I'm reclaiming the line those 2 words waste at the start of a script.

I'm not using it.  Call me a rebel, call me an ignorant fool, but I'm done with it.  Why do I have to tell you my script is fading in on page 1?  I don't care how it starts (if i did, I'd use something more specific) you know it's starting, why do you need those 2 words on the right side of the page?

One of my favorite parts of writing, is doing the pass where you try to cut as many lines as possible, and from now on, I'm reclaiming one from the jump.

If someone thinks I'm a amateur because i didnt use em, whatever, hopefull my writing on page 1 keeps them around.  That's ultimately what I want right? My writing to stand on it's own.

I've actually left it off some shorts that I posted here and immediately gotten a "you need a fade in!" to which i always wanted to counter "Who friggen cares," but the person was nice enough to review my work, so i would never be that crass.  

Anyone else just not use "FADE IN:?"  it just seems outdated and pointless to me.

BTW - feel free to sway me on the benefits of using it.

Actually, I copyrighted the phrase FADE IN some years ago, so lucky for you I'm not asking for royalty payments.

The way I understand it, "FADE IN:" indicates, that you're fading in.  

I know.  Mind blowing isn't it?

If I don't want the movie to start with a fade, I leave it out.  I better have a good reason for starting the movie abruptly though.

If I start it with scenes of the rolling hills of, wherever, then I'll be fading in.

If I start it with the sound of a gunshot and brains splattering on the wall.  I might leave out the fade.

It does seem to be a constant though.  I'm sure most writers out there will say it's mandatory.

Here's why you use it:

1. You risk a reader throwing it away if you don't;
2. If you don't use it, technically everything that you describe next happens over a black screen. If you start with a  SUPER or (V.O.), there's even more reason for a reader to assume you'd like to have it over black instead of fading in;
3. Newbie rebels are despised; if you want to break the rules, get some success under your belt first.

Quoted from ajr ...if you want to break the rules, get some success under your belt first.

Well said.

Quoted from ajr Here's why you use it: 1. You risk a reader throwing it away if you don't; 2. If you don't use it, technically everything that you describe next happens over a black screen. If you start with a  SUPER or (V.O.), there's even more reason for a reader to assume you'd like to have it over black instead of fading in;

i abide by all the stupid rules that Person A says are correct and Person B says are BS.  You're points are fine, but do you agree they're absolutely ridiculous?  #2 especially?

It’s an old tradition that I personally like and will always use it, I saw a discussion on another thread recently about it and the fact that it’s not standard anymore but I will continue to use it and yes, maybe even comment on authors not using it.

Depends on the situation really…

What I’m trying to say is I will always use Fade in but understand other writers not because they think it’s old, tired and out-dated.

It’s what suits you I guess.

Quoted from ajr Here's why you use it: 1. You risk a reader throwing it away if you don't; 2. If you don't use it, technically everything that you describe next happens over a black screen. If you start with a  SUPER or (V.O.), there's even more reason for a reader to assume you'd like to have it over black instead of fading in; 3. Newbie rebels are despised; if you want to break the rules, get some success under your belt first.

Some really good points here as to why you should use it...

Not ready to follow the path you are blazing on this one, Conz...but I respect it!! A lot.

More thinking about the reasons behind things is always a good idea.

In this case, I am going follow Anthony, based on points 1 and 3. The risk reward does not seem to justify saving two lines.

But you keep blazing your own trail, and I'll follow you somewhere sooner or later! I love independent thinkers.

I have to say, I do remember this discussion coming up here once. A veteran argued that without the Fade In, how do we know we are at the beginning? I always thought the fact that things begin right after the title page was a pretty good clue. But I stayed quiet.

Yes, you should use FADE IN:, and BTW, it goes on the left side of the page, not the right.

Why should you use it?  Well, Anthony's points are all valid, fo starters, but let's look at it a little more closely.

Are you having a problem with starting your script off with FADE IN:, or using it anywhere within your script?

I'm not big on using unnecessary transitions throughout a script, but there are definitely times when they work - I'm referring to some kind of FADE OUT. inside the script.

If you did use one of these, would you use FADE IN: to open your new scene or just skip it again?  If you skip it, you're incorrect, just like if you skip it out of the gate, you're incorrect.

If your goal is to save 2 lines (4 lines including a FADE OUT. at the end) over the course of the entire script, I bet ya I cold find those 2 lines within your first page alone.

Pick your battles wisely, and when you come up against something that makes sense that you truly believe in, fight with all you've got. This isn't a winning battle and it's far from a wise choice.

Conz, you planning on ditching FADE OUT as well?

i dont know, all your points are valid... still seems pointless.  it would be like writing a characters first and last name every single time they appear for no reason.  Also hate that tv scripts have FADE IN to start every act break as if "ACT TWO" wasn't enough.

I dont use transitions in a script no matter what.  I dont like the eye getting drawn to the right margin at any point, it throws me off

Quoted from B.C. Conz, you planning on ditching FADE OUT as well?

Well if you take the point I'm trying to make... this is the same thing.  Why is it necessary?  It's the last page.  The last line of dialogue has been spoken.  Are you telling me readers are gonna stop and say "Wait?  This scene just stopped mid page on page 110, am I missing more?  That seemed like closure, but where is the "FADE OUT?!"

Not to mention if they got to where FADE OUT was supposed to be, that's probably a good sign.  Something tells me a few missing transitions aren't gonna be the downfall of the script.

I'd rather use THE END if anything, and i dont even like that.

I had to cut a submission for a contest recently by 5 pages, and i kept in the FI/FO b/c of the paranoia discussed in this thread.  I had to kill a joke that I thought went well in the scene, which pissed me off, b/c not only is "FADE IN" a line, but it leaves the extra space when you hit enter like a scene heading.

Quoted from Conz I had to cut a submission for a contest recently by 5 pages, and i kept in the FI/FO b/c of the paranoia discussed in this thread.  I had to kill a joke that I thought went well in the scene, which pissed me off, b/c not only is "FADE IN" a line, but it leaves the extra space when you hit enter like a scene heading.

Conz, as I said, I bet you and guarantee you the reason you had to cut anything is not due to FADE IN: and FADE OUT.  No fucking way.  In fact, I bet you there is well over 1/2 a page of completely unnecessary lines in your 5 pager.

I do agree FI seems unnecessary for shorts. But in a contest, you should use. Hate to see you lose votes for that. And you will. If you lose the lines you wanted to use, that stinks. That's why I don't do those 5 page contests.

My software puts the FI on the right. That must be for a reason. And certainly all of the old scripts appear with it on the right.

I had to waste a whole day learning how to tease my software to put it where it doesn't want to: on the left.

The things we do for no other purpose than to make rules people happy.