Slugs & Spacing

[GBarlow]

I've always used 2 returns both before and after a slug, but I read today that it should be 3 before a new slug.

Is this correct?


Thanks,

[captain bligh]

one space (two returns) is fine, but some people do two spaces before a slug and one space after.

it's not an issue of should.

some people do one; others do the other.

[Deus Ex Machine]

Double spacing before a slug is standard. Triple spacing is acceptable though it looks padded to me.

[ComicBent]

I am not saying anything different than the others here, but I will comment anyway.

It does not matter.

Personally, I like two blank spaces before each scene heading. It just looks neater to me. If you use a transition at the end of the preceding scene, the one blank space after it works fine, because the transition is way over on the right, and you still have a lot of white space between the end of the previous scene and the start of the new one.

However, most people seem to use just one blank space before the scene heading. Aesthetically, it does not bother them — but it does me! :)

[VLBarnhill]

I decide which to use based on the final page count.

I start out a draft using three. If my page count runs over, I change it to two.

Play with it. Either is acceptable.

[Salazkin]

My experience is not so extensive as to warrant correcting anyone as to what's correct (besides, it seems there is no absolute "correct" way).

For clarity, though: Triple space = two blank lines before heading.

I used to double space. Received comments from two self-proclaimed experienced readers that one is supposed to TRIPLE SPACE, that they'd recently seen a "rash" of scripts with only double spacing, what's up with that?, some new software default or what?, etc.

Checked back in Trottier's Bible, and he says to triple space, except for secondary headings, where double spacing is fine.

I've now adopted that approach. I think it looks better. It's certainly better if the adage is true that "white space" is a good thing. Unfortunately, though, it added about three pages to my 112 page script.

[nickj]

I triple-space for looks. CUT TO:s used to seperate scenes visually. Without them, one scene runs right into the next. But either way is okay.

I once got in a heated discussion with another self-proclaimed guru who insisted slugs HAD to be triple-spaced. I said it didn't matter. He said of two equally-good scripts, the one with triple-spaced slugs would sell over the other. That's when I excused myself from the discussion.