1. Avoid the obvious Keep it simple

CUT TO: a phone screen. CUT TO: Johnny CUT TO: a phone screen. CUT TO: Johnny CUT TO: a phone screen. etc.

3 Cinematic Film Techniques to Make On-Screen Texting Actually Look Good - Filmmaking scene

If it gets old after two sentences, you can only imagine how this plays out on screen--when you have to give the audience enough time to read each and every little emoji. Not to mention, it steals focus from your actors, whose reaction is the whole point of getting a text.

Instead, cut your texts in half. Do you really need sixteen shots of “Hey, I’m going to kill you” to show a character's in danger? By halving the number of texts in your script, you give more attention to your characters while keeping the essential.

2. Text with style Give your text flavor You’ve trimmed the fat and left in the most essential texts. You’re now ready to cut to a Samsung Galaxy 7, right? Maybe not. Taking a page from House of Cards and Sherlock, you can simply put the text on screen right next to the receiver.

3 Cinematic Film Techniques to Make On-Screen Texting Actually Look Good - Sherlock Text Message

This emphasizes character over technology, and draws your audience in giving them more to watch. Not to mention, it’s a much easier to slap on in post when you’re typing up the credits than film a close-up on a phone. Give your texts flavor though. While placing words next to your character is great, it’s only a place to start. By leaving out the sender name, you give the audience suspense. By changing the font, you describe character.

3. Open up your browser Showcase the desktop Back in the ‘80s, characters got their information from wise sensei's named Yoda. Today they use Google, which poses a troubling question: how do you show your characters surfing the internet in an interesting way?

3 Cinematic Film Techniques to Make On-Screen Texting Actually Look Good - Hackers film