I once heard (on one of the 100 or so episodes of Scriptnotes podcast) that there is a rule-of-thumb about the limit of on-screen text a writer can include (i.e. someone writing a note or info in a newspaper article). One of the podcasters explained the limit of this reading material is important for the pacing of the scene and how much people will read before they lose interest. I assume it's a few words or a line, just want to get some other opinions.
Screenwriting : What is the rule-of-thumb for on-screen text? by Jess Paul
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Hey Jess...If you're talking about screen description or character introduction or action, I would highly recommend no more than 3 lines. Less if you can make it work.
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Hey RB! I'm actually talking about when an prop baring text is onscreen: someone is reading/writing a letter or scanning through a newspaper, medical records, police report etc that has information that's important to the story.
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I know what you are talking about Jess. I would recommend using your judgement when writing a scene like that. When you do your writing, act it out, read it out loud to yourself, and see if the pacing is right. If it feels like too much, it might be too much. Don't forget, you can even narrate what is on the paper and only show the back of it, so that you don't have people trying to read it. Or do something like Baz Luhrman did in Great Gatsby and have the character writing and not have what is being written seen, and have the words as a layover on screen. I know my second point there kind of falls outside of the realm of writer, but if you are writer/director it can be applied.
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Ah...I see, Jess. I agree with much of what Vincenzo says above. I would just add that less is more. If you go the: "Joe looks at the letter, we hear him read in V.O.)" route, you have to keep it short. In fact any device where something is being read or looked at for any period of time can bring the proceedings to a halt. If you can find a better way to get the point across, it will probably work to your benefit.
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Thank you, guys!!!
Very welcome, Jess.
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Hi Jess. I'd recommend watching Elementary for some good examples. Holmes and Watson text each other often. It's usually a very brief sentence.