1 #LyX 1.2 created this file. For more info see http://www.lyx.org/
10 \papersize letterpaper
15 \use_numerical_citations 0
16 \paperorientation portrait
26 \paragraph_separation indent
28 \quotes_language english
36 [NICHOLL FELLOWSHIPS in SCREENWRITING]
39 http://www.oscars.org/academy/nichollindex.html
55 Formatted text courtesy of Ann Garretson
58 http://www.halcyon.com/aga
61 Copyright 1998 by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
73 Source: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (A.M.P.A.S.)
76 - The NICHOLL FELLOWSHIPS in SCREENWRITING
79 - http://www.oscars.org/nicholl/index.html
82 - E-mail: Greg Beal, gbeal@oscars.org
85 File Info: April, 1998 (online)
88 - http://www.oscars.org/nicholl/format_a.txt
91 - View in a monospaced font -- preferably 12-point Courier.
94 Copyright 1998 by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
100 Permission to use this script as a LyX example file was kindly granted by
101 Greg Beal, gbeal@oscars.org.
104 I added a few lines at the end of script about binding.
105 The original script ended with the words
106 \begin_inset Quotes eld
109 I'd never let you miss a meal.
110 \begin_inset Quotes erd
113 There were also references to tabs, which don't exist in LyX, so I made
114 minor changes in the text.
115 Apologies and kudos to Ann Garretson.
116 Be sure to thank her when you get your Oscar.
129 \added_space_bottom vfill
133 \layout Right Address
146 \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Joe}
151 \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{April}
167 Spacing Other to set the spacing between lines.
168 A value of .85 is probably the minimum.
215 speakeroffset}{1.2in}
218 click TeX and enter new values as above.
221 Parenoffset is the offset to the left of parentheticals from speaker names.
224 Speakeroffset is the offset to the right of the dialog margin, so changing
225 dialogindent will automatically change the position of parentheticals and
235 You can put your Speaker names in labels, the insert cross references to
237 The printed version will automatically be capitalized in Speaker even if
238 the label is not capped.
239 This way you can use them in dialogue also, and change all references to
240 your Speaker's names just by changing the label.
268 DRISKILL HOTEL SEMINAR ROOM - DAY
271 JOE and APRIL burst through the doors into a clean, well-lit seminar room
280 Use the description after INT.
282 to keep it on the same page.
283 Narrative is the same, except that it allows a pagebreak before it.
284 Notice that I did not use the labels for Joe and April here because they
285 are upper-cased in discriptions only the first time they are used.
286 You could make extra labels, but I think it would be error-prone.
293 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe}
304 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April}
311 How could they start without us? We're the main attraction.
315 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe}
319 catches his breath as he leans against the podium at the front of the room.
323 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe}
328 \layout Parenthetical
330 looking about the room
337 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April}
345 You know we've been invited to Austin to discuss script format.
349 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe}
356 But why is the room empty?
360 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April}
365 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe}
369 both look out across the room -- rows of empty chairs and nary a person
374 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April}
381 Okay, okay, don't panic.
384 She takes three deep breaths.
385 Then she looks at her watch and smiles.
395 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe}
407 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April}
416 Top, 1.0 inch to the body, 0.5 inches to the number.
417 Bottom, 0.5 to 1.5 inches, depending on where the page break comes.
421 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe}
432 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April}
440 Rules for breaking a page.
441 Scene headers, like INT., remain attached to Description.
442 If a page breaks between a Speaker and a one sentence Dialogue, move it
444 A long Dialogue passage would be split -- but I'll get to that later.
448 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe}
459 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April}
466 Courier, 12 point, 10 pitch.
467 Make sure it's a non-proportional version of Courier.
471 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe}
475 's grimace suggests that he's deep in thought.
479 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe}
486 What about bold-face or italics? Or a Gothic font? I love to jazz up my
491 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April}
498 No bold, no itals, no script fonts, no Gothic, no Helvetica, no Times Roman.
500 That's the industry standard.
504 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe}
511 Oh, we're talking about industry standards?
515 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe}
519 bolts from behind the podium and runs out into:
522 DRISKILL HOTEL HALLWAY - DAY
526 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe}
530 glances up and down the hallway, then reaches back to open the door.
534 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe}
539 \layout Parenthetical
545 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April}
549 -- come on! There's no one here.
553 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April}
558 \layout Parenthetical
560 walking through the door
564 Or a slug line, as I was taught in film school.
566 What happens if we \SpecialChar \ldots{}
570 TEXAS CAPITOL BUILDING - DAY
574 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe}
578 pinches himself as he stands with
579 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April}
583 before the seat of Texas politics.
587 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe}
598 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April}
605 There was a cut -- from the hallway to the capitol.
606 What'd you want to do -- ride in a cab?
610 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe}
621 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April}
630 Of course, you can cheat those a tad.
639 These are from the paper edge, but you specify them from
642 the left margin using dialoglength and dialogIndent.
649 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe}
656 So, you have about 3.0 inches for each line of your dialogue?
660 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April}
668 Though you can go out another three or four spaces to the right and no
669 one will hold it against you.
673 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe}
677 jots down several notes on a 3 x 5 card, studies the card for a moment,
678 then scribbles another note.
682 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe}
687 \layout Parenthetical
692 And the position of the speaker's name?
696 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April}
703 All CAPS, and about 2.7 inches from the left margin.
704 Some writers center all the speakers' names.
713 Use More to break up a dialogue across a page boundary.
714 It will put (MORE) at the bottom of the page, and insert the current speaker
715 name and (CONT'D) at the top of the next page.
716 You should not break mid-sentence.
724 Personally, I don't think it matters.
725 The look of the script pages is slightly different in either case.
729 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe}
740 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April}
747 A page break appeared in the middle of my dialogue.
748 You use (MORE) at the bottom of the page to show that the speaker's dialogue
749 continues onto the next page.
750 Then (CONT'D) next to the speaker to show that it has roots in the previous
755 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe}
762 But not everybody uses MOREs and CONT'Ds, do they?
765 CAPITOL BUILDING - DAY
769 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe}
773 stares up into the dome.
775 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April}
779 examines the portraits of Texas governors on the nearby walls.
783 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April}
790 Some writers just plan their page ends so as to avoid them.
794 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe}
799 \layout Parenthetical
804 What about parentheticals?
808 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April}
815 Start them about a half-inch to the left of the speaker name.
816 In our case that would be at 2.2 inches from the left margin.
820 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe}
827 And what are they for?
831 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April}
838 For years, parentheticals were used to express emotion, the manner in which
839 a speaker spoke her lines.
840 Loudly, passionately, sadly, and so on.
841 In recent years writers have often used them for brief bits of action.
845 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe}
850 \layout Parenthetical
859 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April}
864 \layout Parenthetical
873 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe}
880 How wide are parentheticals?
884 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April}
891 Not very -- about 1.5 inches.
892 And they should wrap to the following line when they extend beyond that
894 \layout Parenthetical
896 pointing up to the top of the page
899 If you place a parenthetical in the middle of a dialogue passage, it should
900 remain distinct from the dialogue.
903 MISSISSIPPI RIVERBOAT - NIGHT
906 A gambling boat rolls slowly along the mighty river.
908 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April}
913 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe}
917 wander about its upper deck.
921 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe}
928 I have to ask -- what happened to CUT TO:s between scenes.
932 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April}
939 Many writers still use transitions such as CUT TO: and DISSOLVE TO: between
944 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe}
951 Those would introduce a new scene header?
955 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April}
962 And typically a different time and/or place.
963 But many writers have dispensed with such transitions, feeling that a new
964 scene header signifies a cut without the need of any additional indicator.
968 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe}
972 stares out at the river.
976 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe}
983 How did we reach the Mississippi and when did the sun set?
987 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April}
994 If you'd like \SpecialChar \ldots{}
1001 A jet liner cruises East across Texas.
1007 A customized interior, replete with lounge chairs and sofas.
1009 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe}
1014 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April}
1022 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe}
1029 Is this a flashback?
1033 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April}
1040 Or it could be tomorrow.
1056 \begin_inset Quotes eld
1060 \begin_inset Quotes erd
1063 will insert the current Speaker followed by (continuing) as a parenthetical.
1064 Don't worry, it will look right on the printed version.
1070 You see, a few weeks have passed.
1074 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe}
1081 Okay, I didn't notice.
1082 But I thought only DAY and NIGHT were allowed on scene headers.
1086 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April}
1093 Production managers would certainly prefer it that way, but many writers
1094 use headers as a means of showing a particular time of day, especially
1099 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe}
1110 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April}
1117 On writer's drafts, without a doubt.
1121 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe}
1132 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April}
1139 Essentially, any draft that hasn't been paid for.
1140 Any draft to be sent to agents, studio execs, production companies, development
1142 Those are writer's drafts.
1143 And they all should be FIRST DRAFTs, no matter how many versions the writer
1144 has actually written.
1148 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe}
1155 You really think so?
1159 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April}
1166 That's my recommendation.
1173 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April}
1177 drives along Austin's Congress Avenue as
1178 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe}
1186 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe}
1193 You speak any foreign languages?
1197 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April}
1202 \layout Parenthetical
1207 Why do you ask? (Pour quoi tu demandes?)
1211 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe}
1218 What about action scenes?
1221 SUDDENLY, A BLACK CADILLAC whips around a corner, racing quickly towards
1224 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April}
1228 punches the accelerator and -- THE BLUE CAMARO leaps forward, leaving a
1230 The Camaro takes a left, then a quick right to accelerate into -- A DARK
1231 ALLEY The Camaro quickly reaches a dead end, just as -- THE BLACK CADILLAC
1232 pulls into the alley, sealing it shut.
1239 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April}
1243 leads a dazed and confused
1244 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe}
1252 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April}
1259 That's one way to do an action scene.
1260 It's a variation on the Bill Goldman style that's used by many writers.
1264 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe}
1269 \layout Parenthetical
1274 But other writers just use normal description and standard scene headers
1275 for action scenes, don't they?
1279 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April}
1289 DRISKILL HOTEL ENTRANCE HALL -- PHONE BOOTH - DAY
1292 A slightly less dazed
1293 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe}
1297 speaks on the phone.
1301 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe}
1308 I thought we were walking together.
1312 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April}
1317 \layout Parenthetical
1322 Well, we were, but I realized a phone call was needed.
1326 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe}
1338 STATE CAPITOL PHONE BOOTH - DAY
1341 With the dome looming large behind her,
1342 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April}
1346 speaks into the phone.
1350 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April}
1357 Only when you hear my voice over the phone.
1358 Radio voices and phone calls often are filtered, though it's a convention
1359 that isn't used by everyone anymore.
1363 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe}
1370 Let's try something easy.
1371 What about page numbers?
1375 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April}
1382 Number each and every page, though you can start with page two.
1383 The numbers should appear in the upper right hand corner, about 0.5 inches
1384 down and 0.75 inches from the right page edge.
1385 Those dimensions are not set in stone, but page numbers should always be
1386 placed in the upper right hand corner.
1389 DRISKILL HOTEL HALLWAY - DAY
1393 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe}
1397 walks slowly towards the seminar room.
1401 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe}
1408 You know, that pronouncement almost seemed godlike.
1412 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April}
1419 If it were, I probably would have spoken in a voice over and not on the
1424 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe}
1428 searches the ceiling, trying to decide just where this disembodied voice
1433 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe}
1445 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April}
1452 Oftentimes for narration, for a narrator's voice.
1453 In film noir the protagonists often filled the audience in on their thoughts
1455 Documentary films are filled with voice over.
1458 DRISKILL HOTEL SEMINAR ROOM - DAY
1462 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe}
1467 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April}
1471 to reach the podium first.
1473 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April}
1477 walks slowly past the still-empty chairs.
1482 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe}
1486 gestures with his hands as if he were making a major political speech.
1490 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April}
1494 sneaks up behind him and mimics his movements -- until he notices.
1496 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe}
1500 spins to confront her.
1504 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe}
1511 Why I ought'a \SpecialChar \ldots{}
1516 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April}
1523 I was just demonstrating the way many writers break description into shorter
1525 I've seen blocks of description covering an entire page.
1529 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe}
1536 That makes for tough reading, doesn't it?
1540 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April}
1547 I know studio readers who just skip long description and read only dialogue.
1551 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe}
1558 But there are pros who write scripts with extended descriptive passages.
1562 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April}
1569 When you make a half-million or so per script, you can pretty much use any
1574 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe}
1578 climbs atop the podium.
1582 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe}
1589 But when you're like me, you have to stick to format.
1590 Is that what you're trying to say?
1594 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April}
1605 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe}
1609 jumps down from the podium and runs out the door just as conference ATTENDEES
1615 By the way, the first time you introduce a speaker in description, you CAP
1617 And when you break dialogue with description, the standard is to place
1618 "continuing" within parentheses when a speaker chatters on and on.
1622 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April}
1626 watches as a number of people sit down before her.
1631 Of course, many writers have dropped "continuing" from their repertoire.
1632 I mean, it's obvious that I'm still speaking, isn't it? And that I never
1637 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe}
1642 \layout Parenthetical
1644 shouting from beyond the door
1648 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April}
1653 There's a buffet at the hotel and a shuttle leaving in two minutes.
1657 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April}
1662 \layout Parenthetical
1667 We haven't mentioned master scenes.
1671 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe}
1675 enters, then glances about the room as he slowly approaches the podium.
1679 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe}
1687 No CLOSEUPS, no WIDE SHOTS, no shots of any sort.
1688 Just scene headers, description and dialogue.
1689 And no scene numbers.
1690 Those are left to shooting scripts.
1694 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April}
1701 Don't worry, I would never let you miss a meal.
1702 Do you know how to make a script sandwich?
1706 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Joe}
1717 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{April}
1724 You need your script, two sheets of plain manila binding stock, a three
1725 hole punch, and three 1.5 inch brass brads.
1726 No title or name on the binding stock.
1727 When you get it all assembled, you can hammer the brass brads down to make