• Wondering which camera, gear, computer, or software to buy? Ask in our Gear Guide.

Ripped from the headlines!

Sort by date Sort by votes
I like this, I'd certainly like to watch it. I like your writing style.

One thing I noticed, you don't use (CONT'D) when you cut your characters dialogue? Any reason for this? I'm all for writing in whatever format you like, if the screenplay's for yourself, just curious as to whether there's a reason for this, as everything else seems pretty standard in format.

I must say though, I don't get the references to nine at all...
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
First draft, probably don't have the option turned on in Celtx to do the "cont'd" on the laptop I wrote it on. Good catch, I need to fix that.

I needed a rationale for why he does it. I decided it's because he's OCD and obsessed with the number 9. He thinks he has an "extra" one. Also, not clear in the screenplay, but when he's in the hotel doing the deed, the shot will look like he's jerking off. His hands down out of frame.

In development on a feature. I wanted something I could shoot in a weekend. I'm having withdrawl.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
I got that he was taking the number of fingers down to nine, I just didn't know why. I guess something as simple as OCD works fine, but with the build up of it, I was expecting more of a reveal towards the end.

Also, I thought he was jerking off, what with the porno and all!!! I didn't connect that with the missing finger. That's probably just me, I'm sure it would become perfectly clear on screen.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
I liked it Gonzo.

mad_hatter said:
One thing I noticed, you don't use (CONT'D) when you cut your characters dialogue? Any reason for this? I'm all for writing in whatever format you like, if the screenplay's for yourself, just curious as to whether there's a reason for this, as everything else seems pretty standard in format.
Click to expand...
I've never once used (CONT'D) when I break characters dialogue.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Did this clerk work at a Best Western by any chance?

The jersey scene is a thinker. It would take, as you mention in the script, a bit of time to take off the shirt, particularly if she's hefty, which I'm projecting. Wouldn't this scene draw some interest? Does it take place in an alley or is the street just empty?

I always enjoy officers that don't care about scaring their public. One of them pocketing the fifty would make my day.

You only need to use (CONT'D) if there's a page break during a character's lines. Not that you have got to be super worried about format anyway.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Loomis said:
Did this clerk work at a Best Western by any chance?

The jersey scene is a thinker. It would take, as you mention in the script, a bit of time to take off the shirt, particularly if she's hefty, which I'm projecting. Wouldn't this scene draw some interest? Does it take place in an alley or is the street just empty?

I always enjoy officers that don't care about scaring their public. One of them pocketing the fifty would make my day.

You only need to use (CONT'D) if there's a page break during a character's lines. Not that you have got to be super worried about format anyway.
Click to expand...

I didn't even look, assumed that was what he was referring to, but maybe not.

Gonzo production rule #1: If there no reason for a female character to not be hot, then cast a hot chick.
I'm guessing 15 to 20 seconds, probably have some bystanders react but no catch him.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
I wasn’t referring to using (CONT’D) after page breaks. As far as I was aware, you should use (CONTINUED) after a page break, if the same scene continues (which Celtx does automatically). I’ve always used (CONT’D) after a characters name whenever the dialogue is broken up by action.


Both of these sites, that I’ve seen linked on here numerous times, actually show the use of (continuing) as a parenthetical, whenever dialogue is broken by an action:

http://www.oscars.org/awards/nicholl/scriptsample.pdf

http://www.screenwriting.info/

This actually seems a little strange to me!


This link is the first page that comes up when you type “Screenplay Format” into Google:

http://www.scriptologist.com/Magazine/Formatting/formatting.html

This one shows the use of (CONT’D) exactly as I do it.


I’ve just had a quick flick through the ‘Pulp Fiction’ script and Tarantino doesn’t use (CONT’D) at all. He leaves it off exactly as you’ve stated.


As I said above, I’m all for formatting screenplays however you feel most comfortable, and personally, as you’ve all now drawn my attention to not using (CONT’D), I think I may now stop using it, as I’ve never really thought it was necessary. I always just put it in, because I thought that was industry standard!
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Sorry to hijack Gonzo's thread and discuss format...

"Continued" at the top and bottom of each page shouldn't be done
in a spec script. The reason "continued" is used is when the
scenes are numbered.

There are two reasons: in pre production the department heads can
flip through the script, find what they are looking for and
quickly know what scene they are in without flipping back a page
or two. For example: the prop master finds an umbrella mentioned
on page 64. All he has to do is look at the top of the page where
he well see "(22 CONTINUED) 64. He knows the umbrella is used in
scene 22.

The second reason happens during production when the scripty is
marking the script. And it's the same thing - much easier to know
what scene your in when "continued" is used.

But none of this is needed in a spec script.

I've never understood why a writer uses "continued" at the bottom
and top of each page. Is there the possibility that a reader will
think the script has ended if that isn't there and not turn the page?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
I generally only use it if dialogue is broken by a page break, but not if the scene is. I'm not doing Spec scripts, but try to format pretty close just to build good habits.

No sweat Rik. I just wanted to get a couple of opinions on whether it made sense, and was worth spending two days of my life and maybe $500 filming. My feature will be a long process and don't want my most recent work to be too old. Trying to make SOMETHING I can flog on the festival circuit at least once a year to keep my name fresh.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top