Apart from Marc P.
Trick locations Page 5
Quote: Marc P @ September 28 2008, 9:32 AM BSTAnd I do know the difference between a screenplay and a novel surprisingly enough.
http://www.new.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=944355&l=91284&id=606468976
To Marc
I never said you didn't...
Ah forget it !!! this is turning into a pointless arguement of YouSaid...No I didn't... type.
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To All:
This dichotomy of opinion of how a presentation script is presented has evidently been around for a long time. I checked two of the books that I have on hand.
"Writing for Television" by Gerald Kelsey (who was Chairman of the Writers Guild of GB at the time he wrote it)
and
(b) "Writing Scripts Hollywood will love" by Katherine Atwell Herbert
One of those books essentially agrees with what Marc P said "Make it exciting for the first Reader" the other book essentially says that a Producer on reading a script is keeping a beady eye on what Sets and Locations are needed as this drastically affects the budgets. Too many locations may get the script rejected. [Hence for such a producer it would not be wise to confuse the Slug Lines for story effect].
I leave it to your own research to find which book said which.
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If any of you have not yet read any books on script-writing and/or TV production, why on earth are you trying to be a script writer???
Maybe we should all agree to disagree. There's no doubt that it's technically "wrong" in script writing to change the name of the same location so as to fool the reader.
But there maybe something in what a lot of people obviously think on this forum, that being in the first instance it's better to hook the reader into the story rather than be strictly professional about script formatting.
I really don't know. I wouldn't do it myself, that's all I'll say.
If any of you have not yet read any books on script-writing and/or TV production, why on earth are you trying to be a script writer???
Bill, you aren't the only person in the world who's ever picked up a book, comments like that really aren't helpful.
Quote: Griff @ September 30 2008, 12:22 AM BSTBill, you aren't the only person in the world who's ever picked up a book, comments like that really aren't helpful.
I find yours a very strange reaction to a simple bit of advice.
Did you miss the word ANY ?
I never read a book on being a supercillious bastard I like to think I'm doing ok without it
I find yours a very strange reaction to a simple bit of advice.
Did you miss the word ANY?
Nope, but I understand subtext when I see it.
Quote: billwill @ September 29 2008, 5:35 PM BSTTo Marc
I never said you didn't...
Ah forget it !!! this is turning into a pointless arguement of YouSaid...No I didn't... type.==============
To All:This dichotomy of opinion of how a presentation script is presented has evidently been around for a long time. I checked two of the books that I have on hand.
and
(b) "Writing Scripts Hollywood will love" by Katherine Atwell Herbert
One of those books essentially agrees with what Marc P said "Make it exciting for the first Reader" the other book essentially says that a Producer on reading a script is keeping a beady eye on what Sets and Locations are needed as this drastically affects the budgets. Too many locations may get the script rejected. [Hence for such a producer it would not be wise to confuse the Slug Lines for story effect].
I leave it to your own research to find which book said which.
================
If any of you have not yet read any books on script-writing and/or TV production, why on earth are you trying to be a script writer???
Bill,
If you are ever in court might I urge you not to conduct your own defence.
To reiterate my points.
Do not change the location in the scene heading.
In stage directions it is the job or a scriptwriter to make the prose as vivid as possible to draw the reader into the world you have created. As in the dialogue, to use an old cliche, less is more, it should be concentrated and written in such a way that doesn't impose the author's presence with technical 'instructions' etc. In other words it's a vital part of the story. A screenwriter is a story teller. Simple as.
Look, Bussell! Look what you have done!
Quote: David Bussell @ September 25 2008, 1:08 PM BSTA question for the format wizards.
I have a scene in my sitcom where I want to trick the reader into thinking the characters are in one place then reveal that they are in fact they are somewhere else entirely. Is there as accepted way to do this without telling porkies in the slugline?
For instance:
INT. PRISON CELL - DAY
...rather gives the game away when I'm trying to trick the reader into thinking the characters are just bunking together.
Any ideas?
I should say
INT. PRISON CELL - DAY
We are close on David and Perry in what appears to be a neutral location
Dialogue, dialogue, dialogue.
Pull back to reveal they are in a cell.
It's not a problem to reveal the trick up front, because it helps people like me to visualise how a sketch or scene will work. If what seems to be one thing turns into another later on, it's confusing, but only mildly, although I would suggest that clarity is best.
Odd how an innocent question can lead to such heat!
Quote: Micheal Jacob @ September 30 2008, 11:35 AM BSTI should say
INT. PRISON CELL - DAY
We are close on David and Perry in what appears to be a neutral location
Dialogue, dialogue, dialogue.
Pull back to reveal they are in a cell.
It's not a problem to reveal the trick up front, because it helps people like me to visualise how a sketch or scene will work. If what seems to be one thing turns into another later on, it's confusing, but only mildly, although I would suggest that clarity is best.
Odd how an innocent question can lead to such heat!
Cheers Micheal. Well I'd say that's nicely cleared up then. Now where's that "told you so" emoticon...
Quote: Micheal Jacob @ September 30 2008, 11:35 AM BSTOdd how an innocent question can lead to such heat!
Not kidding. It's like watching dogs mating. You want to break it up but you're afraid that you'll hurt one or the other in the process. That's why I always keep a bucket of water by the PC.
People, inflexible dogma always ends in tears. And one thing life teaches you is that eventually you will be wrong. Either leave a good backout clause in previous posts or have the good grace to admit there is an alternative when you're in the wrong. The one thing that will always be in demand are people who are not afraid to back down or admit wrong.
Let it be noted by all that even the great Michael talks in personal preference to this question's solution rather than states categorically that A is always the case throughout the industry.
Top man for being seen amongst us bottom-rungers, especially in the middle of a s***-throwing contest ... er, sorry ... vigorous debate. Respect.