sluglines

Opinions may vary

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Wanted to try something a little different today.

While there are standards for formatting in scripts, there are a few topics that seem to cause more debate than expected.

Such as:

-sluglines. Bold or not?

-Spaces after a period. One or two?

EDIT: -Since this initially posted, a few writers chimed in with using FADE IN and FADE OUT. I might have used FADE IN when I first started, but soon stopped. As for FADE OUT, I favor FADE TO BLACK or maybe SMASH BLACK. Something to put that note of finality on it.

I’m sure there are others, but these two came immediately to mind.

For the record, I think bold sluglines look better on the page, and have always preferred one space after a period (although somebody in a recent conversation said “it has to be two”).

I thought about “two brads or three?”, but don’t think that’s much of an issue anymore. Can’t even remember the last time I read a printed script that wasn’t mine.

I’m sure more experienced writers – especially those who’ve been produced – will say none of it matters. Probably, but I think it’s still an interesting discussion.

What’s your position on these topics, and are there others that seem to have two distinct schools of thought?

Cole Porter had it right*

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Way back when I was first starting out and learning the basics of writing a script, one of the initial lessons was all about what went into a slugline.

I was told the following:

INT. or EXT. LOCATION – DAY or NIGHT

And that’s it. Pretty straightforward. While the first two are pretty much set in stone, some writers opt to modify the last one a bit. “AFTERNOON” or “EVENING”. Seems alright.

Some, myself included, take it one step further – “LATER” or “MOMENTS LATER”. I’ve encountered a few writers who have issue with these. “How MUCH later?” “How many moments?” Understandable.

All that being said, lately I’ve seen more than a few scripts that have a mix of the standards as listed above, along with an assortment of the totally unexpected. Such as “20 MINUTES LATER” or “SAME”.

Oh, come on. Really?

I’m sure these writers have their reasons for doing this, but to me it says “Rules be damned! I’m doing it my way! No matter how wrong it looks!” Maybe they’re planning on filming it themselves? Even if that’s the case, wouldn’t you want the script to look as professional as possible?

To me, this is just wrong.

I don’t see how they think this can possibly work. If you want to intentionally show the passage of time, then it needs to be SHOWN within the context of the scene. A clock face, Xs on a calendar, a cavalcade of holiday decorations.

The way I understand it, the slugline is all about WHERE and WHEN a scene takes place. It involves setting the scene as part of telling the story, along with what the production crew needs to help show it. I don’t believe the WHEN has to be that specific. But again, it’s all about showing.

I’m very intrigued to see if other writers have seen this, and your thoughts about it. Yes? No? It’s their script, so they can do what they want?

*If you actually understand this, I suspect you’re of a certain age, or at least appreciate certain types of music.