Quote: David Bussell @ March 30 2010, 3:44 PM BSTYeah, but I don't see any of your shows on the telly, Stott.
Piss pants you are.
I'm still right though. I think. And so does my good buddy Russell T Davies in that book he wrote about writing Dr Who when asked the very same question! So Neeerrrr!!!!
Quote: Matthew Stott @ March 30 2010, 3:46 PM BSTPiss pants you are.
I'm still right though. I think. And so does my good buddy Russell T Davies in that book he wrote about writing Dr Who when asked the very same question! So Neeerrrr!!!!
Ugh, you can't solve everything with Doctor Who, Matt!
Quote: David Bussell @ March 30 2010, 3:48 PM BSTUgh, you can't solve everything with Doctor Who, Matt!
*Bottom lip trembles* You take that back-!
Quote: Matthew Stott @ March 30 2010, 3:46 PM BSTI'm still right though. I think. And so does my good buddy Russell T Davies in that book he wrote about writing Dr Who when asked the very same question! So Neeerrrr!!!!
Nobody listens to that old hack Davies thesedays, Matthew! It's all Moffat-this-and-Moffat-that, all Tim Dawson and Daniel Peak BBC masterclasses. Get with the programme! You can't handle the truth! Forget it Stott, it's Chinatown... 
Don't put them in, it's death to a writer I've been told.
But you can hint at camera directions with your pacing and writing style. Eg - 'raises an eyebrow' 'looks from the corner of the room' etc etc. To make a 'cut' simply break up a line of action when there is one. For fast cuts, a new line per action. For longer, include one or two (but never more than a few for when starting a new line of action.
I'd still put 'close up on receipt' if it's crucial to the joke, some editors are thickos
Quote: James Turner @ March 31 2010, 9:09 PM BSTDon't put them in, it's death to a writer I've been told.
If you had one camera direction in a script, you're hardly going to be banished from TV. If you can get around not actually using one, then do so, you'll find in most cases you can.
I suppose it's a matter of avoiding it unless you really, really can't think of any other way to get your point across. Knew I was doing something wrong when my script was littered with "CUT TO"
Which is another thing! My instruction back at uni was to start each scene on a new page and end each scene with the transition (CUT/FADE etc.) but I wanted to double check. Do scenes always start on a new page even if it's just a simple stage direction that will only take up a couple of lines?...sometimes it feels odd having an entire page for three sentences.
For TV sitcom format, I do start a fresh page for each scene, but not for stage directions within a scene.
For screenplay format, I never start a fresh page for a new scene.
Never had any complaints.
Cheers.
You're welcome. 
(Cue other writers to tell me I'm completely wrong, deranged, deluded, misguided, a prick etc... but no prod company or my agent has criticised my formatting decisions so far.)
Quote: Tim Walker @ April 1 2010, 12:04 AM BSTFor TV sitcom format, I do start a fresh page for each scene, but not for stage directions within a scene.
For screenplay format, I never start a fresh page for a new scene.
Never had any complaints.
That's correct.
Two blank lines between scenes in 1-camera (film format) scripts.
New page per scene in 3-camera (studio/sitcom format) scripts.
We covered this item not long ago.
Cheers Bill, knew I could count on you. 
Quote: Tim Walker @ April 1 2010, 12:38 AM BSTCheers Bill, knew I could count on you.
A wasted life devoted to Script Formats... That's me.
And electronics and computers and scuba diving and my Lotus car and .....
Sex???
Quote: billwill @ April 1 2010, 12:49 AM BSTSex???
As I say, I'm grateful for your validation, Bill, but I'm going to have to turn you down I'm afraid.