What does (a beat) mean in this context?

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  • What does (a beat) mean in this context?

    On page 7 in this script, what does (a beat) mean?
    http://www.pages.drexel.edu/~ina22/s..._Bad-Pilot.PDF

  • #2
    Re: What does (a beat) mean in this context?

    Originally posted by Spoiled View Post
    On page 7 in this script, what does (a beat) mean?
    http://www.pages.drexel.edu/~ina22/s..._Bad-Pilot.PDF
    A beat is that brief silence moment before dialogue continuation. Kinda like hesitation before answer and such.
    ''Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.''

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    • #3
      Re: What does (a beat) mean in this context?

      Originally posted by JasonRaven View Post
      A beat is that brief silence moment before dialogue continuation. Kinda like hesitation before answer and such.
      Ok, that makes sense. Thank you! Is there a dictionary you can you refer me to containing all expressions like this? Is there for instance another term for a longer silence? (Two beats)?

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      • #4
        Re: What does (a beat) mean in this context?

        Originally posted by Spoiled View Post
        Ok, that makes sense. Thank you! Is there a dictionary you can you refer me to containing all expressions like this? Is there for instance another term for a longer silence? (Two beats)?
        I've never heard of anyone using "two beats." If you wanted the "beat" to go longer, you'd probably describe something ... like "the clock ticks several times." Personally I just use "pause" for "beat."
        STANDARD DISCLAIMER: I'm a wannabe, take whatever I write with a huge grain of salt.

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        • #5
          Re: What does (a beat) mean in this context?

          Originally posted by Spoiled View Post
          Ok, that makes sense. Thank you! Is there a dictionary you can you refer me to containing all expressions like this? Is there for instance another term for a longer silence? (Two beats)?
          Read through the frequently asked questions section. You will find a lot of us have asked and answered questions about screenwriting and screenwriting terms. The Wordplayer.com website also has archives with many explanations.

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          • #6
            Re: What does (a beat) mean in this context?

            Originally posted by Joaneasley View Post
            Read through the frequently asked questions section. You will find a lot of us have asked and answered questions about screenwriting and screenwriting terms. The Wordplayer.com website also has archives with many explanations.
            Great! Thank you!

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            • #7
              Re: What does (a beat) mean in this context?

              Originally posted by Spoiled View Post
              Ok, that makes sense. Thank you! Is there a dictionary you can you refer me to containing all expressions like this? Is there for instance another term for a longer silence? (Two beats)?
              Screenwriter John August has a site called "io" for screenwriting basics you can search. Lots of stuff on there.

              https://screenwriting.io/

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              • #8
                Re: What does (a beat) mean in this context?

                Originally posted by Spoiled View Post
                On page 7 in this script, what does (a beat) mean?
                Another use of “(beat)” is to indicate a reversal or change of direction.

                In your example, the second “beat” on page 7, Walt goes from being condescending to being helpful.

                The mind-blowing part is Walt doesn’t need to pause. He can simply change his tone. - Acting!
                "I am the story itself; its source, its voice, its music."
                - Clive Barker, Galilee

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                • #9
                  Re: What does (a beat) mean in this context?

                  To me, the first "a beat" indicates a pause from the student because he didn't have the answer.

                  The second "a beat" controlled the pacing because Walt was going to a deeper thought.

                  Typically I use beats similar to the way it's used in the script -- to control the pacing of the narrative flow. So a beat could indicate a thought change or because there a pause of hesitance in the action, dialogue, or a character's response etc.

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                  • #10
                    Re: What does (a beat) mean in this context?

                    I don't use "(beat)". I think it's one of those arcane expressions that this biz likes to hold onto to make it seem 'exclusive' and cool, and it also crosses into the territory of interpretation by the actor/s and director.

                    If, say, one of my characters asks a question of another, and there's no response, there are several different ways to handle that. But if rather than describing someone's puzzled facial expression, in this particular case, and I genuinely need to have a pause, I've written "(pause)" as the parenthetical.

                    This has been the case maybe 10 times in my 48 screenplays.

                    Now, I have yet to get a script optioned/sold, so who am I to talk, but nobody has yet complained to me about it.

                    Put another way, all of this subtle syncopation is something I'd expect the actor/s and director will work out anyway - if they're looking for it, I give them full permission to do so - and it's one of the reasons why they're getting the big bucks.

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                    • #11
                      Re: What does (a beat) mean in this context?

                      i think it's more important to note how a beat is being used... on page 7 of the attached scrippet it's being used in the wryly to indicate direction to the actor to pause. but in the wider scope of storytelling i think a beat is the smallest element of action/reaction that makes up a story. beat > scene > sequence > act > story
                      life happens
                      despite a few cracked pots-
                      and random sunlight

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