Angle On

[tavis sarmento]

Wondering what people think about using the descriptive element "angle on" in the action text? I've seen a few pro scripts recently that have utilized it sparingly, and I kind of like how it helps breaks up blocks of text and focuses the attention. Mostly I equate it with a close up shot. You?

[Ven]

Re: Angle On

Don't use it in a spec script.

Angle on what? You can just write the description so the mind's eye focuses on whatever you want to angle on, without interrupting the reader.

[tavis sarmento]

Re: Angle On

The Ends of the Earth

"Angle on BEN WILCOX, 26, handsome. And at the moment, more or less drunk."

"Angle on Wilcox watching. The couple is graceful and radiant."

Or similar moments like this:

"ON Lydie. Her face is reflected in the window, over the dark plains passing by."

"ON Ernest, standing at the door."

What I like is how it helps orient us to where we are specifically looking. A lot of the notes I've seen in the Script Pages section relate to the reader not being clear what they are seeing. This would seem to be a simple way to help clear that up.

Or is it a major no-no?

[Ven]

Re: Angle On

It's a major no-no.

[BurningWorld]

Re: Angle On

I use it all the time.

[Mac H.]

Re: Angle On

It's a popular technique in professionally written scripts.

You'll often hear a bizarre idea that amateurs shouldn't make their scripts look like professionally written scripts or use similar techniques to those found in professionally written scripts.

Here's some alternative advice:

http://messageboard.donedealpro.com/...&postcount=234

Read fifty scripts from pro writers, see how they use all the things that people are telling you not to do.

Take what you want. Leave the rest.

Mac

[ATB]

Re: Angle On

Not a major no-no but there are better ways to convey the same thing.

Instead of...

"Angle on BEN WILCOX, 26, handsome. And at the moment, more or less drunk."

"Angle on Wilcox watching. The couple is graceful and radiant."

Or similar moments like this:

"ON Lydie. Her face is reflected in the window, over the dark plains passing by."

"ON Ernest, standing at the door."

... how about:

BEN WILCOX

26, handsome. And at the moment, more or less drunk.


WILCOX

watching. The couple is graceful and radiant.


LYDIE'S FACE

reflected in the window, over the dark plains passing by.


ERNEST

standing at the door.

It's a method of directing the camera without calling attention to it. I'm actually cool with ON LYDIE or ON ERNEST but angle on puts a bad taste in my mouth. Don't like it.

[Why One]

Re: Angle On

I don't think it's a major no-no either. I use it when I want to focus on something specific in the same scene at a particular viewpoint -- some object or face or scene POV. Usually feel for it in the narrative or the scene's rhythm. I don't use it often, but sometimes the moment calls for an ANGLE ON or ANOTHER ANGLE.

[SundownInRetreat]

Re: Angle On

It's a major no-no.

It's perfectly fine.

I've even used it on the opening pages of scripts. In conjucntion with pull back or push in it becomes extremely powerful and evocative.

[Ven]

Re: Angle On

For those saying it's perfectly fine and you use it all the time...

Can you specify whether you are:
1. writing on assignment
2. or writing spec

And if spec, can you also specify whether you sold one of these specs littered with camera directions?

thanks

[DavidK]

Re: Angle On

It's a major no-no.

Sorry, but that's nonsense. Like any other conventional device used sparingly and appropriately to frame something, it works fine. Maybe it's used less now than it was in the 1990s, doesn't matter. It's possible to achieve the same effect in different ways, but that doesn't matter, the writer can use whatever device they like if it works. "Angle on" has been used for years; anyone in the industry knows what it means.

[SundownInRetreat]

Re: Angle On

For those saying it's perfectly fine and you use it all the time...

Can you specify whether you are:
1. writing on assignment
2. or writing spec

And if spec, can you also specify whether you sold one of these specs littered with camera directions?

thanks

1. Plenty of specs have sold.
2. Hollywood doesn't care. Just like it doesn't care about any other myths you may care to name.



And if in doubt....you've the same word from DavidK, who's inside Hollywood.

[Why One]

Re: Angle On

Yeah, was just reading THE IMITATION GAME, Graham Moore's breakthrough script (the one that sold for 7 figures and was in the blacklist), which uses ANGLE ON.

[Mac H.]

Re: Angle On

For those saying it's perfectly fine and you use it all the time...

Can you specify whether you are:
1. writing on assignment
2. or writing spec

And if spec, can you also specify whether you sold one of these specs littered with camera directions?

Ven,

When I read specs that have sold I see 'ANGLE ON' used on occasion - just like I see every other style variation used on occasion.

No - they aren't my specs (I don't use 'ANGLE ON' .. and I'm still a crap writer) ... but the simple fact is that specs with 'ANGLE ON' do sell.

Do you need to have Graham Moore come here and answer you personally .. or is it enough that there are plenty of examples of it happening ?

Why do people believe differently when:

1. We see specs with 'ANGLE ON' selling -AND-
2. We have people who buy specs and agents & managers who rep them come here and tell us that it isn't a problem ?

Mac
(PS: To avoid re-hashing previous conversations here's a link: http://messageboard.donedealpro.com/...&postcount=185 )

(PPS: Jeff Lowell seems to regularly sell spec scripts - and I've certainly seen 'ANGLE ON' used in one of his non-spec ones .. so I suspect that he uses that style. Why not ask him ?)

[fanatic_about_film]

Re: Angle On

Don't know where this 'major no-no' idea is coming from.

It's a major yes-yes it it helps convey your meaning better. As with anything, use sparingly. Use it when you need it.

Saying that, personally I think there are better, less obtrusive ways to convey the same thing, but there is literally no one who care that you use it, so go ahead if you have to. Just use it well.