What does (beat) mean?

Richard Alvarez · February 9th, 2005, 03:39 PM

I think some people might be missing the point of incidental direction in screenplays. Granted, BEAT can be overused, as any element can be misused, but it is not always there for the actor or director, it can actually help the READER.

Breaking up lines of dialogue is a way of showing the READER the delivery is stacatto. Using SPLIT COLLUMNS is a way of showing the READER the dialogue is simultaneous. (Just one way). Indicating (Whispers) is a way of informing the READER in realtime, of the way the line is delivered.

Theres a reason for Sound Effects to be in capital letters. The actor doesn't need it.

Think of BEAT as a type of punctuation, peculiar to screenwriting. Like all punctuation, it has a time and place for proper use. Is it overused by bad writers? Certainly. Does that mean it is never to be used. Hardly. You could say the same for ellipses and commas.

Marco Leavitt · February 9th, 2005, 03:48 PM

"You could say the same for ellipses and commas."
Hate 'em both! :) Just kidding.

February 9th, 2005, 03:39 PM	#16
Richard Alvarez Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: San Mateo, CA Posts: 3,840	I think some people might be missing the point of incidental direction in screenplays. Granted, BEAT can be overused, as any element can be misused, but it is not always there for the actor or director, it can actually help the READER. Breaking up lines of dialogue is a way of showing the READER the delivery is stacatto. Using SPLIT COLLUMNS is a way of showing the READER the dialogue is simultaneous. (Just one way). Indicating (Whispers) is a way of informing the READER in realtime, of the way the line is delivered. Theres a reason for Sound Effects to be in capital letters. The actor doesn't need it. Think of BEAT as a type of punctuation, peculiar to screenwriting. Like all punctuation, it has a time and place for proper use. Is it overused by bad writers? Certainly. Does that mean it is never to be used. Hardly. You could say the same for ellipses and commas.

February 9th, 2005, 03:48 PM	#17
Marco Leavitt Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Albany, NY 12210 Posts: 2,652	"You could say the same for ellipses and commas." Hate 'em both! :) Just kidding.