How do I write transitions between thinking and speaking?
I've just downloaded an open-source script-writing program, and have started converting the scripts for an anime I've been writing into industry-standard formatting.
There are a few points in the scripts where a character says something out loud, then immediately thinks something else (which the audience hears in voiceover), or thinks something and then says something else out loud. In my (not-at-all industry-formatted) scripts, I've indicated these like so:
CHARACTER: Follow me, and stay quiet. We'll be out of here shortly. (in thought) I hope.
Or:
CHARACTER: (in thought) This isn't good. (out loud) Guys, we need to get out of here now--
I already know that I need to change "(in thought)" to "(V.O.)", but other than that, how do I convert these into industry-standard formatting?
1 answer
There isn't a standard, companies use different styles. The most common formatting for inner monologue is italics. Applying it to your texts give us:
CHARACTER: Follow me, and stay quiet. We'll be out of here shortly. I hope.
and
CHARACTER: This isn't good. Guys, we need to get out of here now--
For reference, check out Netflix's guidelines, the relevant points to the topic are I.9. and II.12.
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