Screenwriting : Song Lyrics by Ted Campbell

your own original lyrics or a known song by someone else? if it helps set a tone and has a true purpose in the scene, then it's fine. And you should italicize song lyrics on the page.

I was more interested in setting a tone. Not expecting or insisting the song end up in the final film. After thinking about it, I feel it'd be a distraction to the reader. But damn, in my mind, this particular song so sets the mood and tone.

If you think a specific song is that important in your script, I'd go for it. Generally speaking, it's considered a no-no for spec writers, and especially novices, because they might not understand the costs of acquiring song rights for a script. On the flip side, there are a lot of lower-budget films ($2 million - $10 million) with great song soundtracks. Maybe not in ultra low-budget films, but definitely in low-budget films.

But you're not a novice writer, you are in the biz, and you are an award-winning writer to boot. I'd go with what I thought was right, all things (budget) considered. Clearing artist, label and publishing rights sometimes isn't too expensive, and sometimes it is. And congrats on your major win - that's quite an achievement.

Best fortunes in your creative endeavors, Ted!

definitively song lyrics in screenplay

I recently did it in a spec script fantasy. However, it's a higher budget, period piece. So if anyone is interested in producing it, I can always modify accordingly. I did it to set a tone (as Danny M mentioned) and it was a large part of the humor of the scene. Otherwise, I keep it generic and say rock or classical music is playing.