I’m writing something at the moment which, while it is mostly live action, has scenes of animation featuring the main cast which are also occasionally intercut with live action scenes. How would you format this?
— Nic
Essex, England
When you have entire scenes that are animated, you can handle it in the slugline.
EXT. MARTIN’S HOUSE – DAY [ANIMATED]
A big, cheerful Kellogg’s sun rises behind the house. Bluebirds flutter from the trees, TWEETING a delightful melody.
If animated characters cross into the real world à la Roger Rabbit, you’ll want to consistently label them as such.
INT. LIVING ROOM – DAY
Martin opens the front door to find Karen sweaty and half-dressed on the couch. Only when she sits back do we see she’s on top of Animated Martin, who is similarly disheveled.
A long beat.
MARTIN
So the ink on the sheets..?
KAREN
The kids weren’t coloring, no.
Your goal should always be clarity. You want the reader to follow what you’re doing without dragging down the storytelling.