minislugs or sec headings

[peakbeach]

Minislugs.

It's like splitting your mansion (or shack) into several rooms, each with a specific name - patio, living room, someone's bedroom, upstairs bathroom, backyard, etc. A well organized way of writing so a reader can follow your story without much pain.

But...how popular are minislugs today? If I recall Alan Ball didn't use any in his AMERICAN BEAUTY script...and most of the action in his story happens inside homes, school, gymn, police station, etc.

I have no problem using minislugs as sort of subtitles, each followed by a sentence (next line) that starts with initial cap, as it's done in all general writing. But I have a bit of difficulty using them as "starting a sentence (FULL CAPS) that continues on the next line (in lower caps)" - especially when using character names as minislugs. That really kills me! For now, anyway.

Please understand that my background is writing novels and short stories - a different art form.

Questions:

1. Must every minislug end with BACK TO MASTER SCENE (or BACK TO MAIN SCENE or BACK TO MAIN SLUG)?

2. I imagine that if your style calls for lots of minislugs (Syd Field seems to like them a lot; I don't know about today's top screenwriters), especially using character names as such, you ought to be consistent throughout your story. I have used my main character only once as a minislug in act 1, and only because he has a very important point to make (in V.O.). Unless I use this technique (character name as minislug) more often in act 2 and act 3 I'm not going to look very consistent about it. Should I worry?
3. I had a third question, but it just escaped my mind. Sorry.

:eek :eek :eek

[nickj]

I use them just like regular slugs, with the INT/EXT implied and only one blank line preceding. Use whatever you're comfortable with. It's a matter of style, not format rules.

I don't like props or character minislugs either. They're seldom used well -- more for effect than anything -- and they draw too much attention to the writing. IMO, any technique that isn't universally liked should be avoided, and maybe replaced with great writing.

[altoption]

For the last several years, the trend has been toward fewer mini-slugs, more master scenes. That's not to say the pendulum won't swing back the other way. Just remember it's a style issue. Plenty of professional writers use them all the time. Not worth chasing fashion, just find your own.