It's like most things with formatting, everyone has an opinion, but there is no actual rule book - just what is considered 'standard' at a particular time... and that 'standard' is a slowly shifting and evolving ideal...

So personal opinion from reading scripts here, elesewhere, and being active on a Forum or two... BOLD slugs are increasingly popular, and I doubt they would prevent a reader/producer from getting through a good script and would detract to the scripts real detriment.

As Geoff said, same with other time elements... while DAY and NIGHT may be standard, would anyone really have an issue with DAWN or TWILIGHT?

Anthony  

Creamy bold courier font is boss tho.

Quoted from eldave1 Concur!!!!! But there are sources that say stick with DAY or NIGHT. For example: "What a Script" says only use DAY or NIGHT unless it is a scene in space. So, there is probably some noob out there marking down scripts that use DUSK or DAWN - which in my humble opinion wold be absolutely idiotic to mark someone down on.

Anybody who uses "Morning" or "Evening" in a scene header is a shit writer Dave.  Didn't you get the memo?

Whenever I see it, I flat out refuse to read the screenplay.

It takes some nerve I tell ya Dave, the fucking brass.

IMO, it's downright lazy movie making to assume every EXt shot will be simply DAY or NIGHT.  MORNING can easily come into play, and so can EVENING.

Also, IMO, it's always best to be as visual and exact as you can, especially in a Slug, which costs now extra spaces or lines.

Quoted from Dreamscale IMO, it's downright lazy movie making to assume every EXt shot will be simply DAY or NIGHT.  MORNING can easily come into play, and so can EVENING. Also, IMO, it's always best to be as visual and exact as you can, especially in a Slug, which costs now extra spaces or lines.

Seriously, unless it's Sunset and Sunrise and we're actually watching the sun peek above the horizon, or go down - what is the difference? Why would you write MORNING in place of day?

Plenty of shots get filmed when they're not actually accurate to what is specified in the slug anyway i.e., the director likes a particular hue of light for an early morning shot when it's actually an early evening shot on the page.

Give me an example where you would be correct in writing EVENING for example, in place of NIGHT.

P.S. Anthony, I wouldn't be entering that particular comp again that marked you down for Bold headers. Talk about anal retention.

Quoted from Max Anybody who uses "Morning" or "Evening" in a scene header is a shit writer Dave.  Didn't you get the memo? Whenever I see it, I flat out refuse to read the screenplay. It takes some nerve I tell ya Dave, the fucking brass.

Yes, I got the memo this morning.

Quoted from eldave1 Yes, I got the memo this morning.

Class.

Quoted from LC Seriously, unless it's Sunset and Sunrise and we're actually watching the sun peek above the horizon, or go down - what is the difference? Why would you write MORNING in place of day? Plenty of shots get filmed when they're not actually accurate to what is specified in the slug anyway i.e., the director likes a particular hue of light for an early morning shot when it's actually an early evening shot on the page. Give me an example where you would be correct in writing EVENING for example, in place of NIGHT.

Uhhh...really?

How about a flick that happens over a single day?  Or scenes that occur from the very beginning of the day throughout the day and into the night?

True, that movie makers routinely shoot scenes in different parts of the day, but also true that it's often a mistake and called out in critique of the film.

Bottom line is that if a scene is playing out in the morning, why wouldn't you want to let your readers know it's morning?  Why?

It's not just about the actual lighting, because in a Slug, we have the ability to release information to our readers at zero cost in terms of lines and spaces.  Keep it real.  Be exact.  Be detailed and visual.

You get me?  

Quoted from LC Seriously, unless it's Sunset and Sunrise and we're actually watching the sun peek above the horizon, or go down - what is the difference? Why would you write MORNING in place of day? Plenty of shots get filmed when they're not actually accurate to what is specified in the slug anyway i.e., the director likes a particular hue of light for an early morning shot when it's actually an early evening shot on the page. Give me an example where you would be correct in writing EVENING for example, in place of NIGHT. P.S. Anthony, I wouldn't be entering that particular comp again that marked you down for Bold headers. Talk about anal retention.

I think Anthony got shafted in that comp innit, and it is a case of anal retention.  If he bolded random shit for no reason, then I would be more understanding of the situation.

And Ant, I ain't trying to treat you like a dickhead or anything, but did you read that rule before you entered?  If you didn't then it's fairplay because who would've thought, right?

Janet Clarke, a cool ass chick who handles stuff on this site ect, bolds her slugs as well, and I believe she's a defender of bold slugs also.

That creamy bold font is just something to admire, don't ya think?  Everything is sectioned off with each scene, but your eye will catch that the scene is about to come to an end.

Quoted from LC Give me an example where you would be correct in writing EVENING for example, in place of NIGHT.

I mostly use night and day, but I will use Dusk and Dawn.

simple examples:

someone watching a sunrise
someone watching sunset.
An early morning military raid

etc

IMO, sometimes a specific time of day can be important to convey a scene and it gets tedious to keep using "the clock reads 5:00 am.

Put in this way, if I am not allowed to ever use DAWN, then I will be in mourning. And I am not going to exclusively use NIGHT, evening if it kills me





        

I dunno...

DAY and NIGHT is perhaps an oversimplification of time and mood, some may argue.

Don't ask me jack shit about that because I have no fucking idea.

RESPONSE TO DAVE:

That's my point. Unless we're actually watching a sunset or a sunrise it doesn't appear to be needed.

You'd surely have to be consistent too. If your script has MORNING but then further down it's listed as DAY... Get what I mean. Thanks, Dave.

Quoted from JC Cleveland (Uhh...really)

Yeah, really. I'm seeking clarification. If you really believe you have valuable info to impart why not just elaborate instead of prefacing with a 'duh' response, implying they're an idiot for wanting more info.

That's the point at which I'll go 'uhh...really' and move on to someone who's actually happy to expound upon what they've just said without editorializing.

I'll expound on what I said Libby...

"I don't have a fucking clue either way, so don't ask me.."

Editorializing is too big a word for me.

Quoted from Max I'll expound on what you said Libby... "I don't have a fucking clue either way, so don't ask me.." Editorializing is too big a word for me.

Thanks for your input, Max. Always entertaining.  

And further to what Jeff pointed out. I'm in total agreement if a movie is taking place over the span of one day. If it's not, and/or we're just talking 'sunset' 'sunrise' moments, then I fear I'm going to get confused at times - perhaps the reader might too... So unless there's a specific reason for it I think I'll stick with DAY and NIGHT.

Lol, you crack me up Libby.  I can always vibe with the Aussies I feel, and I feel as if the British aren't that far removed from people such as yourself.

I know everything about Australia because I watch Neighbours.