capitalize...

p3anut

p3anut

Member
Hey guys, just wandering if anyone could tell me exactly what needs to be capitalized in scripts and why? I know a few already like noises and introducing characters but are there any others?

Cheers
 
Camera movement and direction (which should be used sparingly). Examples: CLOSE-UP on the gun.

Transitions. Examples: CUT TO, DISSOLVE TO, FADE IN, and FADE OUT

Scene headings. Examples: INT. HOUSE - DAY or EXT. FIELD - NIGHT

Those are the only others I can think of off the top of my head. I'm sure if you Googled it that you would find all the script formatting rules you could ever want.
 
You are right on that. However I just finished reading the script for The Bourne Identity and the writer uses uppercase for characters all throughout the script, far beyond character introductions. Annoying, and seems to break the rules. Not sure why the writer did that. But that said, the script was a very very fast read.

p3anutty said:
Hey guys, just wandering if anyone could tell me exactly what needs to be capitalized in scripts and why? I know a few already like noises and introducing characters...
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It's common to capitalize character names upon their first appearance in the script.

Also to capitalize props, dressing or action specifically important to the scene being described.
 
cool, thanks heaps lads. I also read somewhere that it is common to use capitals as a way to show that the camera would go to that object in the scene. But as we all know every script is different, even though there is some common ground..... Funny example actually, since I am aspiring to create an animated feature I have been researching scripts and found that the first two words in disneys the toy story, are "we see" which we all know is most of the time a big no no.
 
p3anut said:
cool, thanks heaps lads. I also read somewhere that it is common to use capitals as a way to show that the camera would go to that object in the scene. But as we all know every script is different, even though there is some common ground..... Funny example actually, since I am aspiring to create an animated feature I have been researching scripts and found that the first two words in disneys the toy story, are "we see" which we all know is most of the time a big no no.
Click to expand...

What draft of the screenplay are you reading? Are you sure that's not a transcription? I'm looking at a draft that begins with "A row of moving boxes lie on the floor of the room." Also, considering how vital the storyboard process is in animation filmmaking, I'd be careful with completely trusting an animated script. Not that the writing won't be good (on the contrary), but just remember that certain liberties might be taken in the screenplay.
 
The first thing a Production Manager will do when your script is picked up is go through and capitalize ALL names, sounds, objects, and also insert scene headings into flashback and montage sequences. "Readers" may not like this, but the guy who's doing the breakdown certainly appreciates a writer who understands the production process.
 
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