Makes sense.
Script layout question Page 2
As far as I am aware the traditional indicator for a change of TIME is a DISOLVE TO, but that is for the PRODUCTION SCRIPT, not the SUBMISSION SCRIPT. In any case the actual choice of transition would be made by the post-production video editor, in agreement with the director; nowt to do with the actual writer.
The SLUG LINES (i.e the scene indicator) oftem contains actual TIMEs to indicate the jump forward in time.
So you don't even need the CUT TO in the submission script.
As long as it's clear try not to worry. Describe it in action or as a cut to. Whatever you prefer. I prefer 'cut to' because it makes the script seem longer 
Mmmmm.... As Bill has said unless it is a production script, don't put anything.
A spec script is there to tell the story, not to tell the director, editor, lighting, sound, costume etc how to do their jobs.
If your script ever goes to production these things will be discussed in lengthy meetings, which you, as the writer, will most likely not be invited to and if you are, ignored...
Just concentrate on creating believable characters, good dialogue and interesting stories. Let the others worry about the minutia.
kjs
Quote: billwill @ May 22 2008, 10:10 AM BSTAs far as I am aware the traditional indicator for a change of TIME is a DISOLVE TO, but that is for the PRODUCTION SCRIPT, not the SUBMISSION SCRIPT. In any case the actual choice of transition would be made by the post-production video editor, in agreement with the director; nowt to do with the actual writer.
The SLUG LINES (i.e the scene indicator) oftem contains actual TIMEs to indicate the jump forward in time.
So you don't even need the CUT TO in the submission script.
The actual writers when submitting scripts to the BBC always put a CUT TO: at the end of each scene. So as this scheme is for the BBC it might as well look like a BBC submission.
And the scene heading does have a time in it as well.
I think you are thinking more in terms of film scripts Bill.
Sunny day here.
That is if it is for the BBC compo thing?
No, but it still makes sense.
Everyone's going to have their own opinion as to multiple locations.
Personally (and I have never had any complaints from producers with this) I write a scene involving multiple locations as a single scene if that's what the sequence "feels like" dramatically.
My solution would be to title a scene thus 'INT. FLAT/GARDEN. DAY'
If it feels to you as the writer as a single scene then chances are your reader will agree. It's an etiquette issue, of course, but it is also a way to tighten your page count.
What you are talking about is fine if it's time continuous.
see, in my example its time consecutive but not continuous - there is a gap of unseen time where the subject gets from the house to the garden.
on the subject of continuous - where you have a scene between A & B and then cut to a scene between C & D elsewhere that's happening at the same time do you label that "same time" or "continuous" - or doesnt matter as long as you get the idea across?
Yes, that gap of unseen time makes it a new scene.
I put 12.31 CONT in the scene heading if it is exactly time continuous. Someone coming from inside to outside for example.
For your second question, though, if A and B scene is 12.31
for the C and D scene I would put 12.32.
my advise to you would be to get on google and get searching for scripts of actual sitcoms. they're as professioanl and correct as it's gonna get.
Quote: M Lewis @ May 20 2008, 11:08 AM BSTactually - one last question.
is there any difference in the transition description or lay out when you cut between two linked scenes as opposed to non-linked? For example:
scene of mark discovering his tea was eaten by bob and saying "i'll get him" then cutting to mark having a scene with bob 10 secs later over the issue.
as opposed to:
scene of mark discovering his tea was eaten by bob, followed by an unrelated scene of a separate character doing something unrelated somewhere else at a different time?
Yes there is a difference, but it is up to the post-production video editor to do it in cahoots with the director. The writer has probably no say in this matter at all.
Quote: billwill @ May 26 2008, 12:06 AM BSTThe writer has probably no say in this matter at all.
As a writer he was asking what he should write in scripts that he writes. What editors and directors and the like do with the pieces of paper they generate... is entirely up to them.