Screenwriting : Scene Direction by John Serafinko

Basically, no.

All scripts regardless of genre are told with pictures.

Read tons of scripts.

Read Lights Out, Get Out, IT, Saw. They are written in plain simple English.

A lot of people don't like it, but you can always put it. And, certainly it depends on what you're looking to do with it? Get it financed and make it yourself or sell it? The former you can put it in, the latter they will frown upon it, but I don't think it's a deal-breaker. I've had paid rewrite assignments, where I do it, although they know I am also a director. Bottom Line: There are sort of two schools of thought on this. The first is just don't do it, unless you are directing and the second is mine - If your script is well-written, tight and compelling, you may get scolded or a slap on the wrist, but it wouldn't stop them from buying it. Make sure it's well-written, compelling, tight and no grammatical errors. The rest will follow. ;)

Hi, John. It's not about "exceptions" but rather about clarity. Never confuse. If a detail is important to the story, moves it forward, then it is relevant. Or perhaps there is some story element that needs a little camera direction, a hint, just to clarify—for example, an unseen force or a hidden monster's POV, etc. Style, tone, and mood are very important as well. But give just enough succinct information to clearly paint a vivid picture in the mind of your reader and let their imagination fill in the rest. You are evoking on the page; describing what could be, not what should. You are hinting, suggesting, leaving clues—not "directing." Plus keep in mind, with a spec script, you are the filmmaker until someone else shows up. LOL! It's your 'calling card'. So... first thing's first, you gotta focus on your well-crafted story and your reader—wow one person at a time. Incite interest. Personally, I don't even think about nor worry about imaginary, draconian directors. However, do write in a professional manner. Show you know how to execute well on the page. ;)

Looking ahead... If say, a director and/or producer does indeed get involved, etc, those people will make changes as they see fit, add their vision, as it develops from paper to the screen—comes to fruition. A screenplay is a flexible document until the final shooting draft. Lol!

Oh, I also suggest reading tons of scripts, certainly other horror scripts. See how others handled things on the page. A quick Google search brings up all kinds of options. ;) Good luck and happy writing!

You can include direction/details in ANY script. Use brevity.

Can you give us a short paragraph that shows what you mean?

You can, if its done sparingly, like once, or if its needed to move the scene forward with a minimal use of visual instruction. The CAMERA PANS...

Thanks for all of your input. It is much appreciated

I would suggest W Keith, that "the CAMERA PANS..." is usually a poor visual instruction. A writer has so many ways to show something visually without using camera moves.

The director/cinematographer decides how the camera should move. The screenwriter describes what is seen.

Hence the suggestion, sparingly, once, or not at all... but no one is going to jump down your throat if you use it.

I typically try to avoid camera directions as that's beyond my scope as screenwriter (unless I am also directing) I also try to limit the use of "We See" or "We Hear" or "We move to" if possible however if it's a choice between "Camera Pans" and "We see" I would choose the latter. I also use "CU" or "INSERT" for items that need specific focus but that should be sparingly as well.

Example:

CU: The timer on the bomb counts down 10 seconds, 9, 8...

vs.

On the bomb the timer continues to count down 10, 9, 8...

We each have our style. I feel using camera direction even once is not a creative way to write visual instruction. Chad, I like your second example better than the use of CU. As a reader and a writer I prefer scripts that allow me to visualize rather than being told. It's great to hear what other writers do.

Seriously, If I want to hint at the shot, I just use the words "A shot of..." and go from there. Tempo and pace are of more importance to me in a scene, so I try not to bogged down a scene with a description that slows down the flow. bad example in my first post...

W Keith, just to share my objective way or personal barometer (I certainly try to be objective, lol!) to determine if I may need to add or lean a bit harder on the use of a technical term or camera direction in a spec is clarity. Period. If I can write it clearly in some other simple, visual way, then I do. If for some reason, what I am trying to convey is potentially confusing and the most, clear simple choice is, say, "we see" then I will use it and move on because it's perfectly fine to use it. I am certainly not suggesting anyone misuse or overuse anything — which is never a good thing. Too much of a powerful spice ruins the pot, right? So using my barometer in regarding your general use of "A shot of," it seems unnecessary and excessive, especially if tempo and pace are important to you. "A shot of" actually bogs down the read. Read any well-written action sequence. Much less is much much more. Plus a line of description or action itself is what is seen, is the implied shot, the hint. Therefore the phrase "A shot of" itself does not imply its necessity for clarity. Sure, this could be a style choice, but because there are other, obvious, simple options its use may unintentionally be perceived by your reader as a misuse or overwriting. And I am in no way referring to the mantra 'no camera directions in a spec script' nor the feelings of an imaginary director. No. I'm only considering this in terms of effective writing. ;) Hope that helps!

Trottier’s screen bible gives a good explanation of how to get screen direction into a script without actually using it. (Through proper action descriptive) I.e “john sees the murder” is really “johns POV”

I try to stick to actions rather than camera directions. But horror is all about that so it's a mixed bag.

I just use as few words as possible and I don't use camera directions. If I writing something other than a spec I just do whatever I feel like at the time.