March 02, 2010, 09:21:34 PM

Dunno if anyone can help me. How do you write laughter in a script? I'm talking evil maniac bwah-ha-ha type laughing, but I suppose it applies to anything.

Is it speech? ie

EVIL GENIUS: Bwah-ha-hah!

Is it SFX? ie

SFX: Bwah-ha-ha!

Is it SFX linked to a source? ie

SFX (Evil genius): Bwah-ha-ha!


I've written it as speech, but somehow having "ha ha ha" in a speech bubble doesn't seem quite right.

Any help appreciated muchly.
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March 02, 2010, 09:31:15 PM

I've written it as speech, but somehow having "ha ha ha" in a speech bubble doesn't seem quite right.

It's always been at my discretion when lettering as to whether its SFX or dialogue -- depends how uproarious the artist has drawn the character's laughing, and what best fits the artwork.

Cheers!

Jim

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March 02, 2010, 09:41:45 PM

If you can't find it much in the comics you read, chances are writers don't write in the laughter on account of it distracting the reader and convey the sharing of the mirth via dialogue...unless you are writing for a character such as The Joker and want to draw attention to it. Not everything that happens in real life works on the page.
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March 02, 2010, 09:47:10 PM

Cheers, chaps
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March 02, 2010, 09:58:30 PM

I've only written laughter once, but it was FX, as it tied several panels together...but then, I'm no pro so I could have really fucked up with that (and shouldn't give any advice whatsoever).

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