I'm wondering it there is some other technique, like a montage or some other way to take the 3 pages and reduce to 1. My only other thought is to simplify the dialogue and remove some lines and some sketches.
Aug
So I'm wondering it there is some other technique, like a montage or some other way to take the 3 pages and reduce to 1. My only other thought is to simplify the dialogue and remove some lines and some sketches.
Aug
- Chris Huntley
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Re: Formatting Question
What is your concern here? Is this a spec script? If you want to know how long it would run, read the dialog aloud and record it. That will give you a sense of the real screen time, which is what is really important when you consider page count (one page equals one minute of screen time). Very often animation scripts are done as images and text, or put together as animatics.
If this is a spec script, I suggest checking out sample script formats:
http://www.jeffreyscott.tv/Scripts.htm
Here is one that is heavy on scene description:
http://www.awn.com/mag/issue4.04/4.04pages/williamsonscripta.php3
Here's a Google search for animation script examples:
http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=animation+script+format+example&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8
Cheers,
If this is a spec script, I suggest checking out sample script formats:
http://www.jeffreyscott.tv/Scripts.htm
Here is one that is heavy on scene description:
http://www.awn.com/mag/issue4.04/4.04pages/williamsonscripta.php3
Here's a Google search for animation script examples:
http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=animation+script+format+example&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8
Cheers,
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Re: Formatting Question
Chris, it is a spec. I thought the whole page read was to be approximately 1 min. I assume that's what you mean. If not then perhaps I need to re-read my screewriting books
Also thanks for the links. I've already begun reviewing them.
Aug
Also thanks for the links. I've already begun reviewing them.
Aug
Re: Formatting Question
Chris Huntley wrote:What is your concern here? Is this a spec script? If you want to know how long it would run, read the dialog aloud and record it. That will give you a sense of the real screen time, which is what is really important when you consider page count (one page equals one minute of screen time). Very often animation scripts are done as images and text, or put together as animatics.
If this is a spec script, I suggest checking out sample script formats:
http://www.jeffreyscott.tv/Scripts.htm
If yew are gonna read Jeffrey Scott's work, stay well away from any and all Superfriends scripts. *Face Palm*
The Honorable Thomas A. McKean
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http://www.thomasamckean.com
Partner in Policymaking
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