Using commas in slug lines, double dashes too

sekime · Jan 5, 2013

In the script Seven, the slug lines have commas.
For example:

EXT. APARTMENT BUILDING, ALLEYWAY -- EARLY MORNING
INT. APARTMENT, KITCHEN -- DAY

Are these perfectly acceptable?

I'd very different things about how they should be dashes or slashes.

EXT. APARTMENT BUILDING - ALLEYWAY -- EARLY MORNING
INT. APARTMENT - KITCHEN -- DAY
or
EXT. APARTMENT BUILDING/ALLEYWAY -- EARLY MORNING
INT. APARTMENT/KITCHEN -- DAY

Please explain.

Additional question:

Why the double dash? I've seen scripts with a double dash, and some without the double dash.

I've seen scripts with these variations. I'm assuming the first two are fine (but don't understand the double dash) and the third is incorrect.

INT. OLD HOUSE -- DAY
or
INT. OLD HOUSE - DAY
or
INT. OLD HOUSE-DAY

Please explain.

sharpyetblunt · Jan 6, 2013

For your first question i think its just personal preference. I mean as long as it makes sense when you read it no one cares.

Melville · Jan 6, 2013

sekime said:
In the script Seven, the slug lines have commas.
For example:

EXT. APARTMENT BUILDING, ALLEYWAY -- EARLY MORNING
INT. APARTMENT, KITCHEN -- DAY

Are these perfectly acceptable?

I'd very different things about how they should be dashes or slashes.

EXT. APARTMENT BUILDING - ALLEYWAY -- EARLY MORNING
INT. APARTMENT - KITCHEN -- DAY
or
EXT. APARTMENT BUILDING/ALLEYWAY -- EARLY MORNING
INT. APARTMENT/KITCHEN -- DAY

Please explain.

Additional question:

Why the double dash? I've seen scripts with a double dash, and some without the double dash.

I've seen scripts with these variations. I'm assuming the first two are fine (but don't understand the double dash) and the third is incorrect.

INT. OLD HOUSE -- DAY
or
INT. OLD HOUSE - DAY
or
INT. OLD HOUSE-DAY

Please explain.

There's really nothing to explain: pros have their own way of doing things. Maybe they learned to do it that way, or maybe they decided it's the most clear, or they like the way it looks, or they came from a ProdCo that has an in-house style. Generally, though, the slug line style is consistent throughout and after a few pages, it becomes invisible.

When you are just starting out, however, you don't want to mimic a pro script in terms of format -- it's best to follow a guide, like Trottier's Screenwriter's Bible.

Interrobang · Jan 22, 2013

I think the double-dash was originally a way of creating an em-line (a long dash) on a keyboard that only had a hyphen mark on it. It seems to be a throw-back to the day of the typewriter that's been adopted as a 'style' by some.

Personally I'd separate each element of the slug line with a full-stop and leave it at that.

Using commas in slug lines, double dashes too

sekime

Writing and learning

sharpyetblunt

Melville

Reader first, writer second

Interrobang