: Re: Should you specify camera action in a film script? Some scripts I read specify the exact camera angle of every shot-- where the camera starts, what we see, how it will move during the scene.

@Tiffany377

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Screenwriters don't specify shots or camera angles -- that's the job of the director and cinematographer. Since you know nothing about the actual production when you're writing the script, such information would be entirely hypothetical and largely useless.

As the screenwriter, you should specify the setting and time in the scene's slug line, using INT. or EXT. for interior or exterior, a brief description of the setting, and DAY or NIGHT for the time of day.

INT. JOE'S GARAGE - NIGHT

Sometimes it might be necessary to include some additional information, i.e. if it's important that the scene be taking place at dawn, include that.

EXT. ARIZONA DESERT - DAY (DAWN)

Or, if it's a flashback you might need to include some information to indicate the change in set (if it's not obvious from the dialogue or action).

EXT. NEW YORK CITY STREET (1933) - DAY

Beyond those broad strokes, almost everything is a production decision, not a script decision.

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