I noticed a "profanity Report" in Final Cut that lists all the swears in the script, dialogue or not. How many swears is too many? I heard you can use "F__K" once and still get a PG-13 movie (it was in the first scene of "Be Cool"). Any information would be helpful...thanks

Isaac

Depends on the context....If you drop the f-bomb in reference to the physical act, it's an R rating automatically.

Don't worry about that when you write a script.  Get the story down first.


Phil

Make it sound natural. As long as you've got that, it doesn't matter what rating you get. I have yet to find a black and white list of what the MPAA uses to rate films. It's a group of parents who give their objective opinion as to how it would be rated, which is why filmmakers can challenge it.

I agree with George.  Personally, I only use swears when it is context of a character's personality.

A good example of a PG-13 film with context F-bombs is "Behind Enemy Lines."  They drop three f-bombs in that film, but they all fit and worked with the characters.  

Since you're not writing for a studio, I don't see why it matters. More likely than not if they  option your script they will completely rewrite it anyway.

The whole point of a site like this is to write what you want to write and get it read by a community. Sometimes those people can take the words in a script out of context or use them for a personal battle that has nothing to do with this site but still it is a forum to express your writing.

Quoted from Old Time Wesley Since you're not writing for a studio, I don't see why it matters. More likely than not if they  option your script they will completely rewrite it anyway. The whole point of a site like this is to write what you want to write and get it read by a community. Sometimes those people can take the words in a script out of context or use them for a personal battle that has nothing to do with this site but still it is a forum to express your writing.

You make some good points there, Wes...

I agree with what you're saying...

You're the writer, you have a vision and you get it down the best you can and finish the screenplay. Then post it here so other writers can provide you with constructive criticism and maybe make some suggestions if your script needs them.

You need to get as many reads as possible because getting the script out there and read is the first step toward improving yourself as a writer and your work.

And Wes is right, this is what this forum is spposed to be all about.

What the f*** kind of question is this? You should use as many d*** swear words as you bloody hell want. Merde! Give the mother f****** censors something to do!  They need to earn their pay checks too.



Just kidding. You need to write what you think is appropriate to tell your story. The rating will come later - when and if it is produced.