Is there a right way to write text messages, social comments or emails that are meant to flash on the screen in scripts? What's the ideal format? I see shows like "Younger" and "Emily in Paris" using this device, but unsure how it shows up on the page without stalling the reader (anyone have those scripts available?). I've got a few ideas on how to approach this, but would love to get people's expert opinion. Thanks!
Screenwriting : Texting in Scripts by Andy Lyberopoulos
Texting in Scripts
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Just be consistent on the page - texting, quotes, cut to transitions, whatever. Google "Fruitvale Station" and "Nerve." Both scripts have plenty of texting scenes.
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When I've needed text of any kind, I always use the "ONSCREEN" trick. I used italics once, but I think that's a style preference.
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I did this and it gave the feeling of a text.
CRAIG
(TEXT MESSAGE)
I then put the text in Italics.
It read fine and as most text messages are short it jumped off the page as not being dialogue.
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Andy Lyberopoulos, sometimes I write texts in action lines as:
Her phone gets a text: "How are you?"
She replies: "I'm ok."
I italicize the text messages.
I would do the same for an email.
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Thanks, guys! I appreciate it.
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"without stalling the reader" is the key point. Second point is to question why does the "text" of a text need to be in the scene. I cannot be for a "coolness" factor - that weakens the script like any other unnecessary element. In Emily in Paris (from what I've seen), the texting bubbles offer meaningful character interaction in a way that wouldn't otherwise be possible. So it adds to the story, isn't just a "way it's done today" blip.
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I 100% agree. And that's exactly what my intent is when I do use this form of storytelling. They're purposeful. I appreciate the feedback.