Wondering what some of you think on the different choices of screenplay headings? I'm reading lately that it is okay to bold or even underline a heading. Or leave it alone. Or? Also reading about it being a choice as to CAP sounds or not. Does anyone know what the professional preference is at this time? Thanks so much for your input.
Screenwriting : Screenplay Headings by Lynne Logan
Screenplay Headings
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Hi Lynne, Personally I like bold sluglines. It makes the scene heading stand out and you get an idea of scene size and where you are on the page at a glance. I haven't seen very many headings underlined and can't think what benefit it provides. My rule of thumb is, if it adds clarity, use it, otherwise omit it. Sounds are usually capped in a shooting script, not necessary in a spec unless the sound is vital to the story or to draw the readers attention to it. Kind Regards, Eoin
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This is ancient news. When screenplays were written on typewriters sluglines were often bolded or underlined (since you could do both on a typewriter). I bold my sluglines. Since the dawn of time (and Tony Orlando) not every sound has been all caps... cap for emphasis, not just because it's a sound. This isn't 1940s live TV where a sound man is just off camera and needs to know that a telephone rings in advance so that they can have the telephone bell gizmo. All of the answers are in screenplays. Read them.
I cap all my sounds and never bold or underline a slugline. Been writing screenplays for twenty years (and had a couple produced). Have not had any complaints so far. There's plenty of wiggle room in the details of screenplay format, so it's entirely possible to read screenplays and see different things.
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What a variety. Exactly what I've been reading as well as seeing in scripts. Just wanted to get your feedback. Thanks much.
The monthly e-mag from the writebrothers (by John Trotter...author of Screenwriter's Bible) is brilliant for questions like this. He says no need to all cap sound effects any more. WRT screenplay 'headings', Lynne, so you mean sluglines? I would do what your software prompts you to do (just allcap sluglines, not bold or underline). That said, I have read specs where some loglines were underlined, like to signify a big change of act, and I liked it!
Sorry, where some sluglines (not loglines) were underlined.
Thank you Sarah. I really do like the looks of it bolded or underlined. I think it's a little easier on the eye for separation purposes. And I'm finding that either one is okay. Just wanted to get feedback from other writers.