In his blog and podcast, John August has spoken a couple of times against (sort of) the use of “CONTINUOUS” in scene headings instead of the time of the day, because it makes things harder once the script goes into production and those scenes need to be scheduled. His reasoning seemed very sensible to me (I probably would write INT. PLACE – DAY (CONTINUOUS) or something along those lines.)
I can see how the same argument could be made for using scene headings like in this example from the Californication pilot:
But if I go over those scene headings to make them more production friendly, I find it hurts the read, the sequence loses some of its momentum. I'd assume that the drafts a spec goes through during production already take care of this, that those changes are then made, and that a spec script should focus in the way the reader is going to experience it.
What are your thoughts on this? Has it ever been a problem using simplified scene headings? I must say I hadn’t given it much thought until John mentioned it (he also pointed out that sometimes if a writer uses “CONTINUOUS” instead of the time of the day, the reader can find himself having to check the previous scene to see whether it’s day or night, which is a fair point.)
I can see how the same argument could be made for using scene headings like in this example from the Californication pilot:
Code:
He can't find his shoes. Or his pants. And the FOOTSTEPS are getting closer. He shrugs. Starts to go. Returns for a kiss and then tears ass through the sliding glass doors... OUT ONTO A STRETCH OF MALIBU BEACHFRONT A postcard-worthy snapshot of SoCal bliss that Hank has neither the time or the luxury to appreciate. He creeps along the side of the house, wincing at ALL THE YELLING coming from inside, finally ending up... IN THE DRIVEWAY Where his DIRTY BLACK PORSCHE awaits. He hops in the car... fires it up... Billy Idol's cover of The Doors' "L.A. Woman" playing on the stereo...
What are your thoughts on this? Has it ever been a problem using simplified scene headings? I must say I hadn’t given it much thought until John mentioned it (he also pointed out that sometimes if a writer uses “CONTINUOUS” instead of the time of the day, the reader can find himself having to check the previous scene to see whether it’s day or night, which is a fair point.)
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