Screenwriting : Capitalizing Sound Effects by Edward Veltre

I use CAPS as a “make sure you notice this”. Perhaps that is the logic. I don’t use it for things like “the phone rings”. If that is what he means.

I like to think of it as a way to point out sound design. Good question Edward Veltre

So, for example, if a script says, "We hear a KNOCK near the back door."

I think you don't HAVE to use CAPS (see what I did there..? ;))... unless it's a production script where you might also capitalize props etc... but like Craig said, you can use them to add dramatic flair... it's pretty much at your own discretion as far as I know..!

Great question! In my experience, Craig and Katarina are right that it's not a requirement. But definitely helpful for sound designers who aren't reading a script as thoroughly and are scanning for those moments. :)

I feel the same goes for if you want to put camera shots into the script, but that should be only for the shooting script, then again it should be the writer's choice if putting in the shots is necessary for the DP.

Yes on CAPS for sounds effects, Edward Veltre, but a big NO on camera shots by the writer. Camera shots are the director's purview. Now, as the writer you can inform camera shots discreetly through your action lines if you feel they add to the scene, but explicitly stating PAN BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN TWO CHARACTERS won't go over well.

Stop worrying about production. Worry about winning readers on the page from first sentence, Champions who will vouch for you, risk their reps because you wrote a thing worth showing to business partners.

Look at this opening page. Lots of professional eyes vouched for script, and I am 100% sure writer knows "trudy" screenwriting formatting.

I would not worry too much about the rules, but here are the official rules for specs and production scripts alike as described in "The Hollywood Standard-2nd edition" - page 67/68/69:

"

1. Type all sounds that originate offscreen in all capital letters. This includes everything from a ticking clock to a woman's scream to a nuclear explotion, no exceptions.

From somewhere O.S. comes the sound of a WOMAN'S SCREAM.

The MOAN of a CAT somewhere in the shadows keeps Marc awake.

2. Type all sound effects that originate onscreen in all capital letters. A sound effect, for purpose of this rule, is any natural, artificial or mechanical sound not produced live in front of a camera by an actor. This includes ticking clocks and nuclear explotions but not a woman's scream, so long as it originates onscreen in the lungs of a living, breathing actor.

The laughing, screaming, shouting, giggling children knock over a VASE, which SHATTERS on the bricks.

3. When capitalizing for sound effects and offscreen sound, always capitalize both the thing making the sound and the sound itself.

The CHERRY BOMB smokes silently for several long seconds, then abruptly EXPLODES.

The executioner's FOOTSTEPS ECHO of the polished floor."

I have kow idea where these rules originally came from and why. Doesn't really matter. I would just use them for visual effect --some extra impact.

Lots of professional eyes like who? Was this script sold or optioned? That's the bottom line, right. Who cares about vouching.

Certainly the writer visually pushes the envelope of screenwriting, but this is not better or more effective than a traditionally written script. It belabors a simple point to death. Big deal. The writer is smug in avoiding the use of periods in this glib presentation. There's good attention... and bad.

Honestly, this is a simple format to emulate. Just toss words on the page and say I'm an irreverent genius.

@e Langley. The spec sold and was made a movie in less than 4 years, title, Cobweb. SuperProducer Roy Lee vouched for script

Good for him. How many Specs with more traditional writing were sold in the same period. And performed better. I'll stand by the criticism. There are better ways to get noticed.

You mean COBWEB. The film that made a stellar $13,000 in Croatia. Released nearly three weeks ago in the Domestic market and has made zippity do dah. Guess writing legerdemain is no predictor of a successful film. What can you expect against BARBENHEIMER, but I bet Lizzy Caplan was happy for the work.

I've done it both ways and I don't think it matters.

There's a big difference between a shooting script and drafts before that. Most shooting scripts have things highlighted because it's a cue for a certain department (Art, SFX, VFX, wardrobe, set dec, props, audio, etc). In the end, it doesn't really matter for a read, as long as there's not a million of allcaps words, which is a bit distracting when reading.