I'm a first year film student. I recently began writing a script for my class.
The scene starts with a pair of running legs, stepping into puddles. Then black screen. Then we see the back of the person who we saw in the last shot, running. Black screen again. And so on.

I just don't know what kind of shots will do it and how to put it into action? A lot of people over the internet say that isn't recommended using.
Anybody can please tell me how to put it into the script? Also if anybody has a site or a list of types of shots that would be great as well. Any help is VERY appreciated!!  :B

Not using the CUT TO BLACK/CUT TO isn't really recommended for spec scripts, but if you're shooting it yourself I don't see a problem using the CUT TO in the script.  From what I'm aware of, the use of CUT TO is used in shooting scripts.

I'm sure you'll get a lot of different opinions on here, all of which will have their merits, so hopefully more people will chime in!

Nolan

Can I say:

Quoted Text EXT. RAINY STREETS - NIGHT We see a pair of running legs. CUT TO BLACK. OVER BLACK-- THE FAINT SOUND of panting, backed by the footsteps in the puddles. CUT TO: EXT. RAINY STREETS - CONTINUOUS The YOUNG MAN keeps running as the lights from the CAR chasing him, light the dark streets. CUT TO BLACK. OVER BLACK-- The car STOPS. CUT TO: EXT. RAINY STREETS - CONTINUOUS

And so on? (this is just a draft)

Hi Lynn

I'd lose the "We see", you also want to stay clear of "we hear". Show us what we see, describe it, same with sounds.

Also if you are capitalising sounds, "THE FAINT SOUND" isn't the sound. The PANTING is and so are the FOOTSTEPS.

This is also very passively written, as in lots of words ending in "ing". It would be a much better read if you could minimise/lose them.

Quoted from Warren Hi Lynn I'd lose the "We see", you also want to stay clear of "we hear". Show us what we see, describe it, same with sounds. Also if you are capitalising sounds, "THE FAINT SOUND" isn't the sound. The PANTING is and so are the FOOTSTEPS. This is also very passively written, as in lots of words ending in "ing". It would be a much better read if you could minimise/lose them.

Got it, thank you!
Is it okay to use from time to time in the ing words, since I don't see any other way to describe "a pair of running legs"?
And are the CUTS okay? I know it's not common but I still want to go for it.

Code EXT. RAINY STREETS - NIGHT We see a pair of running legs.

A pair of running legs? Are these naked legs? Shaved? Male? When you see the running legs in your mind's eye, what do they look like? Let us know too.


You don't need to cut to black. Simply go to OVER BLACK. Then when you want to return to the scene, simply write the scene heading as below:

Code OVER BLACK-- THE FAINT SOUND of panting, backed by the footsteps in the puddles. EXT. RAINY STREETS - CONTINUOUS The YOUNG MAN keeps running as the lights from the CAR chasing him, light the dark streets.

It's not bad if you're going to be filming it yourself but try rewording your sentences so that they are more active.

So:

Code The YOUNG MAN keeps running as the lights from the CAR chasing him, light the dark streets.

Becomes:

Code The headlights from a pursuing car illuminate a panic-stricken YOUNG MAN as he sprints toward an alleyway.

Quoted from DustinBowcot Code EXT. RAINY STREETS - NIGHT We see a pair of running legs. A pair of running legs? Are these naked legs? Shaved? Male? When you see the running legs in your mind's eye, what do they look like? Let us know too. You don't need to cut to black. Simply go to OVER BLACK. Then when you want to return to the scene, simply write the scene heading as below: Code OVER BLACK-- THE FAINT SOUND of panting, backed by the footsteps in the puddles. EXT. RAINY STREETS - CONTINUOUS The YOUNG MAN keeps running as the lights from the CAR chasing him, light the dark streets. It's not bad if you're going to be filming it yourself but try rewording your sentences so that they are more active. So: Code The YOUNG MAN keeps running as the lights from the CAR chasing him, light the dark streets. Becomes: Code The headlights from a pursuing car illuminate a panic-stricken YOUNG MAN as he sprints toward an alleyway.

Oh god I have so much more to learn. Also English is not my first language so my vocabulary is a bit more limited xP
And thank you very very much! :D

Definitely don't need to loose all the "ing" words, just the ones that tend to make the writing passive.

If you plan to film it yourself then you can keep the CUT TO's, you can pretty much do whatever you want. Id lose them if you aren't though.