Writing Numbers in dialogue

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  • Writing Numbers in dialogue

    In dialogue, if writing the time/date, do you prefer to read:

    "It happened at two thirty on September fifteenth."

    or

    "It happened at 2.30 on September 15th."?
    Twitter @sjgrierson
    https://twitter.com/sjgrierson

  • #2
    Re: Writing Numbers in dialogue

    I'd personally go with the latter. Easier to read and saves space too.

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: Writing Numbers in dialogue

      Originally posted by sjgrierson View Post
      In dialogue, if writing the time/date, do you prefer to read:

      "It happened at two thirty on September fifteenth."

      or

      "It happened at 2.30 on September 15th."?
      I've seen it both ways.

      In Flight, the dialogue is filled with numbers: "10 thousand" "227" "20 miles" "heading 260" "2 miles at 4 o'clock"

      In other scripts, I've seen it all written out: ten thousand, two-two-seven, twenty miles, heading two-six-oh, two miles at four o'clock.

      Personally I'm writing out all my numbers like an actor would say them: let's meet at nine-thirty, my office is on the twenty-fifth floor, I only have six bullets, her phone number is eight-six-seven-five-three-oh-nine, etc.

      But I'd guess either way is acceptable.

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      • #4
        Re: Writing Numbers in dialogue

        Actually, your examples are the times I would use numbers in dialogue. Dates, times, addresses.

        The rest of the time, I spell it out. "She is twenty-two." "I'll take eight of those." Etc.

        Comment


        • #5
          Spell Most Numbers In Dialog

          Originally posted by sjgrierson View Post
          "It happened at two-thirty on September fifteenth."
          That's the correct way.

          If one writes "2.30" in dialog, the character might say "two-thirty" or "half-past-two" (which may not matter much). Sometimes it does matter.

          An actor or director reading the following action description may not be aware of how numbers are pronounced by pilots and air traffic controllers.

          Code:
                         EXT. BLUE RIDGE AIRPORT - VARIOUS SHOTS - DAY
          
                         The Beechcraft Kingair, marked with the registration "N8723T," 
                         taxis to the end of Runway Two, ("02").
          
                         Through the Kingair's left windows, the Pilot, Jack, and 
                         Shelley look outside from their seats.
          
                         The Kingair takes off from the runway, climbs above the 
                         airport, and flies northward.
          As a screenwriter, you should let them know exactly what is to be said.

          In this example, it matters how numbers are pronounced.

          Code:
                         INT. BLUE RIDGE AIRPORT - TOWER - DAY
          
                         Two AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS sit at their consoles. The only 
                         radar display in the tower is on a computer monitor for ground 
                         traffic. Another computer monitor displays flight and weather 
                         information. Both Controllers wear headsets with microphones, 
                         but a loudspeaker broadcasts the emergency radio frequency.
          
                                   PILOT (V.O.)
                              (filtered)
                           Mayday, Mayday, 
                           Mayday.  November-
                           eight-seven-two-tree-
                           tango.  November-
                           eight-seven-two-tree-
                           tango.  Five miles 
                           west of Blue Ridge 
                           Airport, at tree-
                           four-zero.  Four 
                           thousand.  Kingair.  
                           Fire inside cabin.
          
                                                                 SHELLEY (V.O.)
                                                            (filtered, muted 
                                                            screaming)
          
                                                                 CO-PILOT
                                                            (filtered, muted)
                                                         Here, use this.
          
                                                                 RICHARD (V.O.)
                                                            (filtered, muted)
                                                         It's not working!
          
                         Controller #1 looks at his data board's active bay and 
                         points out the aircraft's strip to Controller #2.
          
                                   PILOT (V.O.)
                              (filtered)
                           Returning to Blue 
                           Ridge.  Six souls on 
                           board.  Over.
          
                                                                 CONTROLLER #1
                                                            (to Controller #2)
                                                         There, that last take-
                                                         off.
          
                         Controller #2 nods in agreement to Controller #1.  He checks 
                         over the strips on his data board's active and pending 
                         bays.
          
                                               CONTROLLER #1
                                        (into radio)
                                   November-eight-seven-two-tree-tango.  
                                   November-eight-seven-two-tree-tango.  
                                   November-eight-seven-two-tree-tango.  
                                   This is Blue Ridge Tower, Blue 
                                   Ridge Tower, Blue Ridge Tower.  
                                   Roger Mayday.  Blue Ridge Tower. 
                                   Out.
          
                         Controller #1 picks up a telephone and presses an intercom 
                         switch on his console.
          
                                   CONTROLLER #2
                              (into radio)
                           Mayday, Mayday, 
                           Mayday.  All stations.  
                           Blue Ridge Radio, 
                           Blue Ridge Radio, 
                           Blue Ridge Radio.  
                           Emergency descent at 
                           the Blue Ridge 
                           Airport.
          
                                                                 CONTROLLER #1
                                                            (into telephone)
                                                         This is Blue Ridge Tower.  
                                                         We have an emergency 
                                                         landing for an aircraft 
                                                         on fire.  Get fire trucks 
                                                         and ambulance here, 
                                                         pronto.
          
                         Controller #1 presses another intercom switch on his 
                         console.
          
                                   CONTROLLER #2
                              (into radio)
                           Blue Ridge Radio 
                           instructs all aircraft 
                           below six thousand 
                           feet within range of 
                           one-zero miles of 
                           Blue Ridge V-O-R 
                           leave West and North 
                           sectors immediately.  
                           Blue Ridge Radio.  
                           Out.
          
                                                                 CONTROLLER #1
                                                            (into telephone)
                                                         Get me the airport 
                                                         manager, pronto.  We've 
                                                         got an emergency landing.
                                                            (to Controller #2)
                                                         Switching on the runway 
                                                         lights.
          
                         Controller #1 switches on the runway lights from his 
                         console, picks up a set of binoculars, and looks through 
                         them to the north of the airport.
          
                                               PILOT (V.O.)
                                        (filtered)
                                   Two-tree-tango.  Blue Ridge Tower.
          JEKYLL & CANADA (free .mp4 download @ Vimeo.com)

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          • #6
            Re: Writing Numbers in dialogue

            Cool. Thanks for the thoughts guys.
            Twitter @sjgrierson
            https://twitter.com/sjgrierson

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