Hi Guys, quick formatting query. I'm currently redrafting a screenplay animation for a client and I'm not sure how to format a slug line for the following situation. The scene before is in a forest, then the next is a full-screen map that charts the movement of characters across the USA, then we go into another, forest scene. I don't believe this is an INSERT situation as the map never appears physically in the scene. The old current draft has set it out as EXT. FOREST MAP which I don't think looks right either since it's not an exterior. Anyone know the answer? Many thanks :)
Screenwriting : Animation Formatting Query by Jessica Whitehill
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Hi, Jessica Whitehill. I'd probably format it like this:
EXT. FOREST - DAY
Write the scene.
EXT. ACROSS THE U.S. - DAY
FULL-SCREEN MAP charting the animals' movement across the U.S. of A.
EXT. FOREST - DAY
Write the scene.
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Hi Maurice, thanks for this. It's one of those tricky formatting issues that I can't seem to find replicated in any animation screenplay/addressed in any screenplay books. Appreciate your recommendation :)
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You're welcome, Jessica Whitehill. "It's one of those tricky formatting issues that I can't seem to find replicated in any animation screenplay/addressed in any screenplay books." When that happens, I just experiment with things in my scripts until I figure out something that works.
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Thanks Dan, that's what I originally thought too, but the more I looked into it, the INSERT shot seems to really be used for something (e.g. a close up of a letter, object etc) that's happening within a scene. But I still think this is the cleanest option too. Appreciate it.
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Nice one Dan Guardino
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I highly recommend this Stage 32 class written by the TOY STORY writer: https://www.stage32.com/classes/From-Pen-To-Pixels-Writing-Your-Animatio...
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I’d identify it with an insert slugline. Don’t worry about breaking rules, as long as you’re clear and consistent.
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Thanks Mike, appreciate that. Yes, sometimes I get a little too intense about formatting and don't like to break rules but you're 100% correct.