Fade in to black

True, but I think you need to indicate what we're seeing. BLACK makes it clear without stopping the reader dead in his tracks.

I do it like this...


VOICE
It was supposed to go a hell of a lot better.

FADE IN:

EXT. MANHATTAN - DAYBREAK


That's how I do it... because you can't know who's speaking - we haven't met anyone yet. and you can't fade into blackness...
Best,
theturnaround

Wise words, Cap't, for which one case of Olde Sealegs Rum is on its way to you.:hat

maybe they won't do that to you because there's nothing wrong with opening a script like that.

Big ouch, that's me put in my lowly place.

-Derek

-----------------------

My Web Page - naked women, bestial sex, and whopping big lies.

They won't do that to me.

That's because I'm me.

:evil

Last time I posted an OVER BLACK with sound FX intro in Script Pages I got ripped up for ass paper! Tough audience!

-Derek

-----------------------

My Web Page - naked women, bestial sex, and whopping big lies.

I think the FADE IN: should come after whatever you want on the blackness.

Whats wrong with just:

BLACK

Captain's method is best.

That has a certain logic to it, actually. Thanks, all.

I did this with one of my scripts and also used Captain's approach.

you can't really "fade in" to black.

here is the opening of a script of mine in which i did something similar:

BLACKNESS

The sound of rain spattering on water.

Heavy, uneven breathing.

FADE IN:

EXT. OCEAN'S SURFACE -- NIGHT

Rain pounds on the water, creating billions of tiny explosions as the drops collide with the ocean's surface.

which is, of course, basically the same as edison's example.

Thanks, Edison. Much appreciated.

looks fine

or

OVER BLACK

DANNY (V.O.)
It was supposed to go a hell of a lot better.

FADE IN

EXT. MANHATTAN - DAYBREAK

Etc., etc.?