Hey guys,

I was just wondering if this:

Quoted Text Andrew SCREAMS on his way down to the ground. Just before he hits it, we                                                                           CUT TO: BLACK                                END OF                                ACT TWO

is a valid way to write this. Another example of this would be someone driving in a car. We see a truck approaching the car from the side, just before it hits the car, there's an instant cut to a black scene.

Is this considered 'directing the movie', or is it a valid way to emphazise a transition, especially for an act break?

Thanks for your opinions.

It's usually considered directorial and in Specs we're supposed to leave all those flourishes to the Director. Having said that, if it's something you really want to do creatively, and you feel it will add to a couple of crucial points then do it. It's not going to make or break a script. I take it this is for a TV Pilot too considering the ACT BREAK.

I'm pretty sure in your example you're talking about a SMASH TO BLACK with the car accident, not a slow fade.

I would keep it to a minimum too - if you've got numerous FADES and CUT TOs throughout that's taking it too far as new slugs do the trick of cutting to a new scene anyway and lot of FADES get annoying cause by that point you are directing the entire thing.

I'm pretty sure too it would be CUT TO BLACK on the transition side of the page though, not a bit on the right, bit on the left. Perhaps someone else can confirm that.

And don't forget to FADE back UP out of that BLACK.

Yeah, I think people frown upon the use of CUT TO: in spec scripts.

I can see why you'd want to, but I wouldn't.

It often doesn't help. Stick to the story and keep the format simple.

Unless there's a spectacularly good reason in the story, and I mean Kubrick type spectacular, don't.

LC's post sums it up.

I have done the odd POV thing when it suited. It wasn't Kubrick type spectacular, but I do get carried away with myself sometimes.

R