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Can I use "beat" in my spec script? (currently 3129 views)
DA_S1lva
Posted: October 15th, 2018, 5:14pm
Guest User
To my understanding beat is something you use on a production script.
I would like to know if I can use "beat" in my specs?
Also, I've seen "pause" on other scripts and I was wondering if there's a difference between the two?
I know that they both mean the same thing but specifically do you use "beat" on a production script and "pause" on a spec script or is there no difference?
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Dreamscale
Posted: October 15th, 2018, 5:32pm
Guest User
Yes, you can use "beat" in any script.
Some don't like it, but as far as I'm concerned, if used appropriately, it's no problem at all.
I try to avoid anything which takes the reader out of the story or gives obvious acting instructions.
Imagine if you were reading a story and the author wrote BEAT in-between two paragraphs to tell you there's a gap or pause here. Suddenly you'd be drawn out of the world of Harry Potter (or whatever book takes your fancy) and wondering why the author is giving you reading lessons?
Of course, authors never do this. They write the story in such a way that the pauses are natural, as part of the flow. You know when to take a breath, you know when the action has a pause.
Or you are an actor reading your lines and the writer has told you when to pause in the dialogue. Would you be grateful for the 'how to deliver your lines' lesson or pissed? BTW my own experience with actors is they hate scripts that tell them how to act.
BUT - there are scripts out there that use BEAT, quite famous ones as well. So it is up to you. It's a personal choice.
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Screw the actors, this is my story! I'll tell it however I want. Once it's been paid for if the actor wants to change their lines then so be it.
It's not like I'm standing right there just daring them to change a single line or act it out in a way I didn't precisely specify in the script... or else!
All that 'don't direct', 'don't tell the actors what to do' stuff is not a rule I follow. That's also why I use specific songs and other things in my scripts. I'm not saying that's how it has to be done, I'm saying that's how it should be done. They don't have to agree.
Screw the actors, this is my story! I'll tell it however I want. Once it's been paid for if the actor wants to change their lines then so be it.
It's not like I'm standing right there just daring them to change a single line or act it out in a way I didn't precisely specify in the script... or else!
All that 'don't direct', 'don't tell the actors what to do' stuff is not a rule I follow. That's also why I use specific songs and other things in my scripts. I'm not saying that's how it has to be done, I'm saying that's how it should be done. They don't have to agree.
Very true. If you look at the script for Casablanca, that has the most detailed instructions ever. 130 page script for a 90 minute film. I know it' old but it's a timeless classic. There are no rules, just personal choices and writer's own distinct voices. They are (and should be) as distinctive as fingerprints. Too many folks try to copy other scripts or styles thinking that will bring them success.
For more of my scripts, stories, produced movies and the ocassional blog, check out my new website. CLICK
From the POV of an ordinary reader, I would agree with others in using ...
I get the same feeling of a pause while reading the story but my flow is not broken by constantly reading BEAT. It hinders the experience for me and I have stopped reading scripts because they got in the way
Screw the actors, this is my story! I'll tell it however I want. Once it's been paid for if the actor wants to change their lines then so be it.
It's not like I'm standing right there just daring them to change a single line or act it out in a way I didn't precisely specify in the script... or else!
All that 'don't direct', 'don't tell the actors what to do' stuff is not a rule I follow. That's also why I use specific songs and other things in my scripts. I'm not saying that's how it has to be done, I'm saying that's how it should be done. They don't have to agree.
Concur 100% especially since Actors, Directors, Producers. et al have no problem telling writers how to write.
To my understanding beat is something you use on a production script.
I would like to know if I can use "beat" in my specs?
Also, I've seen "pause" on other scripts and I was wondering if there's a difference between the two?
I know that they both mean the same thing but specifically do you use "beat" on a production script and "pause" on a spec script or is there no difference?
Beat is fine.
My own personal preference is to avoid over using it and wherever possible use something more creative.
Dustin mentioned...
That works.
I like to also add something tone-wise. i.e., if I'm wasting a line away - why not pop it a bit. e.g., rather than:
DAVE I think John is stealing from us. (beat) No, I know he is.
I'd go with:
DAVE I think John is stealing from us. (looks away - thinks) No, I know he is.
I don't mind "beat," but it can feel extraneous. I think it works best used sparingly to enhance the right dramatic moment. Unfortunately for the writer, every moment can feel like the right one, so it can be tricky making strategic choices. I used "beat" a lot when I first started, but I try to avoid it at this point as I may just feel completely different about a given beat when I come back to edit and move it to a different place, at which point the whole thing becomes sorta interchangeable.
I've also come to prefer ellipses as well. Less intrusive.