The rule is very simple: Don’t use italics. This counts for underline, bold or what ever markings used to emphasis a single word.
It is tempting, I know.
You hear the line in your head and it is so important that the reader does too so he/she understand the line properly.
But the fact is that using italics is the same as directing and telling the actor how to say the lines. And that is beyond our jurisdiction.
If you feel that the line cannot be conveyed correctly if the emphasis is removed then rephrase yourself, in dialog and/or action, or simply put faith in the reader and the actor.
4 comments:
Most of my scripts have some problem with the way I write dialog. I just never got around to fixing those problems.
Now I am a little concerned with this as I have a public script reading on June 18th.
My friend Mia wants to direct a movie with my script and I haven't read the script in years. I've misplaced that script and if it wasn't for Mia that story might have been lost forever.
I've decided not to look for my copy and just hear the lines fresh with everyone else.
What will one of first scripts sound like when read by actors?
The script was shot once but never edited because of sound problems by another director. I was never allowed to see this bad sound version.
What an interesting project! Could be really scary though, if you don't have read it yourself for so long time. Doesn't it feel great though that someone picked it up?
You say you have problem with the way you write dialog. What kind of problem is it?
All my characters have the same style of speaking. My concepts are my strong point and my dialog is my weakness in script writing.
I try to write from real life as much as possible to get around this weakness.
Two Jews and a Pagan is the name of my script that is being read.
Jesus, Houdini and Merlin are in God's Waiting Room taking turns talking to the CEO of Heaven.
That's about all I remember of the script.
From your description it could be either a great comedy to a equally great drama.
I hope the reading turns out well. Keep me posted.
What you describe about dialog is very common. I have had the same problem and I don't know if I've succeed fully yet.
Collin Nutley (an England born Sweden living director) don't writes dialog in his scripts, but lets the actors improvise.
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