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I'm working on a script in which various characters will be introduced and/or described by a narrator in the form of a voiceover. When the character first appears, he or she will be in motion. At some point, I want to "freeze frame" the character and allow the narrator to add some commentary before the scene continues. What is the correct way to format this? Thanks!
I think Goodfellas and Casino has some stuff you could use.
In fact, Goodfellas is loaded with freeze frames, so just find the script, do a "find" search of FREEZE and you'll get a list of nice examples.
Quoted Text
Soon the mattress cover stops squirming and TOMMY stops swinging the shovel. He is exhausted. TOMMY and JIMMY get back in the car. HENRY is facing the open trunk.
TILT UP and FREEZE ON HENRY'S face slamming the trunk shut.
HENRY (V.O.) As far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be a gangster.
Quoted Text
FATHER I can't hear you, you little liar. (waving the letter) I got this from the school. They say you haven't been there in months.
HENRY tries to dart past his FATHER, but he cannot escape. HENRY gets a blow on the back of his head. HENRY'S MOTHER starts to interfere, but is pushed back.
FATHER (beating Henry, but glaring at Carmella) Little lying bastard.
CARMELLA screams. HENRY doubles up. HENRY'S FATHER keeps pounding away.
CLOSE ON HENRY'S FACE
FREEZE IN ACTION ON HENRY'S FATHER'S FACE
HENRY (V.O.) My father was always pissed off. He was pissed that he had to work so hard. He was pissed that he made such lousy money. Be was pissed that there were seven of us living in a tiny house. But after a while, he was mostly pissed that I hung around the cabstand. He said they were bums and that I was a bum. He said I was going to get into trouble. I used to say I was only running errands after school, but he knew better. He knew what went on at the cabstand and, every once in a while, usually after he got his load on, I had to take a beating. But by then, I didn't care. No matter how many beatings I took, I wouldn't listen to what he said. I don't think I even heard him. The way I saw it, everybody has to take a beating some time.
This is one of those things for which there isn't a firm rule. The examples given thus far pretty much demonstrate that. This, like much of the screenwriting mecca, relies on clarity more than there being any kind of specific format. As long as someone else can understand what you're going for without having to ask, then you did it.
And a freeze frame is perfectly legit in a spec script. This is a visual medium, and pulling a visual deal like that is completely fine. You'll just have to be careful not to pull your audience out of the story by doing it though.
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Freeze Frame (correct use of)
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