script abbreviations? - Writers Forum

mikeabnooy · 02-26-2005, 04:21 PM

http://www.oscars.org/nicholl/format_a.txt

i went to the website recommended and have some questions about abbreviations.

what is

int.
ext. <--exit i'm guessing
o.s.

yeah. help please.
working on a my first script for a 5 minute short and i want to post it up here but not until it's in the right format, that way i can't get butchered for that! =] written a couple drafts already but it's just not the right format. drafting again.

mikeabnooy · 02-26-2005, 04:31 PM

i was also hoping someone could suggest how you would include titles into your script. Like you wanted to start off with a quote or something. thanks

lisajane · 02-27-2005, 02:41 AM

Int - Inside

Ext - Outside

O.S. - Off Screen

Ozmandius · 02-27-2005, 10:49 PM

Close, but not quite right, lisajane. It's interior and exterior, not inside and outside.

As for using titles, I believe that you would use insert. For example:

INSERT: "Had his chest been a cannon, he would have shot his hot heart's shell upon it." H. Mellville

Fade Out:

Keep in mind that I'm basing this off of memory from my screenwriting classes, as I've never actually had reason to use this technique myself.

Oz

mikeabnooy · 02-27-2005, 11:55 PM

yeah after inside outside i assumed interior exterior

mammamaia · 02-28-2005, 10:49 AM

...yr right on int/ext of course, oz... but on the titles question, an 'INSERT' would only be used if the object/piece of writing was to be shown in close-up... and, in such a case, you'd have to say what it's written on... such as:

INSERT - SCRAP OF PAPER

"Had his chest been a cannon,
he would have shot his hot heart's
shell upon it. H. Mellville "

BACK TO SCENE

...but, if the poster only wants the quote seen on an otherwise blank screen, it's done like this:

ON BLACK

"Had his chest been a cannon, he would have shot his hot heart's shell upon it. H. Mellville"

...and, if he wants it to be read over a scene, it goes in like this:

SUPER the quote: "Had his chest been a cannon, he would have shot his hot heart's shell upon it. H. Mellville"

...hope this covers what was being asked... if not, give me a bit more detail and i'll give it another shot...

hugs, maia

Ozmandius · 02-28-2005, 10:59 AM

Thanks for the correction Maia. Like I said, having never had to use one of these I was only taking a stab at it and was just too lazy to walk over to the book shelf and look it up.

But I figured that you would catch it if I flubbed.

Oz

mammamaia · 02-28-2005, 11:13 AM

you're never that far off in your 'guesses'... and always there ready to help... one of the truly 'nice guys' on the boards... it's always a pleasure to set you straight, cookie!

hugs, m

mikeabnooy · 02-28-2005, 12:30 PM

always a pleasure to set you straight?

hahahahaa. maia is funny. I sent you an email with my script maia. Did you get it? My email address is samusamu@gmail.com

Ozmandius · 03-01-2005, 08:20 AM

Is there something about profesional courtesy that amuses you?

mikeabnooy · 03-01-2005, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ozmandius

Is there something about profesional courtesy that amuses you?

a pleasure to set you straight. that's not funny? sorry if i found it funny and it irked you. =P

Ozmandius · 03-01-2005, 09:42 AM

This is why I hate kids.

mikeabnooy · 03-01-2005, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ozmandius

This is why I hate kids.

i'm a 22 year old kid and you're the reason us kids never want to grow up!

mammamaia · 03-01-2005, 10:06 AM

hey, even i laughed!... i really had no gender-preference issues in mind with that common expression for 'correcting someone' but i'm still chuckling a bit...

no, i didn't get the script yet, but have replied to your latest email... can't wait to see what you've got in the works... hugs, m

wackeychan · 04-03-2005, 02:26 PM

Angle on- suggest another view of previous shot
C.U. Close up
CONT'D- when a speech is interrupted by a page break, type MORE in parentheses at end of last line on first page, then CONT'D after the characters name on the second page.
O.S.- Off screen
V.O.- Voice over
POV- Point of view, being viewed from characters perspective.
REVERSE POV- If POV alternates between characters in a scene.

theres more but i dont feel like writing a how to manuel.