I did a search but only found one thread that didn't really answer my question, so I'm gonna go ahead and ask.
Should sounds be capitalised in a screenplay? Some people seem to say they shouldn't and others say they should.
What's the purpose of capitalising?
And if you do hit caps lock, for what sounds should you do it?

I hope that makes sense :)

It was once done. It no longer needs to be done.

Some writers feel they need to emphasize certain sounds.
As a reader I find it distracting and just a little insulting. As
if I (the reader) can't imagine that "boom" is a loud noise
but "BOOM" is.

If you feel placing sounds in uppercase makes your story
stronger, or makes your point better, or makes your
screenplay look more professional, then do it. There isn't
any rule - only personal preference. I prefer not to do it and
as a reader I prefer not to read it that way.

Cool beans. So it's basically like a lot of other things and it's purely personal preference? I can dig that :)

SOUNDS should always be in capital letters because they are the most important part of any film.

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Hmm... why do I think you're just a tiny bit biased Alcove? :p

If I want it to have impact I'll capitalize. If it's just a minor description I won't.

Hmm... why do I think you're just a tiny bit biased Alcove? :p


Gee, do you really think so?

I read somewhere that you should capitalize everything but the sounds, since they don't really matter anyway...

I capitalize them just because when I was first learning to format a script that's how I was taught to do it.

Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't, but the key is consistency. It's good to decide before getting in too far. I've read some scripts where it got out of hand and started to look odd on the page. Less is more!

I've seen it done two ways:

ONE:

Running through the woods, SOUNDS of footsteps through dry grass and splashes through wet marshes echo through the air.

TWO:

Sound Fx: footsteps through dry grass and splashes through wet marches echoin the air.

I actually do;

John runs through the marsh.
WATER SPLASHING
He turns to look behind him.

Though a sound effect so implied by the action like that I probably wouldn't bother to put in unless it needed to be for some reason.

I read somewhere that you should capitalize everything but the sounds, since they don't really matter anyway...

IV1zul2aCM8

Lol, thanks for all the replies every one. I guess as long as whatever I do, I do it in moderation and the whole way through I should be right. Yay :D

I've seen it done two ways:

ONE:

Running through the woods, SOUNDS of footsteps through dry grass and splashes through wet marshes echo through the air.

TWO:

Sound Fx: footsteps through dry grass and splashes through wet marches echoin the air.
Both of these examples are, in my opinion, a poor way to write
a script. For me, this pulls me from the story and emphasizes
that I am reading a script. Just my opinion, of course, but I
would be distracted reading a script that used either of these
examples.

My advice is always to keep it simple. Do not overwrite and do not
include technical terms. The job of the writer is to tell the story.

Agree w/ Rik.

Excellent advice Rik, I shall absorb it :)

Now I am confused. So, where is the direction for camera angles, lighting issues, constume, props, and sound described? Since all of these elements have an impact on schedule, budget, and crew requirements I'm sure they are described ahead of time somewhere?

Is it in the screenplay?


Both of these examples are, in my opinion, a poor way to write
a script. For me, this pulls me from the story and emphasizes
that I am reading a script. Just my opinion, of course, but I
would be distracted reading a script that used either of these
examples.

My advice is always to keep it simple. Do not overwrite and do not
include technical terms. The job of the writer is to tell the story.

Now I am confused. So, where is the direction for camera angles, lighting issues, constume, props, and sound described? Since all of these elements have an impact on schedule, budget, and crew requirements I'm sure they are described ahead of time somewhere?

Is it in the screenplay?

No, never.

Unless you're doing a personal shooting script.

So, then where are these directions?

No, never.

Unless you're doing a personal shooting script.

In your shot list / personal shooting script. Also you can do storyboards etc.

What we're getting into is the difference between a script I write for myself to direct, and one written for somebody else (as was noted above). If at the moment I am writing it (a script for my own use) I have something I want to make sure and remember (like a shot, a transition, a costume, etc...) I may put it in the script. but if I am writing a script to try and sell, or for someone else to produce, it's pretty much dialogue and action only. Those thigs (costumes, detailed blocking, what emotions the character expresses, etc...) Are for the director to decide, not me as the screenwriter. As was said, that stuff goes in the shooting script, shot list, etc...

Yeah, I'm talking about spec scripts, which I write exclusively.

My director does his own shooting script afterwards, which includes the shots/direction notes etc.