I have been reading through several screenplays in various genres both indy and mainstream. I have noticed that many of them will make use of "we see" or "we track through" and various other uses of "we" and I was wondering if anyone uses that when they are writing? Also I was wondering about tenses and if anyone has advice on how to stay with present tense when writing? Any tips or tricks to make the writing process more marketable for today? Thank you in advance for your time and advice/comments.
Screenwriting : Tenses and the usage of We by Rachel Meyers
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I got some script coverage done and they said that the, "We see" was not proper in industry standard screenplays. I used that through out my script.
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'We see..." is unnecessary. Camera directions should be avoided - use action descriptions. (Avoided as should things like specifying music or names or products or exact locations - unless its essential for the Screenplay). The Screenwriter is not the Director nor the Music Director nor the Cinematographer. The Screenwriter is he/she who tells the story and only includes the necessary to do so well.
Instead of the "he is" statements or any verb "to be", "is", tell what the character does. For example, "He sleeps on the couch." Or, "She reads the letter out loud."
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If you are a writer/director, making your own feature, you can write in crayon, mirrored text and even invent your own language if you wish. Most well known writers, can also get away with bending or breaking screenwriting format rules. However, as a spec writer, you want to write BETTER than anyone else out there. You cannot afford mistakes and your script has to read as fluidly as possible. So, avoid lazy redundant choices like 'we see' and 'we hear', regardless of what professional examples someone else offers as a valid excuse for using them. We are not there, for a start. Naturally, everything that is shown, is visual, so 'we see' everything, on screen. Avoid camera angles. You are not the director. There are other ways you can influence camera shots, by honing in on specific details of visuals in your script, but only do this if it is vital to your story. Write in the present simple tense.
I definitely learned my lesson and now I can be a better screenwriter. One that is more religiously focus on what I am typing.
I've always considered any use of "We" to be weak screenwriting because it deliberately reminds a reader one is reading a script. I'd rather be so absorbed by the story I forget I'm only reading it; I want to experience it as the characters do. Anything taking me out of that experience is bad.
Thank you everyone for the suggestions and comments. I have a hoard of scripts from several places and after reading screenplays like Bourne Supremacy, Basic, Courage Under Fire, I Robot, Devil's Advocate, Natural Born Killers and so on, it seems so prevalent in the scripts and the reason I asked about it. I most certainly see why the use of "we" can be taken as direction rather than showing a story. Again, thank you all.
Many of those scripts you mention are older. That's why you see it. "We see" used to be taught as a way to do it.
well you gentlemen have been very helpful! That explains a lot. :) Thank you for all your help and I will make sure to use the advice! Are there any current books on spec writing? I live so far from a college that teaches screenwriting that books are all I can work with right now besides the sharing of knowledge found here until I am able to move and afford it. Any links or blogs or anything to help with spec writing that you have found especially helpful; and worth the money would be great. I have a lot of the older books that everyone recommends but nothing really current. Thank you again!
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As a script consultant for over a decade now, this is something I come across regularly. The problem is most fledgling writers check out screenplays online to follow correct format, but these will undoubtedly be shooting drafts, not reading drafts. "We see" or variations thereof have no place in reading drafts - spec screenplays that most people on here will be sending to agents, competitions and production companies. I'm in agreement with those on here who feel it is weak writing.
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Most script online are shooting scripts, not the original screenplays. Thus they will contain camera directions. When you are an established writer, you can use some direction, but for fledgling/unknowns it's a no-no. Find another way to suggest camera shots, example.... The feet of the gang clatter through the school hallway. John navigates through the densely populated sidewalk.