What would you do? After the initial dramatic into scene I want to show a wall of photos with the protagonist and friends and family who will eventually become part of the story. So as I describe some of these photos can I just name the character and give a description later when they enter into the story or should I take the time to make the introductions at that time.? Or maybe just write something like "... standing next to his best friend Fred." What do you think?
Screenwriting : Characters in photos by Rick Hardin
Characters in photos
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I know the picture thing is a bit overdone. But it's an easy way to highlight before and after. My protag's a single parent whose wife was murdered five years ago and since then his life has gone down hill and he's at an all time low. Showing pictures of better times seems to be a quick solution that otherwise have to come out as exposition. Funny thing this is the 6th draft and I've had I think three professional coverage done as well as other writers giving me feedback and not one has commented on the photo pan being a "bad thing" at least in my script. Thanks for the comments!!!!
Photo scene = holding on to memories. Reflection, eulogizing, pining, regret or regretful change. None of these things are character introductions. Introduce your characters as if the photo scene wasn't there. Photos have their place. The scene could be unique, important, and even pivotal to your story. Have your photos, have your introductions. Those are very separate things even if the characters are mentioned in the scene with the photographs.
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@ Rick Reynolds, "Photo scene = holding on to memories. Reflection, eulogizing, pining, regret or regretful change. " is EXACTLY what I'm going for in this scene. Thanks!
Rick, I suspect it could be seen as really corny but, after your intro scene, is this something that could play out over the credits? A series of pictures you can briefly describe that we will later come to realise represent your characters in the main plot - like a longer than usual establishing shot. I think I would reserve the full descriptions for when the enter the story "proper" but if it serves your story, give it a try! Good luck!
Depending on the context, if you are insistent on showing the photo wall, I might write, "With tear glazed eyes He glances over the photos of his family and friends, and sadly reflects on how life used to be." With quick, decent shots of the 'Other Characters' in the photos, it is like a bit of, 'foreshadowing the future'. It would be quite short and no names are required. That all said, I go back to, 'if you are insistent on showing.........'. I tend to want to tell you to cut the scene out, unless you can immediately 'Go into', or 'Fade to', or some other camera trick that takes the audience into a picture.....like; 'The Illustrated Man' and his tattoos.
The whole idea is a quick pan across a room. A desk with a couple photos, a few more on the wall all showing a younger happier man. Then in walks my Protag older, unhappy and out of shape. It's not meant to be a long, picture by picture retrospect just a stark comparison from then and now, how far he's fallen. 5-10 seconds max. Back to my main question there will be people from the story in these pictures and I think I its important for the story to comment who is in them. As Mark Walker said this would be a perfect place for the credits although that's the director's decision.
I agree with Ron. However, clip and save all these comments, Rick, and put them in a folder for future contemplation.