Describing sounds in a script...

Gary the Llama

Gary the Llama

Well-known member
What is the "proper" way to emphasize sound in a screenplay? I'm writing a script that revolves around sound and I want to emphasize this in the script.

For instance, my first scene is nothing but sound. No picture, just a black screen and sound. How would I best go about writing this in my script?
 
Re: Describing sounds in a script...

OVER BLACK:

The sound of BLANK is heard.

There are numerous ways to go about this. I'm sure there will be other people that will throw in their opinions.
 
Re: Describing sounds in a script...

I gotta agree with TylerGred.

The SOUND of

GUNFIRE
ENGINES REVVING
AFTERBURNERS
A PANICKED CROWD
 
Re: Describing sounds in a script...

How about:

[tt]OVER BLACK:

The sound of 4'33" is heard.[/tt]

Now let's see who gets this. ;)
 
Re: Describing sounds in a script...

Well, it doesn't have to be "the sound of BLANK". It can just be "BLANK", as in:

John hears FOOTSTEPS or
Loraine CACKLES.

Most of these kinds of answers can be found just by looking at screenplays. Look up Drew's Script-o-Rama for lots and lots of screenplays from movies you've seen.
 
Re: Describing sounds in a script...

The sound of 4'33" is heard.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I got it. John Cage. Silence. This is off topic, but I went to a performance of some of John Cage's compositions once for a 20th Century Music class in college. I got there a bit late and sat behind some old guy. During the first piece, people were banging on objects such as typewriters and running around the stage in wolf masks--the kind of masks you'd wear for Halloween. Everyone was studying this performance intently, but I just busted out laughing at the absurdity of it. Couldn’t help myself. I got a bunch of nasty looks from the people in the audience, including my professor, who was a couple rows in front of me. But the old man in front of me turned around and smiled, and let out a small laugh himself. Well, at the end of the performance, they thanked and wanted to introduce the composer—John Cage. The audience applauded as the old guy in front of me stood up and made his way to the stage.

I wasn’t a fan, but I dug the fact that the guy had a sense of humor about his work.
 
Re: Describing sounds in a script...

[quote author=Josh_Boelter link=board=writing;num=1093458466;start=0#6 date=08/26/04 at 05:13:55]

Yeah, I got it. John Cage. Silence. This is off topic, but[/quote]

Perhaps off-topic for this question, but not in general. There is something to be said for taking close looks at Cage, or Warhol (not even necessarily the films), or any of the other folks who didn't do what everyone else was doing. Once you set aside the ones who were different only for the sake of being different, there's a lot to be learned.

Hey, maybe someday I'll give Lou a call and ask permission to do a film version of Metal Machine Music. :-)

Dan
 
Re: Describing sounds in a script...

[quote author=Josh_Boelter link=board=writing;num=1093458466;start=0#6 date=08/26/04 at 05:13:55]

Yeah, I got it. John Cage. Silence. This is off topic, but I went to a performance of some of John Cage's compositions once for a 20th Century Music class in college. I got there a bit late and sat behind some old guy. During the first piece, people were banging on objects such as typewriters and running around the stage in wolf masks--the kind of masks you'd wear for Halloween. Everyone was studying this performance intently, but I just busted out laughing at the absurdity of it. Couldn’t help myself. I got a bunch of nasty looks from the people in the audience, including my professor, who was a couple rows in front of me. But the old man in front of me turned around and smiled, and let out a small laugh himself. Well, at the end of the performance, they thanked and wanted to introduce the composer—John Cage. The audience applauded as the old guy in front of me stood up and made his way to the stage.

I wasn’t a fan, but I dug the fact that the guy had a sense of humor about his work.
[/quote]


What a great story! That is something you must use in a future screenplay. I love it.
 
Re: Describing sounds in a script...

You can also write onomonopoea.

BANG!

THUMP!

KAPOW!

ala batman. describing the sound will help minimize the repetition in the script. allow the audience (i.e. the reader) to experience the sounds for themself, not just as a function of the characters.

ex:

SPLAT SPLAT SPLAT

Smith turns to the source of the echoey noise.

The last vestments of a shadow disappear at the end of the dank alley.
 
Re: Describing sounds in a script...

[quote author=IsraelHoudini link=board=writing;num=1093458466;start=0#9 date=08/30/04 at 01:15:20]You can also write onomonopoea.[/quote]

It's spelled onomatopoeia. :P

I know because that was the word I got wrong to lose the county spelling bee :'(
 
Re: Describing sounds in a script...

that's a t in there? yikes. every teacher i ever had said it wrong. damned democrats and thier teachers' union.
 
Re: Describing sounds in a script...

[quote author=IsraelHoudini link=board=writing;num=1093458466;start=0#11 date=09/05/04 at 23:16:51]that's a t in there? yikes.  every teacher i ever had said it wrong. damned democrats and thier teachers' union.[/quote]

Haha....
 
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