Opinions on "A beat"

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  • Opinions on "A beat"

    I just read a script by an unknown that, although good, was riddled with "A beat". Personally, I find it very amateur and a waste of a line. It could be written a million different ways. The only time I'd ever use beat would be in a parenthetical and even then I try to avoid it as much as I can.

    Thoughts?
    Professional Screenwriting Services

  • #2
    Re: Opinions on "A beat"

    I personally don't like it, but as everything else it can be used well or badly. It isn't a sign of amateurish writing unless the writing itself is amateurish.

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: Opinions on "A beat"

      Just for brief reference, "a beat" appears in these scripts (number of times)*:

      The Departed (17)
      Argo (27)
      Bridesmaids (5)
      Dinner for Schmucks (2)
      Fargo (7)
      Horrible Bosses (11)
      Kickass (14)
      Kramer vs. Kramer (22)
      Legally Blonde (2)
      Midnight Run (16)


      * - Whatever version of the script I happen to have in pdf. Also, "beat" without "a" may appear (many) more times.
      ___

      Add-on: In the copy of the "Lethal Weapon" script that I have, which appears to be a production script, "beat" as a parenthetical appears 68 times.
      Last edited by Manchester; 06-26-2013, 12:34 PM.

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: Opinions on "A beat"

        Originally posted by Manchester View Post
        Just for brief reference, "a beat" appears in these scripts (number of times)*:

        The Departed (17)
        Argo (27)
        Bridesmaids (5)
        Dinner for Schmucks (2)
        Fargo (7)
        Horrible Bosses (11)
        Kickass (14)
        Kramer vs. Kramer (22)
        Legally Blonde (2)
        Midnight Run (16)


        Add-on: In the copy of the "Lethal Weapon" script that I have, which appears to be a production script, "beat" as a parenthetical appears 68 times.
        But they're pro scripts and pros aren't judged by the same rules we are
        M.A.G.A.

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: Opinions on "A beat"

          Really?

          So what's you take on this, that aspiring screenwriters shouldn't use "a beat" in their scripts? Because...?

          I don't believe that, in terms of formatting, things are different for amateurs or pros.

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: Opinions on "A beat"

            I was being sarcastic.
            M.A.G.A.

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: Opinions on "A beat"

              Sorry I missed that. For some reason, I didn't read the emoticone well.

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: Opinions on "A beat"

                Originally posted by Manchester View Post
                Just for brief reference, "a beat" appears in these scripts (number of times)*:

                The Departed (17)
                Argo (27)
                Bridesmaids (5)
                Dinner for Schmucks (2)
                Fargo (7)
                Horrible Bosses (11)
                Kickass (14)
                Kramer vs. Kramer (22)
                Legally Blonde (2)
                Midnight Run (16)


                * - Whatever version of the script I happen to have in pdf. Also, "beat" without "a" may appear (many) more times.
                ___

                Add-on: In the copy of the "Lethal Weapon" script that I have, which appears to be a production script, "beat" as a parenthetical appears 68 times.
                How did you find this information?
                Professional Screenwriting Services

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: Opinions on "A beat"

                  Originally posted by TimAucoin View Post
                  How did you find this information?
                  I could tell you, but then I'd have to shoot... your movie?

                  Open a pdf. Then do an "Advanced Search". (In Windows, you begin that by typing CTRL+SHIFT+F.) Type "a beat" in the search box (without the quotes), click SEARCH, and it will generate/show you a clickable list of every appearance of "a beat", as well as show you the total count.

                  That works in Adobe Reader, and in at least some other pdf readers; again, in Windows, anyway.

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: Opinions on "A beat"

                    I used to be big on writing out beats. Now I avoid them unless it feels natural for the moment –– but always in the parenthetical, never in the action. It's better to say "a moment" or "a pause." I believe it has something to do with how well a reader relates to a "pause" over a "beat."

                    I was reading Sorkin the other day. He uses beats a lot in dialogue; whenever the usual turn of events happens amongst someone's train of thought.

                    All in all, many scripts should probably shoot for > 10 in their features. That seems to be the perfect modicum.
                    "...it is the thousandth forgetting of a dream dreamt a thousand times and forgotten a thousand times."
                    --Franz Kafka "Investigations Of A Dog"

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: Opinions on "A beat"

                      All in all, many scripts should probably shoot for > 10 in their features.
                      Did you by any chance mean LESS than 10 (<10)?

                      "The fact that you have seen professionals write poorly is no reason for you to imitate them." - ComicBent.

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: Opinions on &quot;A beat&quot;

                        I think he means ~10.

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: Opinions on &quot;A beat&quot;

                          Originally posted by TimAucoin View Post
                          I just read a script by an unknown that, although good, was riddled with "A beat". Personally, I find it very amateur and a waste of a line. It could be written a million different ways. The only time I'd ever use beat would be in a parenthetical and even then I try to avoid it as much as I can.

                          Thoughts?
                          Why do you think they're amateur? Can they be misused? Sure. Sounds like you were reading a script where they were misused, but does mean that every time "A beat." is used, it's amateur? No.

                          I think "A beat." is much better than making up unnecessary stuff for a character to do instead of just using "A beat."

                          Code:
                          Joe and Jack are peering into the rat's nest of 
                          wires inside the bomb.
                          
                                             Joe
                               So, which wire needs to be 
                               cut, ace?
                               
                          Jack scratches his nose, stares blankly.
                          
                                            Joe
                                C'mon. We don't have all day.
                          
                          or ...
                          
                          Joe and Jack are peering into the rat's nest of
                          wires inside the bomb.
                          
                                             Joe
                               So, which wire needs to be 
                               cut, ace?
                               
                          A beat.
                          
                                            Joe
                                C'mon. We don't have all day.
                          STANDARD DISCLAIMER: I'm a wannabe, take whatever I write with a huge grain of salt.

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Re: Opinions on &quot;A beat&quot;

                            I'm fine with "a beat." What throws me is when people use "modicum" incorrectly.

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Re: Opinions on &quot;A beat&quot;

                              I had a producer count all of the beats in one of my scripts, and then tell me I was just a beat off.

                              - Bill
                              Free Script Tips:
                              http://www.scriptsecrets.net

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