indietalk said:CUT TO can work if this is a production script, however, if this is a spec script, you should describe it without direction; CUT TO, DISSOLVE, ANGLE ON, etc. The only exception is FADE IN which is placed two lines above your first scene heading, and FADE OUT, two lines below the last line of visual exposition.
indietalk said:There are some things you can use that are not considered camera directions, like INSERT, DREAM, DAYREAM, and when they are over, you put BACK TO SCENE.
If you can't describe it in the action, you may try INSERT.
Beeblebrox said:An INSERT is as much a "direction" as CUT TO or ANGLE ON.
indietalk said:Pro Hint: DO NOT THINK IN TERMS OF THE CAMERA, instead just describe what is being depicted on the screen. e.g. INSTEAD OF: PAN up three stories and FIND a soldier climbing the side of the building. WRITE: Three stories up, a soldier scales the side of the building. Also try and avoid using the "Goldman WE", as in WE SEE, WE MOVE, WE PAN, etc. (made famous by William Goldman). [/i]
Beeblebrox said:I'm a professional screenwriter/director. I work with other writers, agents, producers every day. And no one I know has any hangups about these dumbass "rules." And no, there aren't seperate standards for pros and amateurs. What they care about is a great story. Good writing counts as well, of course, but using PANS and MOVES is not considered bad writing unless they are confusing or overdone. But that's true of anything in your script.
In fact, anyone giving you advice NOT to write like William Goldman, one of the most respected and well known writers in the business, should have his head examined.
CUT TO:Lenny said:indie,
Do you have any suggestions? This is a spec.
I've read it in several How to screenwriting books. Warranted or not, I don't think "internet amateurs" are just making it up out of thin air. I also think they say that just so beginners won't make the mistake of putting directions and camera angles all over the place. I doubt if someone really likes a script that they would throw it out because they ran across a CUT TO on page 87.Beeblebrox said:And the ONLY time I've ever even seen this addressed at all is from amateurs on internet message boards.
Lenny said:I've read it in several How to screenwriting books. Warranted or not, I don't think "internet amateurs" are just making it up out of thin air. I also think they say that just so beginners won’t put directions and camera angles all over the place.