Simple Screenplay Question

A

AustinT

New member
Hey everyone,
I am writing a script right now and am a little confused about something. At the beginning of my script, there is a sound that comes in before the picture even does ( like you hear a gunshot and then the picture comes in). It's a novice question but how would I write the sound in? Would I put it above the fade in or not?
Any help is appreciated.
 
FADE IN:

ON BLANK SCREEN.

A loud GUNSHOT fires from a double barrel SHOTGUN.

EXT. AUSTIN STREETS - MORNING

SEVERAL PEOPLE turn their heads to the sound.

SCOTT WALKER stands in the middle of the crowd. Close on the handle of a SILVER HANDGUN tucked in his trousers.


Yeha I'd write something along those lines. You always write FADE IN: as the first two words: always. To have a blank screen you simply fade in on the blank screen. They do this in the beginning of The Matrix when they fade in on a blank computer screen.

Hope this helps you. Maybe some of the other guys can throw in some comments too. Posting novice questions is awesome since it gets them answered.

Ammar
 
Thanks Ammar,

That's exactly what I wanted to know. I just wasn't sure if the Fade In: always comes first, so thanks for the info.
 
But... you can't "fade in" to a blank screen. And call me crazy, but I don't think every film "fades in," a lot "cut" directly to an image.

What I'm trying to say is, I don't believe that "fade in" is required to be at the start, or even in a script at all. So you could put the sound effect above the "fade in," if you so choose. Whatever reads best for you.
 
Yeah, I guess you really can't fade in to a blank screen.

I guess I'll just do what looks best but as for now, my script starts with Fade In:

Thanks for the info.
 
You would use FADE IN: when you actually fade into something. But, its really up the writer. All screen writers have thier own techs.
 
dopeyname101 said:
But... you can't "fade in" to a blank screen. And call me crazy, but I don't think every film "fades in," a lot "cut" directly to an image.

What I'm trying to say is, I don't believe that "fade in" is required to be at the start, or even in a script at all. So you could put the sound effect above the "fade in," if you so choose. Whatever reads best for you.
Click to expand...

It's awkward but big budgeted produced scripts use the convention.

FADE IN...

TO A BLACK SCREEN

Huh?
 
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