Hey everyone, I'm having an issue with formatting my main characters cell phone footage POV shots.
I was doing the traditional:
CELL PHONE POV - REBECCA/BATHROOM
ON REBECCA
REBECCA
I'm here in the third floor girl's restroom at John T. Noble Highschool outside of Point Pleasant West Virginia. A so-called hot bed of paranormal activity.
She switches the camera to the front and pans around the room.
REBECCA(O.C.)
The building was finally closed down a couple years ago to make way for a brand new school a couple miles down the road.
Now, the first couple minutes is her filming her opening footage of her show. Where it goes back and forth from talking to the camera and filming her environment.
The more I research on formatting these shots the more I read that this is the novice way of doing this and I should describe what she is doing more and the audience will understand what she is doing with the camera.
Does anyone have any advice on this subject matter that they could please share?
Thanks
Paul
I would say that consistency is key. As long as you make everything clear and stick to one way of making the action happen in the script, I think most readers can handle something slightly off the normal formatting. You might try writing the scenes several ways to see what feels best to you with formatting, without formatting, possible other ways. You can always include a brief writer's note at the beginning of the script (or cover page) to explain the issue, so when readers get to that part, they are ready for it.
Here is how I would write it.
INT. GIRLS LAVATORY - DAY
Rebecca pulls out her cell phone.
REBECCA
I'm here in the third floor girl's restroom at John T. Noble High School outside of Point Pleasant, West Virginia. A so-called hot bed of paranormal activity.
She switches the camera to the front.
CAMERA LENS P.O.V.
As she pans around the room.
REBECCA (O.C.) (CONT'D)
The building was finally closed down a couple of years ago to make way for a brand-new school a couple miles down the road.
Rebecca continues to film.
NOTE: I am sure you going to show her filming the bathroom for a couple of minutes, so you don't need to say that. Only write what we see on film as it is happening.
I would call out in sluglines any time we see her selfie pov or the regular cellphone POV so it’s clear what the audience will be seeing.
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Hey everybody the Stall screenplay got selected for its first film Festival!! Austin After Dark. Thanks for the advice!!
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Congrats! As long as it is clear to the reader what you mean then it is ok.
Well, I didn't place but "The Stall" was a Finalist in one of the categories. One more step in the right direction!!!!