Curious as to why writers feel the need to open up their scripts with a quotation. I mean, do people find this preps the mood for the read? Does it scream amateur or is the quote an increasing trend?

What do you guys think?

I wouldn't use it. Simply because I've seen it done in so many movies that I would feel it's cheesy and a unoriginal way to start a movie.

That's just me. I'm sure others feel different.

It doesn't bother me. I don't so it myself.

I can't remember ever putting a quote at the start of a script. But I wouldn't rule it out if it was a good one and it fitted well.

Sometimes it works very well. I can't think of any at the moment. And I can't be bothered looking it up.

Insert your own example here.

Now you can move on. Nothing to see here.

R

I'm guessing some think it looks pretentious... And sometimes it does. If it fits, adds to an opening mood, indicates what's to come via story and theme, it never bothers me. In fact I've done it at least once.

Writers quote other writers/philosophers, other sources all the time.  It's regularly seen as a preface to fictional books too.  Stephen King does it a lot (often with song lyrics) and yep I've seen it in numerous movies/screenplays too.

It's always going to be the story that follows that will justify it or not.

It depends on the story. I'll do it if I feel like it. How other writers feel about it doesn't matter a jot. When ordinary people read these things they often like them. I like reading them too. So long as they make sense, of course. I like to be given early clues, shows a smart writer.

As LC said though, the story better be good. It better suck me in to the point where I'm enjoying every word that leaps off the page. If the story fails, so will the quote.

I've never done it and don't really see the need, but can't say it bothers me when others do... but as Dustin said, what other writers think isn't really the issue... it's what producers think.

Thanks for the input, fellas. :)

Quoted from TonyDionisio Curious as to why writers feel the need to open up their scripts with a quotation. I mean, do people find this preps the mood for the read? Does it scream amateur or is the quote an increasing trend? What do you guys think?

It could be seen as pretentious.  ;D

If it's to be repeated at the end of the film to drill home a deeper meaning, that's fine in my opinion. Some people would argue that it's a self-indulgence of sorts, but it can be used in an effective way.

Not against it, but generally seems like a cheap gimmick to make scripts look smarter than they actually are. Not so cynical to think writers consciously include them for that reason specifically, but for the most part, it seems to be done out of bad taste, at least. At the same time, I wouldn't rule out using one myself if I thought it could work, even if said decision turned out to be equally misguided. Definitely seen films where it's worked like a charm (e.g. Ravenous).

Quoted from TonyDionisio Curious as to why writers feel the need to open up their scripts with a quotation. I mean, do people find this preps the mood for the read? Does it scream amateur or is the quote an increasing trend? What do you guys think?

References the theme.

Easy way to seem artsy.

I've never done them but I like seeing them in others' work. Most often reads very cool. I've never seen a script I didn't like with it - now that's interesting.