An Un-beat-able Strategy

AN UNBEATABLE STRATEGY 

By 

Dave Trottier 

NOTE:  This is the third in a series of three articles.  Please read “Slug and Beat” before reading this article.  

QUESTION

Dr. Format, what thoughts do you have on the use of the term "beat" in dialogue?  According to Denny Martin Flinn, we should not use the term.  He says to write "pause" or to detail the intended beat with a specific action.

ANSWER

I am in with Flinn.  The term "beat" is a theatrical term and, although you see it in many shooting scripts and in Joe Ezsterhaus’s spec scripts, you can certainly find something more exciting than "beat."  After all, you are a creative writer. Which of the following three examples creates more interest and characterizes the character?

                   JANE

        Ed Darling, I want you   
        to know...

              (beat)

        ... how much I love you.

                   JANE

        Ed Darling, I want you   
        to know...

              (eyes mist up)

        ... how much I love you.

                   JANE

        Ed Darling, I want you          
        to know...        
              (suddenly sneezing      
               all over Ed)

        ... how much I love you.

None of the three examples will win any prizes, but certainly the first is the boring one.  The second is dramatic.  The third is funny (or disgusting).   Here is the point.  The word "beat" is the most colorless, lifeless term you can use to indicate a pause.  Instead, use specific words that add to the story or help characterize your character.

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