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EXPO DVD: A Structure Checklist: How to Plug the Holes in Your Script

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Each transitional instruction, such as “DISSOLVE TO:”, should appear at its own margin.  The standard indention is 6.0 inches from the left edge of the page.  In other words, the transition would begin 2.5 inches from the right edge (on paper 8.5 inches wide).  It’s also acceptable for a transition to be right justified at the right margin:


DISSOLVE TO:
 

 

 

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The only transition that begins at the left action margin is "FADE IN:"

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Use of the transitional instruction “CUT TO:” is superfluous.  Unless otherwise specified, all transitions are cuts.

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There is no such thing as a “SMASH CUT.”  A cut is a cut.  Whether it “smashes” the viewer in the face depends upon what sort of image is in the new scene.

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Every transitional instruction must end with a colon.  The exception is “FADE OUT.” which ends in a period.

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“FADE TO BLACK.” is an archaic term dating from live television.  The correct cinematic term is “FADE OUT.”

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The use of “FADE OUT.” in conjunction with “FADE IN:” can be combined as “FADE TO:”, a single instruction that takes up less space.

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Copyright © 2008 by Michael Ray Brown.  All rights reserved.
Last modified: August 12, 2011