The spinning newspaper

[5townsguy]

The end of my script has an image that I remember from those 30's pics. The old spinning newspaper. Since my story takes place in the late 1920's I want to end it with what I wrote below. I'm just not sure this is the right format. Does anyone know? thanx.

DISSOLVE TO:
SPINNING COVER OF VARIETY
It stops. The headline reads: “WALL ST. LAYS AN EGG.” The date is October 30, 1929.
The image slowly fades. A radio voice reports the news.
RADIO VOICE (V.O.)

[invaderujin]

The format is fine - though your text is probably a bit wordy. I don't think you need to describe that the newspaper has to stop or that the image fades or the voice reports the news.

Here's a snippet I used in a script of mine-

                                                                    CUT TO:

A SPINNING NEWSPAPER

The front page features a picture of Spider Man running off with 
the money. The headline reads, “SPIDER MAN: THREAT OR 
MENACE?” 

                           OUR HERO (V.O.)
                    So, uh, then what happened?

Hope this helps!

[5townsguy]

Thank you. You are absolutely right.

[FADE IN]

Originally Posted by 5townsguy

Thank you. You are absolutely right.

Well, not to my eye.

A SPINNING NEWSPAPER

The front page features a picture of Spider Man running off with
the money.

The slugline sparks an image of a spinning newspaper in my head.

The narrative forces me to see a still photo of Spiderman "running off the money."

First I'm spinning, then I'm not, apparently.

One has to assume the spinning newspaper stops spinning, but if this isn't stated explicity, as you did in your work, then we're left having to assume.

And although this is a niggling example, it's never good to force your reader to have to assume anything, because they may assume wrongly ... and thereby lead themselves astray, the last thing you want.

It seems nit picky, but in a script every word or lack of a word (or words) counts, no?

I wouldn't make a Federal case out of it, but I'd argue that economy should not be taken to the extreme of forcing readers to assume, a dangerous habit that can lead to greater difficulties in more complex situations.

Moving right along ...