Hi, I'm new here and just purchased Final Draft 10.
I'm trying to rewrite a script of mine with the new software. I found that there are lots of different formats and rules governing how to write a script. Here's an example of a scene. I capitalize the characters, their actions and their descriptions. It just doesn't look right.
7. INT. PSYCHIC SHOP - BACK ROOM - DAY
LADY DANA, a middle aged woman DRESSED in FLOWING VEILS and BEADS, SITS behind a DESK with her feet up on it, EATING some COOKIES, while watching a DAYTIME TALK SHOW. The room is CLUTTERED with PERSONAL JUNK. A CLOSED CIRCUIT TV Displays the FRONT ROOM. She sees a BLUE LATE MODEL TRANS AM ENTER the PARKING LOT and PARK in front of her STORE. She quickly drops the cookies and brushes herself off. TURNS OFF the TV and PUTS ON a FLOWERY HEAD PIECE. She WATCHES the CCTV INTENTLY.
There seems to be too much capitalized.
JB
You're capitalizing too much.
Here's a list.
Generally, text in a screenplay’s actions or stage directions will be in ALL CAPS when something deserves special attention.
Some common all caps examples:
The first time a character is introduced, his or her name should be in all caps. This is the one steadfast all caps rule.
Visual or special effects will often be in all caps.
Specific, important sounds that either have to be captured during filming or added in during post.
Any integral or specifically important props, wardrobe, or other details the first time it is mentioned.
Mid-scene slugs.
Anything else the writer wants the reader or audience to pay particular attention to, or the writer wants to be certain the director, effects artist, editor, or any other crew member notes.
Other non-stage direction instances worth mentioning:
Scene headings.
All stage direction in multi camera teleplays
Transitions like FADE IN:, CUT TO:, etc.
Act/scene numbers in teleplays or other formats that demand these.
The speaker’s name above his or her dialogue.
Abbreviations such as V.O., O.S., etc.
.
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Yeah, you're capping way too much. In fact, I don't even cap half as much as what Grady suggests. Overuse of capping pulls the reader out of the story, the reader is your friend, don't upset them. Make the read as easy and as smooth as possible, allow the reader to take a journey in your story. Too many caps and elements that are difficult to understand will make the journey unpleasant for the reader which is only bad news for you.
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I don't cap everything I suggest either. HAHAHAHA!
Read a few scripts and find what works best for you. Tony Gilroy hardly ever uses sluglines he does clever transition. I can't write like him. I used sluglines to indicate hard cuts without saying CUT TO. There are format rules and accepted formats. It's up to you how you implement them.