I just had to change 18 pages of sluglines.
The time of day was "DUCK." I should just say DAY but crap, there is a damn good reason its around DUCK.
Anyway.
What do you all think about this method?
You only change the part of the slugline that has changed.
If the next scene is still in the DAY you just don't mention it again.
If you change rooms you don't change the EXT/INT.
This is supposed to make for a more "vertical" script which I understand to mean "reader friendly."
This is from UCLA Prof
Richard Walter.
The professor is absolutely right. Once established they don't "need" to be there. If it's DAY it will most likely stay DAY until the reader is told it's NIGHT.
(Of course, if the script is in production then all the slugs go back in because at that point it's not about ease of read it's about ease of production.)
So, sure, you could make the argument that this little trick makes for a much smoother read.
Of course, it could also get your script tossed in the can by one of the gatekeepers.
The problem with this technique has nothing to do with the technique. Has to do with the "reader". The "reader" is anyone with the power to pass your script up to the next in the line of power. Script Reader, Assistant, Jr. Executive, Producer, Executive, Director, Actor...the line can get pretty long. The goal is to get to the guy or gal with the power to write a check.
These readers have a stack of scripts just waiting to be read. And it's not unlike American Idol. Most singers suck. Most writers suck. These readers are tired and grumpy and they've read stacks of crap when yours comes along. And another ten to read after yours. So, they're looking for any excuse to toss you in the trash.
If a "reader" gets bored or if the script is too dense many times they'll just trash it. And although there are no rules there certainly are patterns. The more you break those patterns the better your chances of ending up trashed.
You don't have an inciting incident by page 10-15...trashed.
You don't have an act break at 30-35...trashed.
You don't make your lead a likable character...trashed.
If your formatting is different or unfamiliar...trashed.
Not always but it happens. I've seen it happen.
Therefore the very technique being used to make it easier on the reader could be the technique that gets you discarded.
Thus, I'd say if you're an established screenwriter or if you've already got the job and you want to drop your DAY/NIGHT slugs after establishing the position of the sun...then knock yourself out. You might help start a trend.
But if you are trying to get your foot in the door I'd stick with the standard formatting.
The thing is, you want your writing to stand out. Not your formatting. You want your formatting to be invisible to the reader.
That's my opinion anyway.
Thanks.
Some questions about the terms.
I am reading "inciting incident" as being similar to Campbell's "Call to Adventure." Step 2 on the Heroes journey.
and
Is the "Act Break" by page 30 the last scene of act one? Like Luke in Star Wars watching his family home burning. The moment when he has nothing to go back to and "Accepts the Call"
I read the term "Act Break" in general as being the transition between any act to the next.
Inciting..., call to..., they're the same. The name doesn't really matter since most "readers" don't know what it's called anyway. But they will notice when it's not there. Or if it shows up late.
What is it?
Simple. It's the moment that starts the movie.
Yeah, the Act Break is the end of any Act in a script or movie. Most teachers are teaching three act structures. 1-30 is act one. 31-90 is act two. And 91 to the end is Act three.
However, if you take a close look, most movies are four act structures. Breaking that long 60 page act two in half. They don't call them four act structures. They still call them three. Dunno why. Most likely because the execs/producers might get confused.
What you end up with is...
Page 1 - 30...first act.
Page 31 - 90...second act.
Page 60...Mid-Act Break
Page 91 to end...third act. although they have the Mid-Act Break on page 60.
And the act break is the moment that spins the movie into a different dirctions. Yes, Luke refuses to go with Ben. He finds Uncle and Aunt dead and agrees to go. Suddenly the story is spun in a different direction.
The rules are broken all the time. Independance Day has a 45 page (45 min.) first act. But consider that Roland and Dean were coming off of Universal Soldier and Stargate.