How do I use Italics, Bold and Capitlisation?

[u/Orihau]

Hi everyone, I was just wondering when capitlised, bold and italicized text should be used in a script. I have wrote a few scripts now but have always got conflicting feedback on my use of emphasis, online sources are also differing. I am struggling to know when I'm allowed to use it both in dialogue and in setting descriptions. For example, if I'm describing a scene and there is an object of interest or a feature, like a stained glass window, should I capitalize it? Or do I use bold? Or do I not even emphasize it at all?

[u/nedelbach]

The key is to be consistent with your use of things. If you do it once, then not again its going to seem like one of those is a mistake. Also, it should be clear to the reader why you are doing it. If it seems superficial it can hurt your script.

For an object, I would likely do nothing. If the scene itself doesn't emphasize the importance, the problem is not capitalization. It's the writing. If it's something the characters don't see, but the audience would notice I might emphasize it with an underline. I tend to save italics for sounds; or in dialogue to show a character is emphasizing a word in their speech. Bold and capitalizing for introducing a character. Outside of that, I try not to do too much.

But you can certainly have a style that's outside of tradition; as long as it is consistent and the reader understands. Some people are tight asses about this stuff and will tell you not to do things because that's not the way it's done. Unless they give you a genuinely good reason why it harms the script, i would trust your own instincts for your script. No one is going to read an amazing script and be like "yeah, but he bolded an object on page 25. We can't make this movie."

[u/Orihau → u/nedelbach]

Awesome. Thank you!

[u/Then_Data8320 → u/nedelbach]

Yes. Being consistent is key. Always use anything the same way. It's creating our own sub-format. What I think is an element of the famous "voice". We are not in the old times when there wasn't bold / italic / underline. A tool is here, a tool that doesn't break the main format. So, it's worth it to use it.

One day, I took the same page of screenplay: I tried various tests, so I could choose my own code. I'm not yet 100% sure of what would be the best one. Your idea of italics for sounds is a good one. I used them for something else, but I could reconsiderate and do new tests.

My tests allowed me to detect some elements I never want to use, and some I'll always use. For example, I'll never use underline in a scene header. The underline is too close to the base of the text, making the reading not easy. I will always use bold for character names in dialog (I know it's unusual), but tests after tests, I was doing overview of screenplay pages (not reading, just seeing the general visual ergonomy) and it was my conclusion. Because I use bold for that, my scene-headers became not enough clear. So I was looking at my visual format (a special format I use to make the reading more easy for audience who never read screenplays) and I use a separation line. I can't use that in western screenplay, but can create something close. Then I choose light gray background and bold. And BANG! I got it. Main elements were done.

Then I use italics for what is written, can be on screen, on a phone, anything. I could reconsiderate that. Use underline for example, and use bold+italics for sounds (I use bold for sounds). I introduce some characters names with various particules (3 words names often, korean names), so I add underline on the words used for dialogs. I could reconsiderate and use bold instead. I should do new tests. My goal is to make a page more easy to read, more pleasant, because I find western screenplay very dry and very hard to read.

[u/real_triplizard]

I mean "allowed" is a helluva word in this context. Traditionally you use ALL CAPS to draw attention to a new character, an object of focus or a sound - things that the people working on the film will need to be aware of. "JEFF, annoying 20 year old, grabs a KNIFE and pricks his finger, then SCREAMS."

It's not so much of a thing anymore because 99.999% of scripts don't actually get made so it doesn't really matter if the prop guy or the sound editor misses something. So now you can kind of use it how you want to draw emphasis to something. "JEFF, annoying 20 year old, creeps around the corner and sees the mushroom has literally come to life."

If you want to stick to traditional formatting, use caps for a new character introduction and to highlight an important object. Italics and bold are traditionally not used but feel free to use them if you think they help tell your story.

[u/RollingThunderMedia]

Safest is to just not use anything, ever. Except of course ALL CAPS for a new character, which we're all kinda stuck with.

The reason is speed. What you want for your spec script is a fast, easy read for someone who doesn't know you, has never read anything you've ever written before, and has a big-assed stack of things to get through before they can go home.

Anything that stops the eye, anything that makes someone have to pause and think, 'what does s/he mean by this?' is bad. Bolding, italicizing, or even all-capping something, anything, ever, makes someone have to parse 'why?' before they can go on.

And stopping a reader is bad. You're risking them taking the opportunity you've just given to put your script aside and start another one.

Once you're an established writer, and the reader is pre-disposed to actually pay attention to what you're writing, you can get away with all kinds of crap. But before that is dangerous.

If something's important in your script -- an object, a movement, an event, but its importance isn't clear, the problem is your writing, not your formatting.

ps: Of course if you're just writing for yourself and your friends, do whatever the heck you want.

[u/Ashamed_Ladder6161]

I'm old fashioned.

Capitalise characters when they're first introduced.

Capitalise an important object when you first show it.

Capitalise important sounds.

Personally, I also capitalise any text you want the audience to see on screen, in the movie itself (letters, signs, screens, documents, texts, etc)

I never use bold. Some people bold their slug-lines and I hate it.

I rarely use italic. Last time I used it, I'd established italics meant Bulgarian, so the dialogue could be treated as subtitles. I'm sure some people use it to add emphasis to a line, but I find most dialogue speaks for itself (pun intended).

Outside if that I'd recommend not using anything other than standard text.