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   It's the first time I've enterd this comp and just want your advice on the use of SHOTS and TRANSITIONS in Scriptwiting. Thanks.

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KyleMorris Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List NYC Midnight Newbie Joined: 13 Mar 2008 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 13	Post Options Post Reply Quote KyleMorris Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Your Advice Posted: 08 Apr 2008 at 10:21am
	It's the first time I've enterd this comp and just want your advice on the use of SHOTS and TRANSITIONS in Scriptwiting. Thanks.

gmercer Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List NYC Midnight Addict Joined: 19 Jul 2006 Status: Offline Points: 345	Post Options Post Reply Quote gmercer Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 08 Apr 2008 at 11:36am
	kyle, usually the use of shots and transitions are considered the director's job and the writer's job is to tell the story, but, sometimes it is necessary to use a shot or transition to properly tell the story your trying to tell. just use caution and common sense and don't go overboard...or do whatever you want...what the hell do i know?

KyleMorris Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List NYC Midnight Newbie Joined: 13 Mar 2008 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 13	Post Options Post Reply Quote KyleMorris Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 08 Apr 2008 at 1:32pm
	...more than me. Cheers.

shawnman Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List NYC Midnight Groupie Joined: 20 Jul 2007 Status: Offline Points: 88	Post Options Post Reply Quote shawnman Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 09 Apr 2008 at 6:26pm
	I agree with gmercer. I've heard it said that it is the mark of an amateur screenwriter that includes directions in their script. As a screenwriter, it's your job to tell the story. It's the director's job to tell that story on screen and he/she can cut, fade, transition, dissolve or whatever they want to tell the story for their vision. Unless you're also going to direct the movie, leave 'em out. That being said, if you think your script needs this in order for the reader to follow the story (e.g. scene takes place inside a character's mind), then do so. Of course I'm no professional here, so I could be wrong and may just be an opinionated procrastinator desperately searching the forum for alternatives to actually writing my own screenplay. Edited by shawnman - 09 Apr 2008 at 6:27pm

johnnyd Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List NYC Midnight Addict Joined: 22 Jul 2006 Status: Offline Points: 274	Post Options Post Reply Quote johnnyd Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 10 Apr 2008 at 5:51am
	In my experience, you save TONS of page space by omitting camera directions. Plus, in a spec script, they serve no purpose whatsoever, because there is no effective difference between: EXT. CAIRO STREET - CLOSE UP The Swordsman brandishes his sword. CUT TO Indy pulls his gun... BACK TO SWORDSMAN ... and shoots to Swordsman dead. and EXT. CAIRO STREET The Swordsman brandishes his sword. Indy pulls his gun and shoots to Swordsman dead. Just my 2 cents...
	"Liberty means responsibility. That is why most men dread it." � George Bernard Shaw

dbl219 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List NYC Midnight Groupie Joined: 08 Apr 2008 Status: Offline Points: 37	Post Options Post Reply Quote dbl219 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 10 Apr 2008 at 1:20pm
	Personally, I use occasional transitions. Nothing more complicated than a standard, "CUT TO," and only if I'm moving from one location to another, entirely unrelated location which requires emphasis. It's almost as if to say, "Okay, now this scene's over and we're going here, in case you weren't paying attention." Of course, with only 15 pages to work with, you may be better off not using transitions at all, both due to space concerns, as well as your lack of familiarity with the subject. Camera directions are a major, major no-no. Get rid of 'em.

marse Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List NYC Midnight Groupie Joined: 10 Apr 2008 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 67	Post Options Post Reply Quote marse Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 10 Apr 2008 at 2:43pm
	I teach screenwriting. What do you need to know? In general, KISS - Keep It Simple S(whatever) - don't use shots or transitions unless absolutely necessary. Tell your story simply, cleanly. Good luck. Mark

deadpanwalking Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 13 Apr 2008 Status: Offline Points: 8	Post Options Post Reply Quote deadpanwalking Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 15 Apr 2008 at 5:54pm
	From what I've heard, Director's hate scene directions and actors hate parentheticals. I'll use a "CUT TO" if I'm transitioning to a fairly unrelated shot in the same scene, and only then if it's blocks of action. I think Marse is right, keep it simple and just tell the story as best you can.

kernokern Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List NYC Midnight Newbie Joined: 20 Aug 2007 Status: Offline Points: 26	Post Options Post Reply Quote kernokern Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 19 Apr 2008 at 6:48am
	I generally try to avoid shot directions as well. The goal of the screenplay is really to allow your images to jump out of your prose and dialogue. If you write your action portions in the right way, you won't need shot directions. Of course, there are exceptions to every rule, and it is all going to be relative to what the story and script needs. The more unneccesary camera directions you have, the higher the risk that you'll take your reader (be it a director, exec, or family member) out of the story and make it obvious that they are reading a screenplay.

nippyfan Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List NYC Midnight Groupie Joined: 27 Jul 2007 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 203	Post Options Post Reply Quote nippyfan Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 23 Apr 2008 at 6:14pm
	Unless you are going the Quentin Tarantino route (and who wouldn't like to) directing and writing and just being the whole genius package, leave out all the camera angles and shots. Let your Director earn that big check and load of respect he or she will get, while you stand in the shadows (of your genius.) :-)
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