I would just like to ask, I have written my first script that I thought was a Spec Script but I have incorporated screen shots.
It is my first time writing and I was not aware of the difference between a Spec and Shooting script.
Should I erase all the, CUT TO, Transitions, View shots ETC?
I am open to any thoughts on this matter and would be much appreciated feedback.
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Being your first script it isn’t that important. You will write more and probably go back and rewrite this one a few times.
There is no hard and fast rule. Most people in their first script throw things like that in all over the place and it can be distracting. Place it also show (in many cases) that the writer doesn’t know how somethings are achieved.
Go read some more scripts. Take note of when it is used. You’ll find it is done when it is super important to the story. Not how the writer wants the story to look on screen. I have used one. It is the opening shot of a movie. I want the thing to start disorientating.
CLOSE IN on a set of closed female eyes. Her breathing is loud. They snap open.
INT. WAREHOUSE.
MISHA leaps to her feet in a panic……
That was the opening of a horror I wrote. It was my sixth or seventh script. People that read screenplays know how to visualise things, you don’t have to tell them. You can hint. Here is a video I did on how to hint.
https://youtu.be/UokqYDjw2S8
Thanks Graig much appreciate the feedback and insight.
Thanks for the insight
Spec script is the thing u write nobody asked u to. Has nothing to do with shots, pans, angles, whatever...
Kiril, I agree and disagree. A spec is a job for yourself. So no one can tell you what to put in it, because there is no one else. If you think it needs camera angles go for it. However, you nearly never need a camera angle.
Once there is other people involved I drop all that stuff out of rewrites. I start putting in feeling and tone. In a spec I may add a camera angle to make people think “interesting choice”. Once we are working it becomes a very functional document.
In production, every single person knows their jobs better than I ever will. It would be a huge ego to tell a DP what lens I would use.
Craig, famous directors write specs themselves. Watcha think, do they omit scene shots and leave it for "director" to decide? C'mon... :)
I cannot make a decision for another human being. Watch this “everyone in stage32 give Craig $100”. Just because I write it down doesn’t make it happen. Because I think the reader needs to be told about a particular visual queue to get the most out of my story. Does NOT mean anyone has to stick with it.
Directors are not precious little snow flakes that melt if someone mentions a close up. Holy crap (we) writers are arrogant. Why do any of us imagine that people hold what we write as valuable. They look at our effort as a story. Then they see how they would tell thy story.
In Alien the character of Ripley was supposed to be male. Do you think they worried if the writer mentioned a close up when they are changing genders of the main character?
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I suggest cutting the CUT TO, transitions, view shot, etc. It will reduce your page count, and the script will read easier.
I can teach formatting in an afternoon seminar but screenwriting is a life long course. My advice when you are starting out is to learn the ways and whys of the 'spec' script format - it really will make your life/learning much easier.
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Thanks All, much appreciate all the comments and insight.