Screenwriting : To (Cont) or not to (Cont) by F. Aaron Franklin

F. Aaron Franklin

To (Cont) or not to (Cont)

That is the question. Once upon a time, I thought it to be a no brainer. When a character's dialogue line is interrupted by a shot or action, you use a (Cont.) IE: Character Blah blah blah Something happens Character (Cont) Blah blah blah. The. I was told it was not necessary, and stopped using them. Then, in my latest coverage, I was told to use it. I know that a there's no exact science when it comes to certain formatting guidelines, but if there is a right or wrong, I'd love to know.

Anthony Cawood

Nope. There is no right or wrong, some writers use Cont, some don't... personally I'm in the latter camp.

Jake Dion Gomizelj

I would still do it, even though it can be tiring writing (CONT'D) over and over again. But it all comes down to the person who is going to be reading it. I think you should still put it in there because you don't know how someone would respond to you not using the correct directions. Play it safe.

J Medina

Final DRaft software adds "contd" automatically.

Beth Fox Heisinger

Yes, it is a writer's choice, however for a spec script it really isn't necessary and often just clutters up the page. Ideally, you want your script to be lean and clean. You can easily turn off the automatic setting in Final Draft. "CONT'D" may be needed if a section of dialogue breaks onto the following page. Then, at the top of the next page: BOB (CONT'D) Blah, blah, blah.

D Marcus

I don't do it. I feel it's not necessary.

Phillip E. Hardy, "The Real Deal"

FAF: Great question! I never do mores or continueds. In the past, I've had several readers say it annoyed them.

F. Aaron Franklin

Thanks to all.

William Martell

I don't do it (more room for other stuff).

Danny Manus

Nope, not necessary. But you do have to restate the character's name.

Cherie Grant

FD puts it in automatically so I don't mess with it. As for 'more room for other stuff' it's right next to the name so doesn't take up any room in the script.

Emi Sano

I'm with Cherie on this one. I let FD do their thing when it comes to that. You can always shut that option off in the formatting settings. But I have been through several screenwriting classes at my school and my professors (who are in the writing business right now) never said to stop using them on characters. I think they said to stop using them on the bottom and top of the pages with the (CONTINUED) (MORE) for the scene continuations??

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