Italics and dialogue?

[clockwork]

Originally Posted by LIVIN

Yes, I know nobody speaks for everybody, but paragraphs such as the following could lead one to believe that you think you speak for everybody. I bolded stuff for ease of seeing what I mean.

But, if everyone wants to talk about your blog, don't let me stop you...

What are you talking about? Plot's the only one who even mentioned Julie's blog.

[clockwork]

As to the rest, we're really all in agreement here. Format how you will but less is more.

From my experience I agree that formatting is really less of an issue than the how-to books would lead you to believe. The danger in statements like 'nobody cares' (while more than likely very accurate) is that this board deals with a lot of new-comers who may take that phrase and run with it to the detriment of their work. I think tagging that stuff with a "but use sparingly" variant, like we do most of the time, is solid advice.

[maestrowork]

Originally Posted by avid-dreamer

Ok, meeeeeeeeeeeee again!

Ok, If I'm writing a line of dialogue and I want to have my character stress a word is it ok to use Italics?

EXAMPLE:

BOB
Then how do you explain all this?

is it ok to do that?

Thanks people!!

As an actor, I hate seeing italics because it's like having the writer telling me exactly how I should say a line. It's stage direction. Leave us actors do our thing!

As a writer, I know why one would want to do that, but I try not to. I'd rather let the context and dialogue speak for themselves and let the actor and director figure it out.

[clockwork]

I can appreciate that Ray. I do it from time to time because although the script will eventually become interpreted, right now it's just me and the reader. And unlike a novel whereby I can infer more detailed meaning, the tools at a scriptwriter's disposal are sparse to say the least. If an underline helps me convey something I feel would be lacking otherwise, I put it in because that writer/reader experience is all I have to convince someone to buy the script.

But I get why it bugs you and of course, once it's out of my hands, I surrender to the actor's/director's interpretation.

[Julie Gray]

Hey Nikee I gave out an award at the Expo if that's what you mean. It was on the final day of ceremonies. I was the redhead who had completely lost her voice.

I'm not sure if we'll be at the Expo this coming year; we had a lot of fun but last year's attendance was down and I felt the event was ill-organized. We will be sharing a booth with Blake Snyder, The Writer's Store, Final Draft and Script Magazine at the LA Times Book Festival in April though. And also teaching a class at the Great American Pitch Fest in Burbank this coming June.