My big question to a lot of successful screenwriters, is: "Does it have to be the director and DP who come up with these visual transitions, especially in relation to COLOR changes in objects to be used as transitions?" I've done this on some of my scripts, because the visual transition was really important for plot and character changes...and I didn't want to interrupt the reading and emotional flow with a TAG on the screen. But, I've also been gigged by a READER or two who assumed I was trying to direct on the page -- which I wasn't.

MARKT11, it's definitely true that screenplays have moved away from camera shots and directing lingo. One need only look at a script for a Hitchcock movie from the 50s and you'll note the difference immediately. This is actually a good thing, in my view, as screenplays, at least selling ones, in contrast to shooting scripts, are more 'literary' in nature. We can 'direct' the action by and large without using 'scripty' language. Use secondary slugs. Break up paragraphs so they imply individual camera shots. As far as color changes in transitions -- not sure exactly what that means -- but if you feel like it is ESSENTIAL to the telling of your story, then include it. However if the description only reflects some sort of aesthetic image in your head for how a transition should look and doesn't feel important, then yes, that could come across as you trying to direct the action. And script readers may very well ding you for it. So in theory, at least, not knowing anything about your script, I would suggest you look at those transitions in question and ask this simple question: Are they ESSENTIAL (in terms of the color issue)? What Kelly Marcel did in Saving Mr. Banks with all the flashbacks and transitions is an example of ESSENTIAL writing because she is acknowledging on the page what everyone reading the script knows: There are a buttload of transitions. Somebody has to smooth out each one of those time ellipses. The writer taking that on and doing so in an artful way, like Kelly has done, is a plus because it shows the writer is thinking cinematically.