Art form to using ALL CAPS, italics, custom spacing, even font size & color in your screenplay

Magical when done correctly in a screenplay / disastrous when done too much, or on the wrong elements

GOOD MORNING, how ECSTATIC are you for TODAY’S ARTICLE?

I can’t hear you?

H o w

f l i p p i n ‘

e x c i t e d

a r e

YOU??? (Vomit and cringe!)

You get my point here; it’s gimmicky to use ALL CAPS & italics & custom spacing to grab attention merely for the sake of trying to wake an audience up. It’s a marketing ploy. I’ve seen it done more than I should. To each their own, but it’s not my cup of tea, and it’s certainly not how I like to write my scripts.

I do, however, want to make sure I draw there right amount of attention to integral plot-points, or emotion, without showing my cards too much. Breadcrumbs must be seen after all.

Basically, there’s an art form to using ALL CAPS, italics, custom spacing, even font size and color. It’s “style”. So none of it is necessary, at the end of the day. Some writers keep things clean, and simple, and do quite well. Know what you like and do it honestly.

An EXAMPLE of what the average bloke writer does:

John couldn’t see much in the dark, so he flipped on the LIGHTS. It took a moment for his eyes to adjust, and when they did, he could see a pool of BLOOD, gathering by his sneakers. And in the center of the room, was a body. Fresh. With a KNIFE plunged in the sternum.

John paled, and stumbled, only to SLIP in the blood, fall, and BLACK OUT.

Forgive me, as I wrote this on the spot, but the problem with a scene description like this is… well, it’s obvious. A KNIFE! BLOOD! LIGHTS ON! SLIPPING! EVERYTHING GOES BLACK, yadayada. Make every element dramatic and nothing holds any weight.