Screenplay formatting rules on describing the SHOT

I imagine it would be something similar to the beginning of the movie Scream (1996):

FADE IN:

ON A RINGING TELEPHONE

A hand reaches for it...


I honestly haven't a clue about mid-scene. I guess it'd be okay provided the shot is important to the narrative. Anyone else?

Yeah, the general rule is "Don't".

Don't do camera moves, frames or actions. Not in a spec script at any rate. It's not the screenwriter's job - it's the Director and DP who make those decisions.

Camera moves are considered passe' and intrusive in today's market.

FADE IN and FADE OUT are still used to begin and end scripts. "CUT TO" is generally out of practice, since it's a 'given'. Unless you want DISSOLVE which indicates a passage of time between scenes.

Avoid ZOOM, CLOSE UP, DOLLY, PAN TO, and yes, even "ANGLE ON" if you possibly can. Instead, utilize your writing to suggest the shot.

____

Bob stands at the door, and scans the entire gym in a glance. They're all there, his classmates.

SUZY the head cheerleader, dances with TOM the captain of the football team.

DAVID the geek, stands near the punch bowl, arguing Star Wars with his buddy TODD.

Bob reaches into his pocket and pulls out the packet. It reads "RIBBED FOR HER PLEASURE". He smiles to himself, slips it into his wallet and moves into the gym.

__________


There are no camera angles in that shot. We can tell there's a wide shot to open. Probably two shots with the dancing couple. The Geeks by the punch bowl. Back on Bob, We'll need a close up on the condom. All of that is SUGGESTED by the descriptions. There's no PAN TO, no WE SEE, no EXTREME CLOSEUP.


Occasionally, they'll be needed. INSERT MONITOR or SCREEN when perhaps something is happening on a monitor. But honestly, if you think about it, you can usually avoid taking the reader out of the experience of 'seeing' the movie in the mind's eye. You don't want them to stop and think "Oh no... never zoom... use a dolly instead..."

That's my approach anyway.

helloCharlie said:

What are the general rules for describing the SHOT. Looking around, I find that most screenwriters, or at least from I managed to find, describe the shot at the beginning of each scene. However, would it be a cardinal sin to describing a shot mid-scene.

For example, during a scene:
CHARACTER 1
(dialog)
ZOOM IN character is softly smiling

If were to do something like this, would I be deviating away from the standard format?

Also, is there anything wrong with describing a SHOT like this:

FADE IN:

ZOOM IN object on counter

Lastly, would it be:

FADE IN object

or

FADE IN:

object

Click to expand...

Which screenplays have you been reading.

Here's a link to one of my favourites: Get Shorty

http://www.screenplays-online.de/screenplay/30

Not a SHOT in sight (if I'm remembering correctly).

Writenight is right. In a spec script, avoid as much direction as possible. None is better than some. But you can get away with a little, if necessary--a couple of WE SEE's or a PULL BACK TO REVEAL, but only if there's no other way around it. The same with wrylies--only if they're absolutely necessary.