Really novice question - but you guys will know the answer

[Ammar]

Hey guys. Something has been bothering for a while. I've been writing for well over a year but there has always been something I have been unclear on.

When you write a sentence, or paragraph in a screenplay what exactly, as per the rules of screenplay format do you capitalise? From my understanding you write something like: SEAN runs to the window and makes a jump through as the air STREAMS past.

So you capitalise the NAME when introducing a character for the first time and then the SOUND. I've seen the Matrix guys literally capitalise anything they want, and M. Night Shyamalan capitalises whole sentences at will. So reading from the pros kind of confused me more.

So is it just NAMES and SOUNDS or more - or is it even upto the writer's style, hence why there was such a difference between the professionals?

Could really use your help on this one - even though I feel like an absolute novice asking when I even did a Masters.

Ammar

 

[pmark23]

I capitalize anything that needs to stand-out for the breakdown -- makes budgeting much easier. This means props, sounds, wardrobe, stunts, etc.

When your screenplay goes into production it'll be rewritten this way by one of the line producers, and they'll thank you for it.

There isn't really a "standard" for writing screenplays. There's a set of conventions that are loosely followed, but everyone has their own preferences. I've had a script go between two producers, and each one kept rewriting each-others formatting until I came up with a compromise that made both of them happy.

 

[AJ Brooks]

Yeah, pretty much if you have a reason as pmark23 was saying you can cap it.

But watch for doing it too much. I find it very stressing to read a capped word on every other line in the action.

 

[ConspiracyPenguin]

Yeah, pretty much if you have a reason as pmark23 was saying you can cap it.

But watch for doing it too much. I find it very stressing to read a capped word on every other line in the action.

Agreed. It is true that many hardcore "format Nazis" will expect you to stcik tooth and nail to the "correct format" but as a writer, I say it is accpetable to establish your own style that works best for you as long as it sticks with the basic guidelines.

For example (and I take a lot of heat for this) when I write I capitalize every use of a persons name. I know many say you only need to do it first, but I am a bit obsessive compulsive and having it capped once and not the rest of the times would be painfully "eneven."

As far as what else to cap, that varies depending on who you talk to. When I started out I capitalized any ACTION and even certain OBJECTS that were slated for direct interaction within the plot. Now I find myself only capping NAMES.