format Some noob formatting questions?

[webshark]

Hi guys,

Some very noob format questions and advice much appreciated, thanks!

1: When introducing a character with a nickname does it usually go like this - FIRSTNAME "NICKNAME" LASTNAME - then continue to use the nickname throughout script?

2: I read that you should capitalize the character name during introduction and obviously over dialog, but I see scripts where the character names are capitalized throughout, which is the standard process?

3: What is the correct way to format dreams into a scrript? What about dreams within dreams..?

4: Concept of time. What is the general concept of time in movies that never display facts such as 1 Month later, 2 weeks later etc.. Is it just current, assumed as day after day? Do we only notate it if the time passed has been significant? A source on info on this would be much appreciated.

5: What is a comprehensive source that explains what gets capitalized in action passages and when and why..

I have ordered Save The cat, The screenwriters bible and Syd Fields screen play foundations.. Im sure these will answer some of these questions and if you have any recommended reading please do share.

Thank you

 

[directorik]

1: When introducing a character with a nickname does it usually go like this - FIRSTNAME "NICKNAME" LASTNAME - then continue to use the nickname throughout script?

That's fine.

2: I read that you should capitalize the character name during introduction and obviously over dialog, but I see scripts where the character names are capitalized throughout, which is the standard process?

The standard is cap the name when the character first appears and not again.
Yes, some people do that differently. It was once standard to cap the character
name throughout. some people still do that.

3: What is the correct way to format dreams into a scrript? What about dreams within dreams..?

There is no standard. The method is up to you. Your goal is to make the
read easy and understandable.

4: Concept of time. What is the general concept of time in movies that never display facts such as 1 Month later, 2 weeks later etc.. Is it just current, assumed as day after day? Do we only notate it if the time passed has been significant? A source on info on this would be much appreciated.

If the viewer of the movie will not see the time pass (as in a title card)
then it doesn't belong in a screenplay. Only write what will be seen on
screen. How one shows a passage of time is the creative choice of the
writer.

5: What is a comprehensive source that explains what gets capitalized in action passages and when and why..

There isn't. Because what is in uppercase is a personal choice. the standards
change. Syd Field (in the 1980's) taught that sounds and "important" props
should be in uppercase. That is not used much today. But it's still the choice
of the writer.

Read some of the scripts posted here for feedback. Read some scripts at
Zoetrope. All unproduced writers just like you. See what style you like and
what you don't. Read scripts from produced writers. See what style you like
and what you don't.

Many people on forums will tell you to strictly follow the rules they follow. Make
a creative choice based on the books and advice and what you read. There will
be many contradictions because there are different styles. But outside of the
technical standards there ARE all creative choices and not rules.

 

[webshark]

That's fine.

The standard is cap the name when the character first appears and not again.
Yes, some people do that differently. It was once standard to cap the character
name throughout. some people still do that.


There is no standard. The method is up to you. Your goal is to make the
read easy and understandable.


If the viewer of the movie will not see the time pass (as in a title card)
then it doesn't belong in a screenplay. Only write what will be seen on
screen. How one shows a passage of time is the creative choice of the
writer.


There isn't. Because what is in uppercase is a personal choice. the standards
change. Syd Field (in the 1980's) taught that sounds and "important" props
should be in uppercase. That is not used much today. But it's still the choice
of the writer.

Read some of the scripts posted here for feedback. Read some scripts at
Zoetrope. All unproduced writers just like you. See what style you like and
what you don't. Read scripts from produced writers. See what style you like
and what you don't.

Many people on forums will tell you to strictly follow the rules they follow. Make
a creative choice based on the books and advice and what you read. There will
be many contradictions because there are different styles. But outside of the
technical standards there ARE all creative choices and not rules.

Thanks for the informative answer! .. Some follow up questions..

1: Some scripts ive read of major films never seem to describe the location, not even city or state. How is this chosen then?

2: Is there a source where the real spec scripts can be found? Is the scripts on IMSDB made by people or are they actual scripts (ps why cant they be downloaded ?)

3: Do you know of any scripts I could view that show a good way to open and close a dream sequence? I cant think of any off hand other than Sopranos which is TV so not sure how it may differ.

Thank you

 

[directorik]

1: Some scripts ive read of major films never seem to describe the location, not even city or state. How is this chosen then?

The location is chosen by the director and producer. There is usually no
need for the writer to describe the location. The obvious exceptions are
if a story MUST take place is a specific city. And even then it is likely to
be shot in a different city so a description isn't usually needed.

If a story must take place in Paris there isn't really a need to describe
the locations - a Paris street isn't that much different than a London street
or a Milan street or any big city.

2: Is there a source where the real spec scripts can be found? Is the scripts on IMSDB made by people or are they actual scripts (ps why cant they be downloaded ?)

Zoetrope and SimplyScripts comes to mind. For a fee TheTrackingBoard
is good. Some of the scripts on IMSdB are actual scripts.

3: Do you know of any scripts I could view that show a good way to open and close a dream sequence? I cant think of any off hand other than Sopranos which is TV so not sure how it may differ.

I don't. The Sopranos example will be a good one. The format of TV and movies
are very, very similar.

 

[webshark]

The location is chosen by the director and producer. There is usually no
need for the writer to describe the location. The obvious exceptions are
if a story MUST take place is a specific city. And even then it is likely to
be shot in a different city so a description isn't usually needed.

If a story must take place in Paris there isn't really a need to describe
the locations - a Paris street isn't that much different than a London street
or a Milan street or any big city.


Zoetrope and SimplyScripts comes to mind. For a fee TheTrackingBoard
is good. Some of the scripts on IMSdB are actual scripts.


I don't. The Sopranos example will be a good one. The format of TV and movies
are very, very similar.

Thank you!