Times and dates can be confusing.
I recently just wrote a feature where one date is essential in the screenplay.
September 17th.
But how would you write this in a script?
How to write dates in a screenplay? You write dates in a script by placing the date in a SUPER or Superimposed subheading in your script.
Example:
INT. FOREST - DAY
SUPER: SEPTEMBER 17th
This subheading can also use this way for times in a script.
Example:
INT. FOREST - DAY
SUPER: 4:14 PM
Just understand that supers are placed onto a film in words like an opening a star wars film.
A super gives the reader and the audience the date right in their faces. You see this done on a lot of time travel movies, movies that skip time or location. It keeps everyone understanding the context of the situation.
How to write different times in a screenplay? You write different times in a script by writing at the end of the heading with the time you want to indicate.
This way is more for times of the day.
Examples:
INT. FOREST - DAY
INT. FOREST - MORNING
INT. FOREST - EVENING
INT. FOREST - LATER
INT. FOREST - NOON
INT. FOREST - AFTERNOON
INT. FOREST - NIGHT
It goes on and on, SUNSET, SUNRISE, etc.
Be careful with using this in a spec script. Most of the time, DAY and NIGHT is all you need and all you should write.
When it’s essential to use the other headings is if your script takes place in one day.
Example:
Before Sunrise (1995) The film takes place over one day. Therefore it’s necessary to tell the time of day. To show that the film doesn’t happen over an hour but thought the day.
When you Should Write Dates and Times in a Script
Dates and times shouldn’t be overused, but sometimes, the reader will get lost without them. Then and only then are they a must-have.
For example, in my script called Powerless, one of the characters can see the future, so when the vision ends, I had to indicate where we were in the timeline.
I used the super subheading to indicate the exact date we zoom back for.
It was needed even my script reader indicated it was.
Ask yourself:
Without out indicating a time or date, will the reader get confused?
If yes, use them.
Why you Shouldn’t Write Dates and Times in a Script
Some writers think it’s cool. They are consistently writing things you would only see in a tarentino film like:
PART 1, PART 2, LAST NIGHT, THE FOLLOWING WEEK
If your an unknown writer, this, even though cool to write, is the mark of an amateur. Stick to DAY and NIGHT. Once you sell a few scripts, you can then go off the rails.
The biggest thing you should take away from this is to have a reason for telling the reader.
Now its time to hear from you:
Which way are you going to use?
Do you have a good reason for using it?
Whatever your answer is, let’s hear it in the comments below.
Happy writing