I'm new to Script Frenzy and i'm not quite sure what I'd use the format 'transitions' for. I'm using the program scripped but I assume it'd be the same for any script writing.

And I don't want to sound like an idiot but 'montage' ?

Thanks for your help, in advance ;-) And good luck everyone !

Transition is just how you move from one scene to the next. usually, you just use CUT TO, unless you're going for a specific effect. DISSOLVE TO and FADE TO are popular if you're in a dream sequence, or going to sleep, or having a memory. JUMP CUT TO are used if you're say, in an action sequence and you want to make it really snappy and quick.

A montage is a collection of images used to speed up the passage of time. Think of the training scenes in the Rocky movies, or a makeover scene in a teen movie. you write it out as one scene like:

MONTAGE - MAKEOVER

Character sitting in hair salon chair. Stylist flutters around, cutting and spraying.

Character is in clothing store, while saleslady helps her pick out new clothes.

Character at a makeup chair with cucumbers over her eyes.

CUT TO:

you get the idea?

There are many different types of transitions that you can use, here are some:

FADE OUT: fades out to whatever the next scene is.

FADE TO BLACK: fades to black.

FADE TO WHITE: fades to white.

CUT TO: cuts to next scene, most common.

TIME CUT TO: Usually used for the same scene, maybe 5 minutes later or more

MATCH CUT TO: Used to match the last shot with a visually similar shot in the next scene

HARD CUT TO: Example: a shot from a beautiful quiet lake to someone screaming. A surprising transition, jarring.

QUICK CUT TO: used to cut to the next scene sooner than it seems like it would.

CUT TO BLACK: cuts to black slug/screen.

DISSOLVE TO: dissolves into the next scene.

RIPPLE DISSOLVE TO: Usually used for daydream.

WIPE TO: Not used too much, and I wouldn't recommend it, but it is still used. This transition wipes the new scene over the last. Too much in my opinion.

Hope these helped.

Elle Viane Sonnet
www.SonnetFilms.com

I would skip the use of transitions unless you really have a reason to add one. They're not really in favor for a spec script.

I agree with the person above. Don't worry about transitions until you're at a the shooting script.

A spec script is a script that is being written for the movie selling market. I agree with the two about me. Less is more in this case. Unless you are the writer and you plan to direct this script, then transitions are just fine, and once you get established anything goes... Usually once the spec is done, then it is handed over to the producer and director and they figure out the camera angles, the transitions and the scene numbers.

Elle Viane Sonnet
www.SonnetFilms.com

thanks for all these comments ! They're very helpful :-) I think I'll go without.