Screenwriting : Day- Night- Later by Amelia Fergusson

No, it is used in spec scripts to denote that the scene occurs within the same day, written as for example EXT: HUDSON HARBOR - DAY - LATER

These are for specs, all the LATERs, CONTINUOUS, etc, need to be converted to DAY or NIGHT for shooting.

Thanks everyone! :-)

I agree.

Just got on board,glad to be here. Looking forward to working and collaborating with great people!

Basically, in spec scripts, just stick to DAY/NIGHT unless a particular time is important to the story. (It tells the production crew what stuff to pack on the truck.) You can use CONTINOUS as a translation from one scene to another ie: INT-LIVING ROOM DAY to INT-KITCHEN CONTINOUS. (Camera breakdown & set-up.) Using LATER implies remaining in the same scene ie: INT-LIVING ROOM DAY to LATER (it's the same scene so you don't need a scene header.) Shooting scripts are a whole different critter and unless you are the Director, you really don't need to worry much about that stuff.

Dene is right. Think of it as what is filmable. What does later look like. The later thing Dan and Doug describe I'd still try to find a device visually to show it is later.

I've just finished reading the script of the pilot of The people vos OJ Simpson (looking at its huge success, I think it can be quite relevant, plus it has been written by Ryan Murphy), I can say there was a big use of "later" but also "same time", almost at every change of location. Even sometimes "minutes later". But I've also read other scripts where all of these were never used, only "day" and "night". So I think it depends, do how you feel is the most relevant to understand your story I guess :)

I have used Dawn and Dusk because they were significant to the timeline.

Mariann, I'll bet that what you read is a production/shooting script – are the scenes numbered, are there scene numbers next to Deleted, do you see page numbers followed by a letter, is there a list of colors on the cover page? Each new scene is a changed camera position and it can be expensive to relocate the camera, lighting, props; even from one room to another. If you want to stay in the same interior location – put a clock in the shot, exterior shots, just wait or change the lighting. When you see the word Continuous – it will likely be shot as a Onesie using a Glide Cam or tracking. When writing a spec script, it;s best to keep it simple and allow the Director and DP to do their jobs.

As others have said, you can use "LATER" in ANY script if you need/want to clarify that it is "LATER" for your readers. If where we are in the script's time progression is self-explanatory, then you don't have to type "LATER."

What Dan told you is very true – if dusk/dawn is important to the story – include it for sure – but that means pretty much an EXT. scene. (I can light an INT. Vampire's crypt any way I want during the day.) That “golden hour” at dusk/dawn is really very short – 15 minutes mol. Watch the early part of Juno – when she finds the chair. It took six days to get that shot!

Thank you for all the great advice :-)

Doug no, the pilot's script of The People Vs OJ Simpson hadn't all of these, but I've also read some production scripts which have indeed all these.

Isn't CONTINUOUS the best way to establish that the action is moving from room to room within the same location?

Joe – the absolute answer to your question is: MAYBE. This is a point where you (writer) is directing your story (telling the Director how to shoot it.) Moving from room to room means moving the camera, so it's typically two scenes (a cut or cross fade is typical) HOWEVER: you can use a tracking shot to combine the two scenes into a ONESIE. This is where the CONTINUOUS transition works well. (When I see CONTINUOUS, I know I need a follow-cam operator on set.)

Also what Dan said. When shooting a master scene, sub-headings are by definition sequential/continuous time wise. In this example, when shooting I would deal with it as individual scenes because I would have to move the camera/lights/mic although I could track Tom by the girls to the bathroom. So, you see where the absolute answer is: MAYBE?

Thanks Doug and Dan. You both make good points. Now I'll be BACK AT THE BAR.