Comments on: How to Write a Readable Script

By: Scriptwrecked

Scriptwrecked — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 08:04:34 +0000

Steve, I’ll take a crack at answering your question. You’re obviously familiar with the “Talking Head” approach that The Office uses. That tells me you’re probably qualified to make the right call. It all boils down to clarity. Are the characters in your movie all being interviewed in the same room (at different times), and under the same conditions? If so, you may be able to establish a shorthand slugline, or utilize a one-time reader’s note. What’s important is that the reader is able to form a clear image of the interview room. Hope that helps!

By: Scriptwrecked

Scriptwrecked — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 07:52:57 +0000

Hey Steven, nice article. Though I think you must have meant one *paragraph* per shot (not one *sentence*) right? Sometimes that may mean one sentence. Sometimes not. The key thing is to begin a new paragraph whenever the shot, or focus, changes.

By: Steve

Steve — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:41:38 +0000

Thanks for the great insights, Steven! Just wondering, if one is writing in a mockumentary/documentary form and wishes to have quick cutting between the ‘talking heads’ interview subjects, such as in the first Act of District 9, should proper formatting involve simply listing the character name, as opposed to INT. INTERVIEW ROOM. DAY, whenever you want to distinguish interview scenes from the standard narrative scenes? Or should a sequence of interview-grabs begin with only an introduction that informs the script reader that different characters will be speaking in different interview locations, but that these do not warrant an introduction for each? Hope this makes sense – any feedback would be much appreciated! Cheers again.

By: alejandro gonzalez

alejandro gonzalez — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:23:14 +0000

A clear headed account of some dos and don’ts; looking forward to your next installment