http://gointothestory.blcklst.com/2014/01/so-called-screenwriting-rules-part-7.html

It won't be, but the article above should pretty much be the definitive word on the subject.

People can believe the rules that were taught in some class or read in some book.

Or they can refer to people who actually, you know, make movies.

Scott, who runs the blog which is now the official black list blog, does his homework. He's studied it a long time and has studied scripts back to the silent picture era. Most importantly, he goes right to the people who make movies for what they think.

As one director said, asides help establish the tone of a movie...and yes, that IS filmable.

Asides are in virtually every pro script...perhaps every pro script.

Now, choose what side you want to be on. Choose rationally and without emotion.

On one side, people who've been nowhere near the inside of a major movie production. Or even an indie in most cases. I don't mean that to be offensive...it's merely descriptive.

Or choose to be in the room with people who make movies and writers who write scripts that become movies.

If one chooses the first, that's fine. If the purpose of writing a script is to get it filmed, I have no idea why one would make that choice, but each has to find his own path.

There is, unfortunately, one reason for heeding those that follow the strict path. That is the studio reader. He's a fellow who often has been taught those same rules. And you may have to get by him. Once you do, no one cares about asides.

Why has this rule evolved? Because wise rules of thumb are often codified into rules into order to teach. So yes, it's because college classes and gurus NEED rules...simple rules that can be taught.

Also having these rules gives us a comfort zone. It's comforting to think we have a grip on some part of this difficult creative process. Rules give us that.

Here's an example in the blog article: CLOSE on Tom, looking at Summer the way every woman wants to be looked at�.

For the rules people, that's a violation. For a director, that's gold...and it DOES go into the shot.

The rules guys write it like this: Tom looks at Summer.

Or if you have a daring rules guy: Tom looks long and hard at summer.

See what happens when you kill yourself trying to conform to these rules? You end up with flat, dull scripts.

And you don't see ANY pro scripts written like this!

Obviously not all pro-scripts are well written...but are people really thinking none of them are?

Back to asides: no one is suggesting fill your script with them. There's a reason it's a good rule of thumb to avoid things that can't be filmed.

But the aside does serve a purpose...and it is an essential tool. It helps establish things like tone and narrative voice. It can help the reader imagine the film.

Here's a baseball analogy. In many organizations, plate discipline is something they want as a philosophy. So in single A ball, the players are taught to always take the first pitch.

But obviously at some point it's useful to swing at the thing once in a while.

And if you want to hit a few more home runs and improve your average, you'll pick and choose your moments...to swing at the first pitch. Breaking the rule.

Tom looks at Summer the way every woman wants to be looked at.

Is that really an aside or an unfilmable? I think it describes the way he's looking at her, which would be correct given the circumstance. It doesn't seem like either to me.

Haven't read the blog, but I'll check it out.

Steve

It is an aside because you can't technically film "the way every woman wants to be looked at".

That's kind of the thin line when it comes to unfilmables and asides. Asides, as you just said above, can technically be filmed. The actress could carry that swagger where you can see that kind of reaction. But, every now and then, you'll see something like, "Jake, still distraught since his father died two years ago." The first part (distraught) can be filmed. The second part can't. I suppose it's about how much faith you have in the actors...

Quoted from KevinL It is an aside because you can't technically film "the way every woman wants to be looked at".

Perhaps not. But you've a good idea what it looks like. And you're not alone.

R

Like the filthy slut she really is?

Doesn't always work.

Quoted from DustinBowcot Doesn't always work.

No, it doesn't always work...in fact, it rarely works and there in lies the problem.

Most amateur writers are "very amateur" and they do not possess the writing skill to carry this through.

Most amateur writers trying to find this voice, fail miserably because they try and emulate what a Pro does, but tehy don't understand the subtle differences, nor do they understand why asides and unfilmables in general are so wrong or so irritating.

Kevin, you continue to try and drum this into everyones' brain, but I always have to laugh because you then throw in something about how a "rules person" wold write the same line and you do it in the blandest, most pitiful way possible, which is why your examples irk me over and over.

Funnier here is your actual quote - is it an aside?  Is it an unfilmable?  Is it good writing, period?  Each will have their own feelings on this.

Do "all women" really want to be looked at however this guy is looking at her?  I highly doubt it.  What about lesbians?  Do they want to be looked at like this?  What about old ladies who have been happily married for 50 years?  How about a Newlywed on her Honeymoon in Maui - does she really want some fat perverted local looking at her like this?

You get me?

I agree with you... the asides should come naturally. It should never be forced. Upon saying that, even when not forced there will be those who just won't get you, you get me?

I started with tons of unfilmables, then leaned out to bare bones, now I'm back to unfilmables and I don't give a rats tush what anyone says about it. IMO it creates better atmosphere, adds depth to characters and also makes for a more enjoyable read.

Quoted from mmmarnie I started with tons of unfilmables, then leaned out to bare bones, now I'm back to unfilmables and I don't give a rats tush what anyone says about it. IMO it creates better atmosphere, adds depth to characters and also makes for a more enjoyable read.

That's exactly how it's worked out for me.

Can't say I've perfected it but I do want to make my writing a little more colourful, enjoyable and descriptive. And like your Marnie I couldn't give a toss what people think if I feel it helps.

Yes, Jeff, and always worth doing battle with you. Gives us a break from whatever else.

And you really illustrated my point perfectly!

Trying to put a literal interpretation on "the way every girl wants to be looked at" misses the point. Of course not "every" girls wants to be looked at that way. But most do, and that expression sums it up perfectly.

It wasn't me that chose that example. That's the example used in the article. I do think it's a good one.

Whether something is or isn't good writing will always be subjective to a degree. What is not subjective is when one applies some rule that takes such writing out of the writer's tool belt. If you criticize that phrasing in the example above because you don't like it, I won't object. But if you cite it for some kind of rule violation...and you aren't the only one that does this...yes, I object.

You are correct that most amateurs cannot carry off an aside properly. But that's not what we're talking about. Brand new amateurs generally don't carry off anything very well.

I'm talking taking a well written script, whether pro or accomplished amateur, and trashing the writing because of these rules...rules which don't exist.

How would you write the example above with woman Summer?

Haha...Kevin must be bored today, prying open this old can of succotash.

You know what, Kev?  I have decided that those who read the right scripts from the right places will eventually "get" this -- and get the difference between right and wrong.

Those that do not, they never will.  You will change no minds here.

That's my contribution, anyway.  You want to improve, read good scripts.  Bert out.  Been here and done this dozens of times.

Quoted from DustinBowcot I agree with you... the asides should come naturally. It should never be forced. Upon saying that, even when not forced there will be those who just won't get you, you get me?

Strangely, I do get you.  

To Marnie, Reef, and Kev, I get you too, but definitely don't agree with you, and I think I can easily point out why in your quotes, without even quoting you.

You both said you've gone both ways and now feel that using asides and unfilmables makes your writing more colorful.  OK, I get you there.  But, why is it that the only way to make your wirting more colorful or stand out is to by using asides and unfilmables?

I just ran some errands and I couldn't stop thinking about Kevin's example and how wrong it really is.  Check this out...

First of all, do men really know how all women want to be looked at?  No...definitely not. If they did, we'd be landing any and all babes whenever we wanted to.  And, really, what is that look that all women want?  I honestly can't picture it without laughing. Is it adoringly?  Lovingly?  Sexually?  Caring?  Knowing?  Wanting?  What is this description really describing?

We'll all write how we choose and Kevin will continue to say not to let yourself get pinned down by strict rules, but I'll counter and say, please don't go out of your way to use asides and unfilmables because 90+% of the tiem, not only won't they work, they'll also tick some of your readers off.

I agree that the example given is a bit vague. I can't picture what that look is. I have a friend who every time he looks at me, I know he's picturing us having sex. Now I could just say he looks at me with lust...but that would be boring IMO.

He looks at her with lust in his eyes, drool coming from his mouth, and a facial expression like Engelbert Humperdink in a crooning contest, next to Tom Jones.