Screenwriting : Formatting question Later by Rick Wheeler

Both look fine, but I think INT. SNOW LODGE - KITCHEN - DAY - LATER is better, Rick Wheeler. I write it like this: INT. SNOW LODGE - KITCHEN - DAY (LATER)

Neither. Just write: LATER or KITCHEN - LATER. you've already established main location, and you are still there.

The second one is correct but in a spec

INT. SNOW LODGE - KITCHEN - DAY

LATER

Is prefered because we already know where we are and that is a day shoot.

Either is fine. Just be consistent. When you have a script go into production, the director will change the slugs to how they best work for them.

this is one of those that has a million right answers! LOL! as others have already stated - pick one and be consistent.

i'd also add: a shorter, cleaner, less clumsy

The Hollywood Standard would say the second is correct; that's for spec. and prod. alike, but often seen in specs, as Dan explained, is

INT. SNOW LODGE - KITCHEN - DAY

LATER

Maybe one day, writers here are hired, write formatting the employers want, and then come back here and tell us how silly arguing over formatting do's & dont's.

Maurice, the time if day is already established in this case, so INT. SNOW LODGE - KITCHEN - LATER is sufficient. Although I just read a pro script where it's done your way)

But the use of parentheses is interesting, especially if you have more than one time descriptor..

"The Hollywood Standard" says:

"Occasionally more than one time descriptor is used in a single shotheading. In such cases, the term that actionally describes the time of day comes first, followed in parentheses by the additional modifiers:

EXT. MOGADISHU - WEAPONS MARKET - DAY (AUGUST 5, 1995)

INT. CLASSROOM - NIGHT - (CONTINUOUS ACTION)

EXT. BMW DEALERSHIP - SUNRISE (BACK TO PRESENT ) "

(-- > Note: : Of course "CONTINUOUS ACTION" is normally written as "CONT'D" .)

Other example: the same sentence written two different ways, one correct the second not:

INT. PENTICUFF HOUSE - GARAGE - DAY

Blablabla.

INT. PENTICUFF HOUSE - GARAGE - DAY (FIVE MONTHS EARLIER)

INT. PENTICUFF HOUSE - GARAGE - FIVE MONTHS EARLIER

In this second example (just above) you can't be sure if it's DAY or NIGHT!! SO it needs the basic time descriptor. Except, maybe, if the time of day is descriped in the first action line:

INT. PENTICUFF HOUSE - GARAGE - DAY

Blablabla.

INT. PENTICUFF HOUSE - GARAGE - FIVE MONTHS EARLIER

Bright sunlight shines thrue a small window.

or

It's dark inside the garage.

Other examples of shotheadings where the actual time of day comes first, followed by the additional modifier or modifiers in parentheses, are:

EXT. CENTRAL PARK - CHRISMAS NIGHT ( SNOW)

EXT. CHICAGO WORLD'S FAIR - DAY (NEWSREEL FOOTAGE)

CLOSE ON BULLET ( SLOW NOTION)

CHILD'S BIRTDAY PARTY - DAY (1966) ( 8MM)

(Note: Not sure why there is no INT or EXT in this last example, from The Hollywood Standard?)

I guess if you write your spec you can't know what formatting the employers want, Dan. If you're hired, sure, hail to the producers.

Rutger Oosterhoff I dont know any career writers who listens to theorists & "The Hollywood Standard" whatever that means.

Dan Max,

Maybe They don't listen to theorists, but I could imagine at least some use this book on script format.

For instance, on it's back cover:

"Frankly, all the stuff you learn from Field or McKee won't get you anywhere if you don't know the stuff in Riley's book. Because if your screenplay doesn't read professionally, it won't be read by the professionals. This is the only writing book I still keep near my computer."

-- Brian L. Davidson, writer-producer CSI: Miami

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Just my two cents.

INT. SNOW LODGE - KITCHEN - DAY

XXXXXXXX

KITCHEN - LATER

XXXXXXXX

PORCH - CONTINUOUS

XXXXXXXX

KITCHEN - SAME

XXXXXXXX

BEDROOM - LATER

Rick Wheeler When it comes to formatting, there are definitely a lot of opinions, and methods can vary depending on the project or individual preference. I’m a self-taught screenwriter, and I generally just go with what I know works from experience with different people in the industry.

Here's how I usually handle scene headings, and I don’t sweat the small stuff too much:

For a production screenplay, where I know they’ll need a breakdown, I might use:

INT. SNOW LODGE - KITCHEN – DAY

Action

INT. SNOW LODGE - KITCHEN – LATER

More action

This helps the crew differentiate between times of day in the same location.

For a spec screenplay, I simplify it a bit, like:

INT. SNOW LODGE - KITCHEN – DAY

Action

LATER

More action

or sometimes just:

INT. KITCHEN

One thing to remember is that you wouldn’t put both 'DAY' and 'LATER' in the same master scene heading—it’s redundant and can be confusing.

how about...

XXXXXXXX

INT. SNOW LODGE - KITCHEN - DAY

Some time has passed and Freddie has stopped the bleed.

Aim for the clearest, cleanest and most concise. If you can avoid unnecessary clutter, then great.

INT. SNOW LODGE - KITCHEN - DAY - LATER

int. kitchen - day (later)