Comments on: Q&A: Simple Present vs. Present Progressive (“-ing”) Verb Tense http://www.screenwriter-to-screenwriter.com/2009/07/qa-simple-present-vs-present-progressive%e2%80%9c-ing%e2%80%9d-verb-tense/ Screenwriting Tips from One Writer to Another Mon, 09 Jan 2012 06:26:45 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Vishnu http://www.screenwriter-to-screenwriter.com/2009/07/qa-simple-present-vs-present-progressive%e2%80%9c-ing%e2%80%9d-verb-tense/comment-page-1/#comment-17084 Vishnu Fri, 17 Jun 2011 18:56:44 +0000 http://www.screenwriter-to-screenwriter.com/?p=291#comment-17084 I've always been writing in simple present not knowing its the rule but, How to write a scene which was unfolding even before we witness it(like in media res) eg: is it ok to write "Mike is reading the last page of the magazine when the receptionist entered" or is it "Mike reads the last page of the magazine. The receptionist enters". Not sure if my example really projected the need but I seriously could not decide which one seemed appropriate. And is there any exception to the simple present. You've mentioned people use other tenses on rare occasions. It will be very helpful if you could enlighten me by citing an example of such occurrence. Thank you I’ve always been writing in simple present not knowing its the rule but,

How to write a scene which was unfolding even before we witness it(like in media res) eg: is it ok to write “Mike is reading the last page of the magazine when the receptionist entered” or is it “Mike reads the last page of the magazine. The receptionist enters”. Not sure if my example really projected the need but I seriously could not decide which one seemed appropriate.

And is there any exception to the simple present. You’ve mentioned people use other tenses on rare occasions. It will be very helpful if you could enlighten me by citing an example of such occurrence. Thank you

]]> By: Monica http://www.screenwriter-to-screenwriter.com/2009/07/qa-simple-present-vs-present-progressive%e2%80%9c-ing%e2%80%9d-verb-tense/comment-page-1/#comment-15703 Monica Wed, 25 May 2011 07:15:33 +0000 http://www.screenwriter-to-screenwriter.com/?p=291#comment-15703 The active voice is more impactful. This underscores my point about the literary voice, which doesn't translate intuitively to the screenplay. Scripts, in general, are about how the protagonist is propelled through the world. In that case, I am not sure what specific benefit you would have in writing "a fire is seen." Seen by whom, in what context? Why not just state the context explicitly. The protagonist sees the fire. Better yet, detail the protagonist's relationship to the fire - did the protagonist start the fire and then runs away? Does she run directly into the fire? If the active voice is still unclear, read more screenplays. The active voice is more impactful. This underscores my point about the literary voice, which doesn’t translate intuitively to the screenplay. Scripts, in general, are about how the protagonist is propelled through the world. In that case, I am not sure what specific benefit you would have in writing “a fire is seen.” Seen by whom, in what context? Why not just state the context explicitly. The protagonist sees the fire. Better yet, detail the protagonist’s relationship to the fire – did the protagonist start the fire and then runs away? Does she run directly into the fire?

If the active voice is still unclear, read more screenplays.

]]> By: Tom http://www.screenwriter-to-screenwriter.com/2009/07/qa-simple-present-vs-present-progressive%e2%80%9c-ing%e2%80%9d-verb-tense/comment-page-1/#comment-9844 Tom Sun, 30 Jan 2011 15:34:18 +0000 http://www.screenwriter-to-screenwriter.com/?p=291#comment-9844 The word "passive" here is a rather generic term and not as specific as "passive voice" (is done) Vs. "active voice" (does). Is passive voice also pretty much taboo? Should one write, "We see a fire." Rather than "A fire is seen," for example? The word “passive” here is a rather generic term and not as specific as “passive voice” (is done) Vs. “active voice” (does). Is passive voice also pretty much taboo? Should one write, “We see a fire.” Rather than “A fire is seen,” for example?

]]> By: Screenwriting Tips | Tyler Leisher http://www.screenwriter-to-screenwriter.com/2009/07/qa-simple-present-vs-present-progressive%e2%80%9c-ing%e2%80%9d-verb-tense/comment-page-1/#comment-3233 Screenwriting Tips | Tyler Leisher Sun, 08 Aug 2010 05:27:20 +0000 http://www.screenwriter-to-screenwriter.com/?p=291#comment-3233 [...] #4: Write in Present Tense (Present Tense – John August – Simple Present vs Present Progressive) When writing a screenplay, you are describing something that is happening right at this [...] [...] #4: Write in Present Tense (Present Tense – John August – Simple Present vs Present Progressive) When writing a screenplay, you are describing something that is happening right at this [...]

]]> By: Screenwriting Tips | Tyler Leisher Resume http://www.screenwriter-to-screenwriter.com/2009/07/qa-simple-present-vs-present-progressive%e2%80%9c-ing%e2%80%9d-verb-tense/comment-page-1/#comment-2630 Screenwriting Tips | Tyler Leisher Resume Mon, 19 Jul 2010 19:36:08 +0000 http://www.screenwriter-to-screenwriter.com/?p=291#comment-2630 [...] #4: Write in Present Tense (Present Tense – John August – Simple Present vs Present Progressive) When writing a screenplay, you are describing something that is happening right at this [...] [...] #4: Write in Present Tense (Present Tense – John August – Simple Present vs Present Progressive) When writing a screenplay, you are describing something that is happening right at this [...]

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