The Use Of CONT'D

j over · 06-22-2005, 09:07 PM

Like many other potential frequently asked questions, opinions will most likely vary on the use of CONT'D in a script. There seems to be a slight trend in scripting now where some writers don't even use CONT'D at all, but what I wanted to know was in your opinion, is it still a valid factor and if so where is it valid in a script (as I've seen and heard of some misplacing this "word" in their scripts)?

Erehwon · 06-22-2005, 09:10 PM

I don't use them, and it was never a slap against me because I didn't.

Bad Liver · 06-22-2005, 10:04 PM

I turned those f'ers off in my latest script and it became three glorious pages shorter.

So no more of 'em for me.

TheKeenGuy · 06-22-2005, 10:23 PM

I'm used to them and find them helpful and that it makes the script easier to read, so I'm keeping them.

It doesn't matter too much, though... No one will throw away a script only based on whether a scritp does or doesn't have them.

whistlelock · 06-23-2005, 03:01 PM

I always thought it was an odd thing. Isn't it kinda obvious the story keeps going? Until the pages run out, anyway.

MiaJuncus · 06-23-2005, 05:02 PM

I think they are referring to the CONT'D that occur after a character's dialogue is broken up by action. Is this correct or no?

j over · 06-24-2005, 03:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MiaJuncus

I think they are referring to the CONT'D that occur after a character's dialogue is broken up by action. Is this correct or no?

Yes, that's correct.

Jack0902 · 06-24-2005, 03:25 PM

I use 'em, including in both of my scripts that were optioned. Neither producer on those scripts, nor my manager or agent have ever told me not to.

alipali · 06-25-2005, 07:05 AM

They are used in shooting scripts so teamsters don't leave early when the shooting hits the bottom of the page.

They also denote a scene runs onto the next page in either action or dialogue.

It's the equivalent of typing READ THIS at the top of each page, and KEEP READING - NOT QUITE DONE YET, IT'LL BE OVER SOON - PROMISE, at the bottom.

Pointless really. Never use 'em.

YeahWrite · 06-26-2005, 05:56 PM

Character dialogue should have CONT'D when broken by action. The bottom of your pages would have (CONTINUED). I think Final Draft has these turned on by default. Movie Magic does not.

I turn the (CONTINUED) at the bottom and top of the page off because they serve no purpose in a writer's draft or spec script.

06-22-2005, 09:07 PM	#1
j over Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 2,831	The Use Of CONT'D Like many other potential frequently asked questions, opinions will most likely vary on the use of CONT'D in a script. There seems to be a slight trend in scripting now where some writers don't even use CONT'D at all, but what I wanted to know was in your opinion, is it still a valid factor and if so where is it valid in a script (as I've seen and heard of some misplacing this "word" in their scripts)?

06-22-2005, 09:10 PM	#2
Erehwon Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Nowhere Posts: 3,313	Re: The Use Of CONT'D I don't use them, and it was never a slap against me because I didn't.

06-22-2005, 10:04 PM	#3
Bad Liver Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: appropriately adverbless white space Posts: 1,574	Re: The Use Of CONT'D I turned those f'ers off in my latest script and it became three glorious pages shorter. So no more of 'em for me. __________________ It's a celebration, bitches.

06-22-2005, 10:23 PM	#4
TheKeenGuy Moderator Join Date: May 2005 Location: Norfolk, VA Posts: 3,337	Re: The Use Of CONT'D I'm used to them and find them helpful and that it makes the script easier to read, so I'm keeping them. It doesn't matter too much, though... No one will throw away a script only based on whether a scritp does or doesn't have them.

06-23-2005, 03:01 PM	#5
whistlelock Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: 26 miles south. Posts: 2,180	Re: The Use Of CONT'D I always thought it was an odd thing. Isn't it kinda obvious the story keeps going? Until the pages run out, anyway. __________________

06-23-2005, 05:02 PM	#6
MiaJuncus New User Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 15	Re: The Use Of CONT'D I think they are referring to the CONT'D that occur after a character's dialogue is broken up by action. Is this correct or no?

06-24-2005, 03:25 PM	#8
Jack0902 New User Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 14	Re: The Use Of CONT'D I use 'em, including in both of my scripts that were optioned. Neither producer on those scripts, nor my manager or agent have ever told me not to.

06-25-2005, 07:05 AM	#9
alipali Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: NY Posts: 630	Re: The Use Of CONT'D They are used in shooting scripts so teamsters don't leave early when the shooting hits the bottom of the page. They also denote a scene runs onto the next page in either action or dialogue. It's the equivalent of typing READ THIS at the top of each page, and KEEP READING - NOT QUITE DONE YET, IT'LL BE OVER SOON - PROMISE, at the bottom. Pointless really. Never use 'em. __________________ ENNIS spits in the palm of his hand, puts it on himself.

06-26-2005, 05:56 PM	#10
YeahWrite Regular Join Date: May 2005 Location: Burbank, CA Posts: 203	Re: The Use Of CONT'D Character dialogue should have CONT'D when broken by action. The bottom of your pages would have (CONTINUED). I think Final Draft has these turned on by default. Movie Magic does not. I turn the (CONTINUED) at the bottom and top of the page off because they serve no purpose in a writer's draft or spec script. __________________ YeahWrite Locate a Writer Locate an Actor (also by calling SAG 323.549.6737)

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