Here's a question.

How do you introduce characters we don't see?

Quoted from Zack Here's a question. How do you introduce characters we don't see?

So all the characters?

Yeah good question, and exactly what I mean as far as a potential sticking point.

If you intro them in any way other than a name, that's visual, and won't be seen anyway.

Then again, even the name (as a character in action) is relatively pointless unless it's used in the dialogue.

Also if this is to be more reflective of a radio play, I have no idea what they do in those. Do they give some sense of character?

So no idea... hope that helps.



Then again, not every element of a normal script transfers to a visual anyway, so...?

Quoted from Don This is the first of three un-interrelated writing challenges...  UP first

Random side bar, I'm thinking we are going to lose something in each of the challenges. First no visual, then maybe no dialogue, then something else...?

In any format, the speaker is named so the actor knows which lines are theirs. It is helpful to the listener to have their name spoken so they can identify speakers by voice too, and if/when they are spoken about. What they look like doesn't matter, their character should come through in their dialogue.

I would explain how I think the character introductions should be done in these circumstances, but I don't want to out my script. I suppose this is one of those points that we should be pretty lenient on.

Quoted from ReneC In any format, the speaker is named so the actor knows which lines are theirs. It is helpful to the listener to have their name spoken so they can identify speakers by voice too, and if/when they are spoken about. What they look like doesn't matter, their character should come through in their dialogue.

But the character is named in the CHARACTER section, just before dialogue.

Are you talking about in the ACTION?

Quoted from Zack I would explain how I think the character introductions should be done in these circumstances, but I don't want to out my script. I suppose this is one of those points that we should be pretty lenient on.

Yeah I kinda realized after the fact that answers to that question could be a bit telling.

Moving on.

Quoted from Warren But the character is named in the CHARACTER section, just before dialogue. Are you talking about in the ACTION?

I would simply have their name in dialogue, no caps intro.

I've always thought that it's a no-no to introduce a new character with dialog. Hmm. I'm overthinking this. lol

Quoted from ReneC I would simply have their name in dialogue, no caps intro.

Roger that.

There is definitely going to be a random mixture of the way these scripts are formatted.

Quoted from Zack I've always thought that it's a no-no to introduce a new character with dialog. Hmm. I'm overthinking this. lol

I feel like so much of this challenge is a no-no, I think we do the best with what we've got.

Quoted from Warren I feel like so much of this challenge is a no-no, I think we do the best with what we've got.

Good point.

Ultimately, as long as it's clear and sticks to the requirements, I'll consider it job done. This isn't a traditional screenwriting challenge, format's not something that should be penalized (Jeff would be horrified).

And so I submitted what I have in the format I decided was best, and let the chips fall where they may.

Quoted from ReneC Ultimately, as long as it's clear and sticks to the requirements, I'll consider it job done. This isn't a traditional screenwriting challenge, format's not something that should be penalized (Jeff would be horrified).

Agreed, I imagine the bulk, if not all of my comments will pertain to story and not format, unless of course there is something wildly out of place.

If this was a normal challenge, I'd have a lot more to say about format.

And... submitted.