Screenwriting : Writing Sound Within The Script by Imo Wimana Chadband

I'd write::::

INT. HOUSE - NIGHT

John doe asleep on the couch, palm wrapped around a beer can.

A loud KNOCK on the door breaks his slumber.

But that's just me. :)

I'd bold the word and change the font size.

In the first one I thought the can dropped or he fell off the sofa. So make sure the sounds and the source don’t need a rethink by the reader.

The THUD was a reveal to the reader. Perhaps that is what you wanted.

I would all cap KNOCK. Me, I find “palm” a bit weird. I’d say “hand.”

“John Doe asleep on the couch. Hand wrapped around a beer can.

A loud KNOCK at the door breaks his slumber.”

The knock should be described if it is pertinent to the scene. Hammering would denote the knock was done by someone desperate to enter. A gentle tapping would denote Someone is asking to be in but really lacks conviction to enter. Sound is always important if it brings something to the scenes action. Ambient sounds of the rodeo for example is one of the first lines of action for Dallas Buyers Club. The sound is ambient because the scene is in a rodeo but the focus is on Woodrow and he is not feeling well.

Ahhh! These responses really help clarify things up guys. Definitely gives me a more solid direction on how to incorporate sound. Already I can't wait to get home later to put it into practice ^_^

Kay: that last line you wrote. Immediately I read it and went "ohh. that works.". I'm currently trying to master being that concise with my writing without losing the imagery.

I prefer RAP for a knock

I think if your watching the guy knocking it would be straight action sound. If you hear the knocking out of nowhere, I like to loud KNOCK I guess it's all how picky the production co is. If your making it yourself then whatever floats your boat.

The old RULE is you CAP sound and the thing making it. But you do not CAP on screen sounds that are made by humans.; screaming. wisle etc. But this is old school. If you are consitant in what you CAP, most producers will not care. Just do not CAP everything!!!!

Hahaha @ "I don't care about readers" Dan. I don't know why that was so funny to me. I'm finding myself getting more to writing like the example you gave. I'm editing a script I want to get out in the world as my debut, and I'm so excited when I realize I'm beginning to see different ways to say things without being lengthy like I normally would. I'm getting there, slowly but surely. I have you guys to thank for the improvement.

Glad I asked this, because it brings to light the 'CAPS' in scripts. I've seen it continuously in screenplays and honestly wasn't aware of the actual rule/s when it comes to caps. I just created my own usage based off the words I saw in caps and mimicked it in my own writing. I've gained some insightful knowledge from the responses here. Appreciate all of the input given.

John Doe is passed out on the couch. His hand is loosely wrapped around a beer can.

A hard KNOCK on the door wakes him.

Or you can say "A hard KNOCK wakes his drunken slumber".