Screenwriting : (MORE) / (CONT'D) or not... by Tony McFadden

Tony McFadden

(MORE) / (CONT'D) or not...

Oh, I know absolutely I'm opening a can of worms here. I have dialog split between pages. I have been told to use (MORE) followed by CHARACTER (CONT'D) on the next page. I have been told to use (MORE) followed by (CONT'D) on the next page I have been told just to use (MORE) with the (CONT'D) implied And I have been told ot to worry about the (MORE) / (CONT'D) tags at all. I have seen all variations in screenplays I've read and I'm leaning toward the first example, but would like to hear from others on this. Many thanks.

Tony McFadden

The pages changing doesn't bother me since Final Draft inserts them automatically...

Cherie Grant

i just use character CON'T.

Jan Evans

I use MORE and CON'T. I used to change the settings in Final Draft to take them out, but I leave them now. It must be the default in Final Draft. I've never heard from readers/development people that it makes much difference to them, either way.

Shelley Stuart

I leave it in, and fuss over what's before and after MORE and CONT instead.

Tony McFadden

Or, with a little clever editing, I can avoid dialog splits all together... Thanks for the feedback, guys. I've revised/updated the screenplay here: http://www.stage32.com/profile/28311/scripts_screenplays

Laurie Ashbourne

You don't need mores at all -- if there is another page there is clearly more. Cont'd at top of next page is fine if the dialogue is truly a continuing thought, but it's not a MUST. I see a lot of writers not even put the character name at the top of the next page this is a MUST. More's and cont'd clutter the page 'more' than they help 'continue' engagement.

Tony McFadden

I'm discussing dialog splitting over a page. Action in the middle of dialog is easily handled.

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