26 March 2011

Is the infamous "we see" really such a huge don't?

The question's come up in different places recently. Fact is, it's used a lot and yet screenwriters are always told not to use "we see" in scripts. The way I see it the issue isn't whether you use or or not use "we see" - the issue is whether you're a known or unknown quantity.
It's not what we see, it's what they see.
Fact is, if you do ANYTHING that gives ANYONE in the business the slightest chance of thinking of you as being an amateur, they will use that chance. These signs are format, spelling, script length and yes, also things like the famous "we see".

If you're fresh to the game you'll want to do everything you possibly can to avoid looking like an amateur.

Now - I'm not saying at all that the use of "we see" IS the sign of an amateur. It's simply something that makes it harder for you as a newcomer to get through the door - and it's something that makes it easier for the producer/agent/reader to toss your script. You know this to be true - they all have piles of stuff they're supposed to read and they use the above mentioned signs to lower their pile of scripts.

The reason why you see so many "we see"s in scripts is because, once you're a known quantity, anything goes. It really doesn't matter anymore.

So then - there's really nothing wrong with "we see" - some people hate it, some people couldn't care less (I personally use it sparingly as I also consider it to be a weak choice when it comes to telling a story) - but if you're a newbie, you should stay clear of it.
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2 comments:

BellaVida said...

I'm starting my Sci-Fi screenplay with a quote. Do I need to type?

We read: "quote"by cooldude

27 March, 2011 17:45
Daniel Martin Eckhart said...

I'd handle quotes the same as I handle any other type writing that needs to appear on screen such as dates, places, etc. - looks like this in my scripts:

CARD: New York, 1962

or

CARD: "Act I - The Kill"

29 March, 2011 02:59

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