Ellipses vs. (beat)

[ChipC]

Okay...I confess...I am an Ellipse-aholic. The character talks...he pauses while he/she thinks...ellipses make a more natural pause than (beat). I've found that some readers are really bugged out about them and insist on using (beat). Others never mention it.

What do you guys/gals do? I suppose I could have 2 versions - 1 for ellipse haters and 1 for (beat) haters!

Odd question I know but it's bugging me! chip

[sppeterson]

Re: Ellipses vs. (beat)

I don't use (beat) very often -- but when I do it's usually for two reasons: 1) make the pause longer; 2) set off the next line of dialog on its own to highlight it because I think it's important or impactful.

[Signal30]

Re: Ellipses vs. (beat)

Generally speaking, I look at it this way...

*cocks head*

Wait... okay. If you throw in (beat), it looks like you're overtly telling the actor or director what to do. Actors and directors don't like the writer telling them what to do. Now, with ellipses...

... you imply. Makes the unspoken (beat) seem like their idea. Which makes them happy.

[dwest]

Re: Ellipses vs. (beat)

I try to never use beat or ellipses. If there is a pause in dialogue I break it up with action. Something measured almost like a tell in poker. It gives insight into the character too. Show the tension or the reluctance to speak. Have a character rub his nose, or swirl his drink, look at his shoes etc. Show him composing his thoughts or obviously delaying his answer. Try to think of how you react to uncomfortable conversations. Body language is very crucial to tense scenes. Ellipses are better than beat because I feel like beat is directing. But I think you should strive to use neither. Ellipsis can be used appropriately though, when a sentence just sort of dies off...

[TwoBrad Bradley]

Re: Ellipses vs. (beat)

In my mind you are comparing apples to oranges because a "beat" used in dialogue has nothing to do with a pause.

The actor/directer is going to pause, or not pause, wherever they want.

A "(beat)" in dialogue is used to indicate a change in direction in the delivery (voice inflection, body language, facial expression, tone, pace, subject matter, etc.) of that dialogue. And the actor can even to choose not to pause.

(Bad) example:
BOB
This diner serves the best apple
pie.
(beat)
My mother made the best pie in
the whole town.
(beat)
Do you want to share a slice?

[peasblossom]

Re: Ellipses vs. (beat)

Sounds like the use of "beat" here, is exactly how it is used in actor circles - ie, a "beat change", a change in the intention behind the words or action. So, for me, I never use "beat" because it really feels like you're directing the actors instead of letting them figure out where the beats are.

[NikeeGoddess]

Re: Ellipses vs. (beat)

except for certain instances. i recall a moment in clueless when out lead is walking down the street thinking in voice over. then all of a sudden she sees a dress in a shop window that breaks her train of thought. that's a necessary beat change.

[Kwinnky]

Re: Ellipses vs. (beat)

Okay...I confess...I am an Ellipse-aholic. The character talks...he pauses while he/she thinks...ellipses make a more natural pause than (beat). I've found that some readers are really bugged out about them and insist on using (beat). Others never mention it.

What do you guys/gals do? I suppose I could have 2 versions - 1 for ellipse haters and 1 for (beat) haters!

Odd question I know but it's bugging me! chip

Generally speaking, I look at it this way...

*cocks head*

Wait... okay. If you throw in (beat), it looks like you're overtly telling the actor or director what to do. Actors and directors don't like the writer telling them what to do. Now, with ellipses...

... you imply. Makes the unspoken (beat) seem like their idea. Which makes them happy.

What they said. I want the reader to be engrossed in the script and read as little stage directions as possible. "..." seems less intrusive than (beat).

[Biohazard]

Re: Ellipses vs. (beat)

BOB
Bunghole.

MARY
Stop saying bunghole!

BOB
Okay, I'll stop saying bunghole.
(beat)
Bunghole.


Sorry, that's the best example I can grab off the top of my head.

[ChipC]

Re: Ellipses vs. (beat)

Generally speaking, I look at it this way...

*cocks head*

Wait... okay. If you throw in (beat), it looks like you're overtly telling the actor or director what to do. Actors and directors don't like the writer telling them what to do. Now, with ellipses...

... you imply. Makes the unspoken (beat) seem like their idea. Which makes them happy.

Signal - I am SO glad you clarified that to be a direction for the actor's head!

[mikeb]

Re: Ellipses vs. (beat)

I use beats in my script and I don't think it hurts anything. My most recent one had 55 in a 116-page script. No one has ever complained, and I doubt anyone will. They want to read a good story.

[mikeb]

Re: Ellipses vs. (beat)

Actually, 54. One was describing a "beater" car.

I could probably lose a few, I just don't care. I like the way it sounds when I read it in my head and when I have it table-read, so if an actor ever gets my script and decides to take a sharpie to all my "beats," go for it, I won't complain.

[ChipC]

Re: Ellipses vs. (beat)

Then I would gather that the consensus is while some of our most important first audience members (the readers) are turned off by ellipses, they aren't turned off by (beats).

I'll go with the (beats) rather than risk some reader tossing my script
into the Abused Ellipses pile! Thanks everyone! Chip

[Popcorntreect]

Re: Ellipses vs. (beat)

I use ellipses followed by an action line.

[bierhound]

Re: Ellipses vs. (beat)

i remember the first page of Basic Instinct being completely littered with ellipses. and i mean littered. didn't cause any problems for joe.

come to think of it, there's shedloads of beats in there too.

go figure.