Comments on: 7 Common Script Formatting Mistakes to Avoid https://smartg.com/screenwriter/7-common-script-formatting-mistakes-to-avoid/ (818) 907-6511 • smartgirls@smartg.com Tue, 24 Oct 2023 03:07:37 +0000 hourly 1 By: Travis https://smartg.com/screenwriter/7-common-script-formatting-mistakes-to-avoid/#comment-5339 Thu, 31 Oct 2019 16:52:27 +0000 http://smartg.com/screenwriters/?p=415#comment-5339 FADE IN is outdated and takes up unnecessary space.

CAPPING sound effects in a spec script is also unnecessary, and actually makes the reader pause there rather than letting them flow through the page.

]]> By: Bob Canning https://smartg.com/screenwriter/7-common-script-formatting-mistakes-to-avoid/#comment-5338 Thu, 31 Oct 2019 16:03:09 +0000 http://smartg.com/screenwriters/?p=415#comment-5338 Regarding SOUND EFFECTS in CAPS, that old adage “In Hollywood, nobody knows nothin'”. I used to do this religiously — until a script analyst covering one of my scripts told me it was not done that much anymore. So, I went to scriptwriting guru John August @ https://gointothestory.blcklst.com/question-what-about-capitalizing-sounds-in-spect-scripts-c4e589c5fbeb and he verified this. Consequently, I went through EVERY ONE OF MY 12 OR SO SCREENPLAYS AND REMOVED THE CAPS IN THEM — except for a couple used for IMPACT. So I will abide by that.

]]> By: admin https://smartg.com/screenwriter/7-common-script-formatting-mistakes-to-avoid/#comment-5337 Sat, 18 Mar 2017 22:15:27 +0000 http://smartg.com/screenwriters/?p=415#comment-5337 In reply to Roger Dunn.

Of course that’s a director’s call, so I tend not to…. However, if you want to simply break up the description a bit, you could…. I sometimes will break a rule to serve another purpose…

Either way, if it’s mostly description in the beginning, be sure to write in short paragraphs.

]]> By: Roger Dunn https://smartg.com/screenwriter/7-common-script-formatting-mistakes-to-avoid/#comment-5336 Thu, 09 Mar 2017 01:25:12 +0000 http://smartg.com/screenwriters/?p=415#comment-5336 Say you’ve got a long opening scene/sequence that’s basically establishing the geography of a major location, or theme in terms of music (eg: an orchestra assembling; models preparing for a fashion show; a lonely car in a landscape with just the movie song) ….and no dialogue or even the appearance of the major players …. IS IT OKAY to say: “Opening credits over” ahead of the scene description?

]]> By: ron ron https://smartg.com/screenwriter/7-common-script-formatting-mistakes-to-avoid/#comment-5335 Thu, 25 Feb 2016 00:23:44 +0000 http://smartg.com/screenwriters/?p=415#comment-5335 You Ladies are working hard to change the lives of script writers. And we thank you for it. I met you at the American pitch fest and Creative Screen writer convention

]]> By: Tammy https://smartg.com/screenwriter/7-common-script-formatting-mistakes-to-avoid/#comment-5334 Thu, 12 Nov 2015 19:54:29 +0000 http://smartg.com/screenwriters/?p=415#comment-5334 A new rule recently surfaced. ‘FADE IN:’ is no longer needed or used in spec scripts anymore.

]]>