Hello fellow writers. I am currently writing a found footage feature and I was wondering if anyone in here has any tips/tricks. I know it has been a little bit of a learning curve for me because I am used to writing regular narrative films but since I need to use 'shots' to describe how we are viewing a scene it has been very different then what I am used to.
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You actually, for the most part, DON'T need to use shots. I've written a few found footage projects now. For the most part, it's written the exact same as a typical script. Only time you really need to reference the camera work itself is:
1) if we're seeing it from multiple types of cameras (the main video camera, other people's cell phones, security cameras, etc).
2) if a funky camera move is going to happen... like someone drops the camera and it lands upside down... or switching to nightvision. Something like that.
One "tip" I have, which I learned from reading other found footage scripts, is that you can use transitions more frequently than you normally would. For instance, using CUT TO: if the camera is meant to be turned off and turned on again in the same location with a small time jump... like in the party sequence in CHRONICLE when they're filming at the party but keep turning off the camera and turning it back on throughout. This makes a smoother read than having a new, identical slug over and over.
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Hi, Kerry Cecil. I just found this article: https://foundtv.com/found-blog/b/how-to-write-a-found-footage-script-par...
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Travis Seppala thanks for the advice.
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Maurice Vaughan yes I actually found that and read it before beginning this format of film. The whole website is very helpful.
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I found this Youtube video to be very helpful as well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVRFNbQL1FI