Sound effects

timmytoo · 10-31-2005, 05:00 AM

Hi,

I responded to a post in the script pages section. I told the writer that he needed to use all caps on his sound effects. I had read a few books that mentioned that. I've also read a few scripts that does that.

I was corrected and told that isn't done anymore. They said that hasn't been done for 30 years. Granted the main script I'm referring to is "Chinatown", and the two books I'll reading was writen in 1988 and 1984.

I need to find out if we do not use caps on sounds. Because I've written two scripts using caps on sound and if we don't anymore. I need to change them.

Thanks Tim.

Steph76 · 10-31-2005, 06:41 AM

Who ever told you that is wrong. Sound effects are still put in CAPS. But just like everything else, it should be minimized. CAP only the most important sounds. Included in the list of people who will need a copy of your script is the sound technicians. In order to know what sounds they need to come up with, they have to pick out these sounds quickly, hence the reason for CAPS.

Steph

ComicBent · 10-31-2005, 08:45 AM

This matter of CAPITALIZING sound effects (and other things) is one of the perennial questions.

Originally the purpose was to alert the sound guy that the alarm clock was going to RING at a certain place. It was a convenience, so the effect would be easy to spot.

With the way production is done these days, and all the rewriting that a script undergoes to come up with a production script, I question whether a spec script needs CAPS for sounds at all. But if you are going to follow that tradition, be consistent: Put all the true sound effects in CAPS. Sound effects are things added to the action. It does not include things like:

The clown begins to SCREAM in pain.

That would be a direction to the actor, and there is no need to capitalize it.

Deus Ex Machine · 10-31-2005, 11:40 AM

For a spec, the only reason to capitalize (underline/bold/italics/etc) anything is for the effect is has on the reader's (anyone who reads the script) interpretation of what's on the page.

If you capitalize everything, the effect it has on the reader is diminished.

Be selective.

Be judicious.

Be intelligent about why you capitalize and you won't have any problems.

HTH

timmytoo · 11-02-2005, 02:57 PM

thanks for the insight.

If I follow you correctly. I should only use caps on sound effects that can not be preformed by the actor. Leave everything else alone.

Thanks again.

PainTed · 11-03-2005, 06:52 AM

I read somewhere that you should use caps on sound effects and also the object/device that made the sound such as: The GUN went BANG. Sounds that are made by humans are not included. Someone let me know if I'm wrong.

10-31-2005, 05:00 AM	#1
timmytoo New User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 22	Sound effects Hi, I responded to a post in the script pages section. I told the writer that he needed to use all caps on his sound effects. I had read a few books that mentioned that. I've also read a few scripts that does that. I was corrected and told that isn't done anymore. They said that hasn't been done for 30 years. Granted the main script I'm referring to is "Chinatown", and the two books I'll reading was writen in 1988 and 1984. I need to find out if we do not use caps on sounds. Because I've written two scripts using caps on sound and if we don't anymore. I need to change them. Thanks Tim. __________________ all I know is that I know nothing at all. - Me

10-31-2005, 06:41 AM	#2
Steph76 User Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 119	Re: Sound effects Who ever told you that is wrong. Sound effects are still put in CAPS. But just like everything else, it should be minimized. CAP only the most important sounds. Included in the list of people who will need a copy of your script is the sound technicians. In order to know what sounds they need to come up with, they have to pick out these sounds quickly, hence the reason for CAPS. Steph __________________ "Only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go." --T.S. Eliot

10-31-2005, 08:45 AM	#3
ComicBent Administrator Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 3,117	Re: Sound effects This matter of CAPITALIZING sound effects (and other things) is one of the perennial questions. Originally the purpose was to alert the sound guy that the alarm clock was going to RING at a certain place. It was a convenience, so the effect would be easy to spot. With the way production is done these days, and all the rewriting that a script undergoes to come up with a production script, I question whether a spec script needs CAPS for sounds at all. But if you are going to follow that tradition, be consistent: Put all the true sound effects in CAPS. Sound effects are things added to the action. It does not include things like: The clown begins to SCREAM in pain. That would be a direction to the actor, and there is no need to capitalize it. __________________ "The fact that you have seen professionals write poorly is no reason for you to imitate them." — ComicBent.

10-31-2005, 11:40 AM	#4
Deus Ex Machine Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 1,823	Re: Sound effects For a spec, the only reason to capitalize (underline/bold/italics/etc) anything is for the effect is has on the reader's (anyone who reads the script) interpretation of what's on the page. If you capitalize everything, the effect it has on the reader is diminished. Be selective. Be judicious. Be intelligent about why you capitalize and you won't have any problems. HTH __________________ Fortune favors the bold - Virgil

11-02-2005, 02:57 PM	#5
timmytoo New User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 22	Re: Sound effects thanks for the insight. If I follow you correctly. I should only use caps on sound effects that can not be preformed by the actor. Leave everything else alone. Thanks again. __________________ all I know is that I know nothing at all. - Me

11-03-2005, 06:52 AM	#6
PainTed Regular Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 224	Re: Sound effects I read somewhere that you should use caps on sound effects and also the object/device that made the sound such as: The GUN went BANG. Sounds that are made by humans are not included. Someone let me know if I'm wrong.

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