It's about the mark ( -- )

[mellvern]

I don't know when to use mark [ -- ] in the script and the dialog,
does it mean something in script language?
Thank You

[apprentice1]

Hi,

It means one character INTERRUPTS the other in the middle of talking. I believe you can use one or two dashes (-) or
(--).

good luck.

[Deus Ex Machine]

--

It's an ellipse indicating the speaker abruptly stops either because they stop themselves or they are interrupted by something or someone.

...
Another ellipse, indicated with three periods, indicates trailing off as if the speaker is unable to finish the thought because he/she is overcome by some emotion or idea. Usually the word(s) suppressed (unspoken) are implied by the context of the dialogue.

[Totiwos]

If the person who interrupts is supposed to talk at the same time as the original speaker, what's the most professional way to indicate that? Say, for example, character 1 says "I know I'm always late, but it's not my fault," and character 2 interrupts and says the "it's not my fault."

[Bay418]

That would be dual dialogue sir. Final Draft has an option that allows you to do it. I believe Scriptware does too-

scriptwritingsecrets.com/...alogue.htm (http://scriptwritingsecrets.com/DualDialogue.htm)

^That is a link that tells you the exact margins and such and gives examples. :)

[JoeNYC]

Ellipsis (singular) and ellipses (plural), which means to fall short, to leave out.

Reasons for a screenwriter to use an ellipsis:

To express that the speaker has tailed off into silence, leaving something unsaid.

To indicate a pause in dialogue. Instead of using (pause) or (beat) use an ellipsis or an action. It’s cleaner and less intrusive.

Some writers like to use (pause) or (beat) when they want a longer pause to set up a joke or some other reason. I feel you still could use an ellipsis or action.

Use an ellipsis in dialogue to indicate a pause only when it’s absolutely necessary. Otherwise, let the actors find their own rhythm.

When using an ellipsis “...” don’t skip spaces between the dots. There are different styles of the ellipsis you could use. Newspaper and screenwriting style is different than what guidelines like Chicago manual suggest, which scholars use.

An ellipsis is used to indicate a pause like someone’s listening to the person on the other end. Here are the different styles.

Examples:

Bob answers the phone.

BOB
Yeah... Mary, how are you?

BOB
Yeah...Mary, how are you?

BOB
Yeah. ... Mary, how are you?

The last example is close to guidelines like Chicago Manuel suggests, where you treat the three dots like a word, having a space before and after it.

For the first two examples don’t add a fourth dot to indicate a period. The last period can do double duty as the end of the sentence mark, but do add all other punctuations if you like, but it’s not necessary.

Whichever style you use, you must be consistent and do it the same way throughout the script.

Other uses for an ellipsis are:

If a speaker is interrupted by another character’s dialogue, but the speaker is suppose to continue talking on screen WITHOUT STOPPING.

Example:

&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp BOB
&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp I went straight home. It...

&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp MARY
&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp I hate you!

&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp BOB
&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp ... wasn’t my fault.

Interrupted by parenthetical directions:

&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp BOB
&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp (into phone)
&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp Yeah, Mary I went...
&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp (picks up ash try)
&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp ... straight to John’s place.

An ellipsis is used when a person speaking stops in mid sentence, or the dialogue fades away.

Example: Stops in mid sentence.

&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp BOB
&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp God, Mary, it’s been so long.
&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp I wish you...

Mary walks toward him.

Example: Fades away.

&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp BOB
&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp I remember I was running toward...

Then say you cut to flashback.

DOUBLE DASHES ( -- ) are used to indicate an interruption in speech where the speaker STOPS TALKING, because of an action, sound or another character. It’s also used to show an emphasis, or a break in the speaker’s thought.

Examples:

&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp BOB
&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp I told you it wasn’t –-

&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp MARY
&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp I hate you!

Emphasis:
&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp BOB
&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp I love –- you.

Break in thought:

&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp BOB
&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp I’m late because –- Where the
&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp hell is my dinner!

[ComicBent]

Additionally, please see 'The Chicago Manual of Style' for further discussion of the '--' (typewriter representation of an em dash, produced on computers with NUM LOCK down and ALT 0151 keyed in), and '...' and '....' and how they are all used.

Folks that cannot learn the difference between 'lie' and 'lay' probably need not waste the time with this particular eye glazer. :lol

[pantalone]

Also ellipsis, ellipses (whichever) also can take punctuation.

Joan
Is that...?

John
That sonuva...!

Jeff
Hello....

[stevhal]

Just be careful to only add what is needed for the script. If you are trying to convey emotion, don't bother!! Actors are paid professionals and you can count on them to add the emotion in. Plus, they can sometimes read a scene in a way that you might not have thought of. Giving too many directions in a script takes away from the actor, and they can get annoyed with it.

[Keith Kocaine]

It's two dashes as you said. Not one. You'll use it for interruption, emphasis and all sorts of other cool things.

For example:

Mick Jagger enters. Approaches --

Charlie Watts, who appears to be asleep at the drums.