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Messages posted since 02/23/2013
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Topic: Too many scene headings...

Author: T.J. Alex Posted: 06/18/12 10:48 AM

Not sure who told you intercuts are ONLY for phone conversation, but they are wrong. That is just how they are most often used.

However, after you establish two locations with master scene headings, you can use subheadings to jump between locations. Check out this page that shows an example of subheadings used to show continuous action. The example you are looking for is towards the bottom of the page:

http://scripttoolbox.com/subheadings/continuous.html

Also, here is an intercut sequence (but it is a phone conversation):

http://scripttoolbox.com/special/intercut.html

Topic: The Usual Suspects 2 - London - Revision 12.0

Author: T.J. Alex Posted: 06/18/12 10:49 AM

Do you own the intellectual rights to the original Usual Suspects? If not, why are you writing the sequel?

Topic: FREE Screenplay Formatting Website

Author: T.J. Alex Posted: 06/18/12 10:52 AM

It has taken me about 6 months, but I am nearly finished with my new website that outlines screenplay formatting. Pretty much EVERYTHING is covered here.

Check out:

http://scripttoolbox.com/

Let me know what you think. If you like what you see, be sure and spread the word about the website, share it with your friends on Facebook, etc.

Topic: Double or Single

Author: T.J. Alex Posted: 06/18/12 11:14 AM

Check out my website:

http://scripttoolbox.com/

It'll explain how spacing should work.

Topic: FREE Screenplay Formatting Website

Author: T.J. Alex Posted: 06/18/12 11:51 PM

Thanks for the comments, guys! Yeah, I need some better endorsements, but the site is brand new. Obviously I still have a few links to work on and pages to write. But pass the website around to people you know and hopefully I'll eventually get a high-profile name on that right column.

Topic: FREE Screenplay Formatting Website

Author: T.J. Alex Posted: 06/19/12 09:23 AM

Don't worry. Your comments will be seen on the site soon enough. But can I use full names? Can I mention the name of the contest you won?

Topic: Too many scene headings...

Author: T.J. Alex Posted: 06/19/12 09:54 AM

David Trottier is a great source, but most script gurus, when trying to show an example of an intercut, will default to showing it used in a telephone conversation because that it where they are usually found. But Intercuts may be used in a variety of scenes.

Topic: FREE Screenplay Formatting Website

Author: T.J. Alex Posted: 06/19/12 05:58 PM

Thanks for the great comments, guys! Simplicity was the goal when I created the website. I decided to create the website after years of thumbing through my 5-6 books on screenplay formatting everytime I needed to learn how to do something. I personally believe my website is the single most thorough guide to screenwriting ever written, whether online or in book form, as well as the easiest to navigate. And I plan to keep it free of charge and free of pesky advertisements. I set out to create a site that looked as bland in the browser as a screenplay looks on a page. Adding the facebook and other share stuff at the bottom was something I really had to consider before I finally decided to add it. I'll be working on adding other comments and doing some updates soon. Try to tell all your friends, and help me spread the word.

Topic: Release forms

Author: T.J. Alex Posted: 06/19/12 10:14 PM

Personally, I'd have an attorney look at it, but that is just me.

Topic: Dialogue: MOREs and CONT'Ds

Author: T.J. Alex Posted: 06/30/12 01:08 PM

You shouldn't be purposely rewriting dialogue for the sole purpose of avoiding MOREs and (CONT'D)s. After all, that is the one situation where (CONT'D)s are still expected.

But I gotta agree with Blacka: if MOREs are adding significantly to your page count, then it sounds like your script may be a bit Dialogue heavy and your Dialogue blocks a bit lengthy, which means your Dialogue needs rewriting for other reasons.

Often the answer to needing to add or subtract pages is going back to your outline and reworking the story a little. It is possible your pacing is off.

Topic: Scene headings and slugs, bolded and underscored

Author: T.J. Alex Posted: 07/12/12 06:59 PM

Underlining sluglines is a growing trend, and usually used among working screenwriters...the key word there being WORKING. It isn't suggested for a new writer writing a spec script.

I have a friend who isn't a working writer, but he is good enough that he has an agent, and his agent lets him underline the slugs. But in that case it is the agent's call.

I don't like it personally. First, I think underlining special situations such as montages and flashbacks, etc. are potentially good ideas to make sure they stand out. But if you are underlining EVERY scene heading, they'll look like every other heading in the script.

If you are sending out a script with underlined headings, there is a good chance it wouldn't get tossed in the trash by any readers...but it might.

As far as bolding goes, trelby's software actually defaults to bolded scene headings (trelby.org, btw), which I find interesting. I have less a problem with this, but always advise new writers not to get too cocky. Just stick to the basics.

Topic: Screenplay Formatting Guide

Author: T.J. Alex Posted: 08/07/12 05:09 PM

My new Screenplay Formatting book, Your CUT TO: Is Showing is finished and available for purchase on Amazon.com. You can find it here: http://www.amazon.com/dp/1478173866

I hope you guys like it!

Topic: Okay, boy and girls, this one's got me baffled

Author: T.J. Alex Posted: 08/13/12 04:36 PM

I recently edited a screenplay that was also a lot like Avatar ... in that is was more than 150 pages. I wouldn't worry about it. You can't please everybody. There's nothing new under the sun, and what Hollywood really wants is to rehash what has worked in past. Sounds like you need to be shopping it around to potential buyers.