TECHNICAL CONVENTIONS
HOW DO YOU PUT THAT IN A SCRIPT?
One of the most confusing techniques is writing a telephone conversation. Though there are no
specific rules per se, here’s a sample scene using a technique that keeps the reader clear on where
everyone is during the conversation while avoiding the repeated use of scene headings:
INT. BAR & GRILL – NIGHT
Joe holds the telephone tightly to his ear, while shutting out the
rowdy Drunks around him. He looks drunk.
JOE
Honey. It’s me.
INT. BEDROOM – SUSAN’S HOME – NIGHT
Susan’s eyes narrow with anger as she switches the receiver from one
ear to the other:
SUSAN
Where are you?
INTERCUT.
JOE
At Mickey’s.
SUSAN
Honey…you’re not drinking again, are you?
JOE
No, sweetheart. I wouldn’t do that.
SUSAN
Good.
JOE
I’m leaving right now.
END INTERCUT.
Susan looks at the LCD clock: “12:20 AM.”
SUSAN
Okay, honey. I’ll wait up. No, no, I insist. Bye.
Susan hangs up the phone, picks up the remote control and FLICKS ON
the TV. Worry washes her pretty face…
Now, if you want to go back to Joe to end this telephone conversation sequence, you use the scene
heading for Joe’s location after Susan is last seen in the sequence and end the scene in the Bar & Grill.
Another technique that seems to confuse new screenwriters it how to write and use POV, which
means point of view. Generally speaking, you use this camera angle when it’s important for the
reader to literally see something through a character’s eyes. Think of it as the camera itself becoming
the character’s head. It’s used like this:
Susan’s POV OF THE TV: The late night host takes in the LOUD applause
and cheers from his audience.
Susan points the remote, TURNS DOWN the sound.
Another commonly used camera angle technique is the INSERT. This is used to show shots of
inanimate objects to the audience. They are called inserts to tell the director and producers that this
shot can be executed at anytime during the shooting schedule. Here’s an example:
Susan opens the drawer of the nightstand.
INSERT: An open pack of cigarettes and chrome snub nose .38 pistol.
BACK TO SCENE as:
Susan takes out the pack of cigarettes and fires up one.
Notice in the insert, Susan’s hand was not used. Her reaching into the drawer was shot on a different
angle. This is so the insert can be shot without the actress being present on the set. It also allows for
the intricate lighting necessary. However, this is one of those conventions that will not be missed in a
spec screenplay, so avoid using it.
Here are two more widely accepted technical conventions to follow:
- All sounds are capitalized in a screenplay, i.e., PHONE RINGS.
- The first time a major character is introduced, the name is CAPITALIZED.
