I have always used (beat) to indicate a pause in dialogue
but I often think it is clunky.
It stops the readers flow.
They don't wait a second before continuing reading.
Recently I have been reading some published and filmed screenplays
and each time there was a pause it was indicated by a line of full-stops.
ie ACTOR: Yes, you can go.................. no wait!
I find this far more readable and 'in the moment' but is it frowned upon
Have you read transcripts?
Only add a pause if it is essential to moment. If your writing is good enough, an actor should recognize that a pause is required (I would've thought). Not much is frowned upon in script writing. I'd say less is more. So maybe doing three dots is just... right.
Like all these things they only get ugly if they're overused.
A script full of ............. would soon wear a little thin.
Often better to put a bit of action in to mark the pause.
ACTOR: Yes, you can go.
He thinks for a moment.
ACTOR: No, wait!
Of course, you'd then have to put a "Contd." in.
I use 'Pause' & 'Beat' sparingly - but wherever possible use a bit of action.
ADDENDUM: If that bit of 'dividing' action is really small, then it's legitimate to put it in parenthesis
ACTOR: Yes, you can go.
(slaps forehead)
No, wait!
This gets rid of the need for a Contd. and stops you having short, silly looking action lines ( Which you inevitably end up overwriting to stop them looking silly, thus slowing the script down!)
Quote: Lee @ October 15 2012, 4:59 PM BSTIf your writing is good enough, an actor should recognize that a pause is required
SOME actors perhaps...
Quote: Stephen Goodlad @ October 15 2012, 4:49 PM BSTI have always used (beat) to indicate a pause in dialogue
but I often think it is clunky.
It stops the readers flow.
They don't wait a second before continuing reading.
I agree entirely. I used to use ... for a short pause but I've found actors tend to over-egg it. One actor used the three dots for a 5 second pause in the middle of a sentence. Truth be told it was probably closer to 6 or 7 seconds. I kid you not. I thought he'd died or something. Now I'm starting to just write 'A SHORT PAUSE' or whatever.
Quote: Lee Henman @ October 15 2012, 6:45 PM BST
SOME actors perhaps...
Really? Is this working with lots of "script readers" or (the cast of Hollyoaks). I would've thought when reading a line it would be obvious how to express it. I suppose I can't appreciate how hard it is until I've done it for myself.
Three dots is fine and accepted and makes sense. Don't try to over direct anything in the script is best. BEATS etc sparingly and try as Lazzard suggests doing it with normal punctuation and cut to the bone stage directions. Or direct your own films. Sitcoms etc.
Quote: Lee @ October 15 2012, 6:50 PM BSTReally? Is this working with lots of "script readers" or (the cast of Hollyoaks). I would've thought when reading a line it would be obvious how to express it. I suppose I can't appreciate how hard it is until I've done it for myself.
In my (limited) experience it's best to write exactly what you want to hear come out of the actor's mouth. So if you want a dramatic pause or whatever, write it in. Of course the best outcome is the actor completely ignores all your meticulous directions and does something else with the script that you'd never thought of and makes it much better, hence making you look extra-talented 
Quote: Lee Henman @ October 15 2012, 7:02 PM BSTIn my (limited) experience it's best to write exactly what you want to hear come out of the actor's mouth. So if you want a dramatic pause or whatever, write it in. Of course the best outcome is the actor completely ignores all your meticulous directions and does something else with the script that you'd never thought of and makes it much better, hence making you look extra-talented
Makes me think the best things are made with a bunch of mates, like The Office, Fawlty Towers, Spaced where they don't mind telling each other what's what.
Excellent points.
Thank you.
I still write 'Paws' as such I have learnt nothing from this post!
The rule was always six dots. The actor recognises them as a pause
Six dots always has me in stitches then again I am an avid fan of Morse Code Mirth.
I was at a Morse Code gig one time we're a chap went for the seventh dot, but he bombed. We later found out that it was in fact a member of the Gestapo pretending to be the comedian in order to lure other Morse Code mirth makers into a trap.
### I was at a Morse Code gig one time we're a chap went for the seventh dot, but he bombed. We later found out that it was in fact a member of the Gestapo pretending to be the comedian in order to lure other Morse Code mirth makers into a trap. ####
I used to do Morse Code many decades ago when one had to send telegrams for urgent communications.
I still use one! I stole it from Bletchely Park and use it to keep in touch with my two aged cousins Manfred and Kurt, they're still hiding in a Bavarian Barn because I haven't told them the war's over.
I've been cashing their benefits at a sub post office on Berlins Hardenbergplatz, does that make me a bad person?
I read that if Kelsey Grammer saw an exclamation mark in a script, then he made a point in the table read of standing up and shouting the line out. Actors don't like being told how to say things. Dots over beats all the way.