I'm writing a stage play, but I'm still a little confused with the difference between parentheticals and stage direction. Can someone please explain the difference to me? So far I've been writing like this:

Bob:
(taking a seat)--parenthetical
blah blah blah this is where bob talks
He then gets up and begins to pace. --stage direction

is this correct? Or is what I have labeled as stage direction also a parenthetical? I'm confuzzled! Please help!

bitte und danke! :]

I think you have a good handle on it.

Basically there are two kinds of stage directions:

Staging Directions - these are indented five spaces and in parentheses. They're set off by one line from the dialogue if between characters or single spaced if within dialogue. They show action on stage, describe the scene and any movements, entrances, exits and/or important props.

Character Directions - these are what I think you're calling a parenthetical (which is what they're called in Screenplays). They're usually small directions, two or three words at most, usually present participles such as "sitting down", "pushing back" or reflect intonation that might not be gleaned otherwise like "sarcastically" or "whispering." They're not full sentences.

This page gives a few examples of these:

http://www.scriptfrenzy.org/howtoformatastageplay

NaNoWriMo & ScriptFrenzy Staff

I'm like you, poetic.

Basically, I think anything in parentheses are parentheticals! From the info on SF, both staging directions and character directions are at times parentheticals.

I'm using Celtx-I use the "stage directions" format option for opening scene directions and anytime I want the instructions to look like that (italicized). I use parentheticals for those small directions, or brief actions by one character.

I still haven't really figured out, though when to use the Celtx "transitions" format or the "text."

Later-correcting the formatting can all come later. When we have time and can keep things consistent throughout the script.

Saipanwriter
http://saipanwriter.blogspot.com

Thank you, that helps a lot.

Ditto, big thanks from here.

I'm using Celtix, too, but definitely don't have it all figured out. Nonetheless, it sure is easier than the formatting we did ourselves last year. You Celtix folks rock!

Does anyone know what "text" should be?

I figured "shot" should be left up to the director!

Is anyone using the index cards function? I have brief scene descriptions, but little else. Should I list characters and props? My scene headings are the INT. or EXT. with location, Day, time.

Amy
readfish_at_mchsi_dot_com

"Something good will come from the unpromising beginning . . .."
-- Soren Kierkegaard

I'm using Celtx, too! I have no clue what the "text" option is for. Maybe to write yourself/the actors a little note? Haha I don't know.

I started using the index card feature, but I didn't keep up with it. I know they also have a "story board" where you can organize your information. I haven't used it, though. I think that much organization is unhealthy. ^_^