Describing something that's on a TV or computer screen...

[Ted Smith]

I've been wondering about this for a while so I figured I'd finally get some opinions. I have a few scenes where action pertinent to the story takes place on a TV show and in another scene we see a relevant photo on a computer screen. So far, I've been writing it like this...


ON THE TV - then I place the action / description here.


But I've also seen it done this way...


ON THE TV

then the action / description is placed here.


I've seen both done but I didn't know if one was more accepted than the other. Though, I obviously prefer the first one because it saves space. Or is saying "ON THE TV" considered directing? Is there another way I should try altogether? I've seen a dozen different ways but mostly in older scripts. Is "INSERT" relevant here? Is "INSERT" even used anymore?

Also, if I went with one of the options above, when I cut to a reaction of someone watching the show, should I format it like...


MIKE - then I place the action here.


or


MIKE

then I place the action here.


or simply


Mike then I place the action here.

Then back to the show.


I'm trying to save as much space as possible, but I also want to be semi-subtle as to not "direct" the scene. I just want to do what's right / acceptable.

I know this is minor but it's been bugging the hell out of me lately. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

[Deus Ex Machine]

Re: Describing something that's on a TV or computer screen..

There is no single right way to do this. All that matters is you are consistent in your use of a format that clearly and concisely expresses the story.

ON TV

A reporter smiles in front of a burning hospital.

This is just as good as

ON TV: A reporter smiles in front of a burning hospital.

or

ON TV - A reporter smiles in front of a burning hospital.

Use whatever you think is easy to read and understand.

[nickj]

Re: Describing something that's on a TV or computer screen..

For me, it's a matter of space. ON THE TV as a separate line usually looks better, but it's a whole extra two lines.

In some ways it feels like cheating--the scene on the TV will have to lit and shot--not to have a separate slug, but two lines is two lines.

Edited to add: Character names (or props) as mini-slugs always looks tacky.

[Ted Smith]

Re: Describing something that's on a TV or computer screen..

Thanks for the help, guys. I appreciate it.

[Revisionist]

Re: Describing something that's on a TV or computer screen..

Depending on how much black is on that particular page with back to back three line action blocks, the single line for...

ON TELEVISION

May actually work in your favor by providing a glimmer of white hope for any reader that's on their third script for the day and is looking for any reason to toss down this one.

And yes, yes we all know that a GREAT story isn't going to get throw down for something that stupid but a break in the black is a good idea now and again to keep it from lookin' like a novel... And no one said it was a great story, yet...

I would think that the separate line/separate shot thing would be the proper format to use in a spec, and definitely in a production script.