On Scriptnotes, we often explore craft topics, looking at the specific choices writers make on the page. But there’s an obvious challenge when discussing visual storytelling in an audio medium. That’s why for the most recent Scripnotes video, I wanted to revisit my conversation with Christina Hodson on writing action sequences. In this new format, […]
Formatting
Clarifying scene geography
Based on an earlier Three Page Challenge entry — and with the blessing of writer Andrew McDonald — I’ve posted a new video in which I revise a scene in real time. Along the way, I discuss how small choices on the page can help (or hurt) a reader’s ability to understand where characters are […]
Two transitions in a row
Don Donahue writes: > How would you format two transitions in a row? > I’m experimenting with a transition where a drone gets shot down in Alaska. Right now I have… CUT TO STATIC: FADE TO BLIZZARD: > Is this acceptable? Is there a better way to do this? This looks awkward. It feels like […]
How accurate is the page-per-minute rule?
Back in 2006, I answered a reader question about page counts: Every screenwriting book I’ve read, class I took, and basically the first rule I learned says: ONE PAGE OF A PROPERLY FORMATTED SCRIPT = APPROX. A MINUTE OF SCREEN TIME. I know one page of say a battle can last five minutes whereas one […]