Sometimes characters read. A sign, letter, note, computer screen, phone screens whatever you need. And it’s really simple to write.
How could you write this in a screenplay?
How do you write what a character is reading in a screenplay? You write what a character is reading in a screenplay by writing in caps the object they are reading “NOTE” Then write what they are reading. Followed by “BACK TO SCENE.”
Example:
James jogs over to the kitchen. A blue posted note hangs on the fridge.
NOTE
I had to leave without you - Mom
BACK TO SEEN
Essentially the word NOTE can be replaced with anything you want a character to read. You can even drop the BACK TO SCENE if you want.
But this is more for people reading in their head. What if they are reading out loud.
How to Write What a Character is Reading out loud
How to write what a character is reading out loud? To write what a character is reading you write it in the dialogue adding a “(reading)” parenthetical. Followed by Italazised dialogue to indicate it’s not the main character’s words but the words on the note.
Example:
James jogs over to the kitchen. A blue posted note hangs on the fridge. He rips it off.
James (reading)
I had to leave without you love, Mom.
Alternatively, you can use quotations (“) if you perfer that rather to the italazes. But whatever you do be consitant.
Example 2:
James jogs over to the kitchen. A blue posted note hangs on the fridge. He rips it off.
James (reading)
"I had to leave without you love, Mom."
With this method, there isn’t much of a close-up of the note itself. Just a shot of the person reading.
The other ways of writing what a character is reading are to do it by writing “INSERT – NOTE.” Followed by the words on the next line. Which you can do but it seems obtrusive and could through the reader out of the story. It’s totally up to you though.
Got it. Good.
Now its time to hear from you:
Did I miss anything?
Which method are you going to use?
Whatever your answer is let’s hear it in the comments below.
Happy writing.