Screenwriting : Do i or don't i by Surina Nel

NO.

:D

Traditionally

INT/EXT. LOCATION - DAY/NIGHT - (CONT/LATER)

blah blah

Day and Night are good simply to establish time and lighting.

Though action may dictate overcast weather, a heatwave, etc...

I would consider Cont/Later superfluous unless the action does not make it clear that the time of day, year etc... has changed

However, as an afterthought, if the TIME is actually important and has some bearing on the script and scene then it may be practical. Again though not necessary.

If for example the time the police say they entered - and the time they claimed they entered were different.

EXT. NEL RESIDENCE - NIGHT - 2:00 AM

An Officer knocks on door - their features nonexistent in the dark.

INT. NEL RESIDENCE - DAY - 4:23 PM

Surina opens door.

The Officers features are lost in intensity of sunlight-

She squints.

The time is relevant - but the action indicates the change of time.

If story based on (debatable) FACTS - include time - and the possibility of a SUPER at some prior point.

Hopefully that helped more than confused.

Try to include DAY and NIGHT as a minimum - it will help you and any prospective reader.

thank you that makes perfect sense

In my screenplays I have NIGHT or DAY but in the description I have someone look at a clock or watch or have a verbal alarm go off announcing the time. At the minimum I'd use SUPER: (time) to have the time plastered on the screen. If a specific time is that integral to the story then it needs to be integrated into the visuals of the story.

The simple answer is; yes, no, maybe. It depends on scene flo. Time of day is important to the shooting schedule but once established, need not be repeated. Using DUSK, DAWN, EVENING, MORNING may be important to the story line but are a pain in the ass for a Director and Cinematographer because that 'golden hour' is in reality only about 10 minutes long. (Watch the opening scene in Juno - it tool 6 days to get.)

Depends on time zone and country.

Actually it would. If you are in the planning mode and you need Day and Night shooting, when some actors change time zones they have to adjust their schedules. Examples when I worked on my first novel and related writing, I had to adjust my schedule by 6 hours due to the new time zone.

Tasha - can you explain that? I'm kind of lost on that - but, then I never get up before 9:00 am no matter what time zone I'm in.

I would invest in a good book on this subject like the Screenwriter's Bible. It's just been released in its 7th edition and covers this exact question. I could answer it for you but I don't want to clog up the comments section. That book will answer a lot of questions and help to refine your craft.

Just put DAY or NIGHT, my characters have to travel and there are scenes in the morning, afternoon, evening etc, but in every scene I only have DAY or NIGHT in the headings.

I'm in agreement with Dan and Rosalind. Don't put time in there. Day or Night.

Only use time if there is a deadline everyone is up against like a timer on a pack of C4 or a hostage situation with demands based on time or a contest or sport that uses time.

Use MORNING AFTERNOON EVENING - All included in final draft and accepted by trottier and august (DAY - NIGHT accepted also, just be consistent.) If dusk or something is important include it in the action line - i.e. NIGHT in slug - “Dusk has fallen - in the action line.

Just a note - from what i learned CONT’D or continuous should only be used in secondary headings. Just my point of view - I’m sure they’re are those who disagree.

P.S. on screen you can’t tell if it’s 3:05 or 4:05 unless you use a “super” or a clock and those elong ion the action section.

Doug, when I write notes on my stuff, I add details like that to give a visual. Examples are when the daylight is different. In audio books or people who are visually impaired, they need a visual. Students come with all different learning styles so I also think like the Professor I am.

Dan, I will repeat what I just said. I have been an educator for more than 20 years. I think from a screenwriter, student and teacher standpoint. If someone with a disability needs for descriptors or information. I would include additional details for a visual.

Using the same time of day as the previous scene suggests it is a new day.

You can write SAME TIME, A SHORT TIME LATER, AN HOUR LATER, etc. if concurrent scenes happen at the same established time of day.

CONTINUOUS is ONLY to be used if the scene is an IMMEDIATE continuation of action from the previous scene.

I recommend only adding an actual clock time if it is pertinent to the story (like Groundhog Day), or if entire story happens within a very limited timeframe.

I teach other languages. (Day/Night Dia/Noche, Morning/Afternoon Manana/Tarde, etc.). So depending on the country, that would determine the word choice.

So screenwriters take note: The third element in scene headers must include the specific time zone (I assume +/- GMT). Good to know - I been doin' it wrong all these decades.

NIGHT and DAY.

Always indicate because that script will pass through many hands and minds which will need clarity especially on the picture interpretation. Avoid assumptions unless if it's for your own personal execution.