"Match cut"

[Roscoe P]

If you're doing a MATCH CUT: does it go on the left or right margin?

And before you advise against directions, rest assured I only have about three in the entire script. This is just one transition that isn't nearly as effective without a match.

Thanks,
RoscoeP

[whistlelock]

if it's a transition out; it goes on the right side. If it's a transition in; it goes on the left side.

[Roscoe P]

What if it's both? I'm having one character start a line in one location, and another character seeminly finish the line in a different location.

[whistlelock]

so? use a mini slug or break the sentence and incorperate the slug line into the sentence. llike:

Todd steps out of his car to

EXT. AIRPORT-DAY

hand the bag-man his bag.

[Deus Ex Machine]

Match cut is usually used when matching images. For example.


INT. TRAIN - DAY

John casts a worried look at his watch. It read 1:45.

.................................................. .............MATCH CUT:

INT. TRAIN STATION - DAY

A giant clock reads 1:45. Below it, Jill waits.


There is no hard and fast rule so you can use it for dialogue if you want but it isn't the norm and may thrown some people off wondering what matching image you are cutting to.

Either way it's a transition (like any cut) and is placed on the right.


HTH

[ComicBent]

And Deus's good example points out another thing. If you write the scene the way he does, you do not even need to use MATCH CUT. It is obvious from the narrative how things should be.

[TwoBrad Bradley]

If you're determined to poke your eye out with a sharp stick I suggest you use a stick made of one of the hard woods because --

Oh ... sorry ... wrong Message Board.

Transitions go on the right. "FADE IN:" is the only one that I've seen both ways.
I only use "INTERCUT:" on the right, but I have seen "INTERCUT BETWEEN X AND Y" on the left.

Some software applications have created the category (element) "TRANSITION IN" just to handle the automatic formatting of "FADE IN:".