Do you need those little blurbs in every script? Because I've found while writing my series my characters don't really need them much if at all

I just use them when the reader needs to know HOW someone says something. Sometimes someone says something (sarcastically) or (under his/her breath) etc, and if that's not established, the dialogue doesn't work. If you don't think they're needed, then they're probably not. YOU know how a scene is supposed to happen, and how the dialogue is supposed to come across.

Ian

I very rarely use them.
I guess it depends on the writer.

My characters say what they feel and feel what they say, uncut uncensored. No under the breath talk going on.

LOL I'm not at all surprised! That's fine them. Just use them if you think they're needed.

Ian

Right
- the way a line is read is up to the director, so I try not to use them.

I think if you tell someone what to think by say using (Sarcastically) How do you sarcastically talk to be honest I have no clue. When I jokingly talk ilaugh at the end so someone knows I'm screwing with them, my characters reflect me.

Accept I noticed while writing my full length script that people smiled at each other way to often, you think that's okay since as humans we smile a lot throughout our lives

PS Thank you Ian and Ziggy for the help, it's appreciated

You're welcome.

Those are fair points so far and I wouldn't disagree. If you write clearly you shouldn't need them, or sometimes a line of Action Description might be a better solution if a line really is ambiguous e.g. "It's my pleasure," through gritted teeth.

This is something writers worry about and the fact is it makes no difference.
When your script is sold (Yeah, right) you won't have any power over what happens to it. If you have lots of parentheticals they will most likely be crossed out or ignored in rehearsals when pages are most likely to be typed up or rewritten. I have certainly never seen a writer on a film set but it's perfectly normal to see the actor and director deciding what way to deliver a line and frequently trying several different ways.

I'd only say that over-using parentheticals marks your script as amateurish at that vital selling stage. It's up to you.

Hope that helps.

Was that "Yeah, right" directed at me or just in general?

Either way I'm not driven by selling a script, people who are need to set there priorities straight because they don't care about making quality work, just the money.

Wes,

No! Not directed at you. 'Your' in that case was a general comment for any writer, myself as much as anyone. "If one sells one's script" sounds a bit silly.

Who here has sold their writing? Is it just you (Wes) that doesn't want to? I'm not sure that quality work and money don't go together but it seems to me that claiming not to want to sell anything is a sure way to protect oneself from the eventual realization that it won't. It's like saying your - one's - writing is supposed to be bad like a B-movie or a tribute to trash. One has to write well before one can write bad good. (Er, let me read that again...)

Veered off topic here but it's an interesting point for discussion.

No flames, I'm genuinely curious because I've noticed you (Wes) give a lot of advice. I'm new here and haven't read your work yet and it's not a personal attack or anything that wastes time like that..

You don't have to be a spectacular writer to give good advice, just a fan of films and the art that is screenwriting, you know?

I know I'm an average or below average writer and I accept my role, some people have dilusions of being rich. I just am not at that stage of comfort to care much about selling anything, some of the people have on here havesold something.

I know it sounds odd but all I really care about is the average person enjoying my work.

Anyways it doesn't matter if you go off topic, you guys have already answered my question.

I can identify with Wesley here. Myself, I never seem to think about making money when I write something, which means all MY needs are out the window and all I care about then are the characters and the story, which can't be a bad thing.

And yeah, I also get a kick out of seeing someone enjoying my work. I think that is compensation enough at times! But don't get me wrong, a nice fat paycheck at the end of all my hard work wouldn't go amiss either! But, I'm happy enough at the moment...

Forgive me for digging up a 4 year old thread, but since the forums are pretty busy at the mo I thought I'd ask a question that's been bugging me about my feature.

I'm using parentheticals in a way that makes sense to me, but I don't think is strictly right: to show movements, or changes in who's being spoken to, without breaking the flow of things with annoying, one line action paragraphs.

Let me give you a few examples (this is also a sneak preview of some of the characters/dialogue from my feature, you lucky people!):

SAM
I’ve got to go pick up my cousin,
remember? And his train gets in
in...
(looks at watch, groans)
...twenty minutes. Shit.

...and...

SCRUBS
Fair enough.
(leans over to Charlie)
Sorry, mate.
(back to everyone else)
So, everyone set for the party
tonight? It’s gonna be off da hook!

...and...

CHELLE (CONTD.)
And Charlie!!!
(launches herself at him)
You came! Great!
(seriously, to Maria)
Charlie is Sam’s cousin, you know.

Three examples, but don't worry, they're pretty isolated cases. I'm not using this constantly, just occasionally. When (if) I get this finished and posted, I don't want people picking up on this to distract them from other issues - story/dialogue/characters/etc.

Is my use of them just plain, unforgivably wrong? Or can I just call it a stylistic choice? I quite like this, and prefer it to the short-action-lines alternative. Please say it's okay!

It's all a matter of who you listen to about it.  I have read write-ups that say you can use parentheticals for small pieces of action.  I have read write-ups that say not to.  

I usually only use parentheticals when I want to change the way a piece of dialogue reads like

SHEILA
(with love)
I hate you.

However,  sometimes, if I want the reader to concentrate on the dialogue, I will use parentheticals that contain the action so as not to split that piece of dialogue with an action line.