Is it OK in the first 20 pages of 110 page feature screenplay to have a montage? Montage shows protagonist becoming acquainted with life this is right after inviting incident. The character life is about to change. Script is a crime thriller.
Screenwriting : First 20 pages, setup by Christina L Johnson
First 20 pages, setup
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They are ready for a comeback. It became a lazy device in the 90's. Just do it well.
I think it depends on what you consider a montage. As John described above, there can be great exposition done with very little dialogue if it's really engaging. I'm reminded of the opening five minutes of Up where we see Carl and Ellie as kids and then their life together. Such a beautiful, heart-wrenching sequence. But these are rare and I'd use them with caution.
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You can use a montage anywhere you want to group small related scenes to show a passage of time. It doesn't matter if it is in the beginning, middle or toward the end of the script.
Bourne Identity has a quick montage of the fishing boat
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Montages work well if done well. Don't worry about using it!
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I don't necessarily think "montage" for a crime thriller, but as our fellow S32er William Martell says, "there are no rules, only tools."