How do you find using beats (the bulletpoint type, not the 'pause' ones) helps your writing?
Do you have any idiosyncratic ways of using them?
Using beats
I just find it confusing. When we were filming my sitcom, the director kept going on about beats, and pointing them out to me, although I didn't even realise there were any.
Quote: beaky @ 6th September 2016, 9:36 PMI just find it confusing. When we were filming my sitcom, the director kept going on about beats, and pointing them out to me, although I didn't even realise there were any.
So are you thinking of changing in future projects?
I've no idea what this thread is about.
Beats me!
Beats are just plot points really.
They won't help your writing.
But they can form a frame of reference for discussing the piece with a third party.
As long as you all agree what an actual 'beat' is.
My definition is 'a thing that happens that moves the story on'.
But I may be alone in this.
Quote: Nogget @ 7th September 2016, 9:33 AMSo are you thinking of changing in future projects?
No, just carry on and pretend I know what beats are.
Quote: Nogget @ 6th September 2016, 4:48 PMHow do you find using beats (the bulletpoint type, not the 'pause' ones) helps your writing?
Do you have any idiosyncratic ways of using them?
Do you mean the rhythm or pace? I've never heard of bullet point beats.
For example Not Going Out will have quite a fast paced beat, whereas Young Hyacinth is quite slow. Their situations or jokes go at different rates each.
Unless you mean something else entirely?
I'm still none the wiser.
It's obvious that those in the know just take it for granted and can't understand that we still don't know what Beats are.
I know a beat is a pause but that's about it.
No, no, no, Chappers! There are two different beats. One is a pause, written as "beat" in a script, the others are comedic heart beats. Honestly!
It's terminology hell out there.
I once spent a whole year using the term 'high concept' in a way that meant almost the polar opposite of what it actually means.
And I mean used it in meetings.
*shudders*
Quote: Chappers @ 8th September 2016, 7:41 PMwe still don't know what Beats are.
.
50s poets. Any help?
Quote: Lee @ 8th September 2016, 1:44 PMDo you mean the rhythm or pace?
Lazzard already explained earlier.
It's a shorthand way of describing the action, like a précis:
• Nogget makes post asking about bulletpoint beats
• Various people ask wtf these beats are
• Nogget explains by using the system in the explanation
• Everyone now understands
Although I should say I never use them (which is why I asked the question in the first place), so I might be getting it wrong.
. Nogget gets a round of applause.
(Didn't know how to do the bullet point)