I have a montage with VO dialogue under it. Do I put the VO before or after the shots? example: (I know the spacing is wrong but that's what happened with a copy/paste from FD!) MONTAGE- JOHNNY LEAVES HOME AND JOINS THE ARMY Title: 1958 a) Johnny drives past a highway sign: HOUSTON b) Johnny with his girlfriend Nancy. c) Johnny works at a soda fountain. d) Johnny and a friend in front of an Army enlistment office. A poster in the windows promotes the "Buddy Plan". They enter. e) Johnny engaged in a serious conversation with Nancy. She looks shocked and confused. He embarrassed. She cries. They embrace. f) Johnny in his uniform in basic training. JOHNNY(V.O.) (over montage) It was 1958. I graduated high school and left home for Houston and my girlfriend Nancy. Got a room and a job. After two months, I broke up with her. I loved her but men attracted me more than she did. I joined the Army with my buddy John Cokin.
Screenwriting : Quick formatting question. by Richard Stephens Ely
Other topics in Screenwriting:
Check out Trending Discussions
Register / Log In
4 people like this
Why do you want a V.O.? Let your actions tell us what is happening. Most of your V.O. is being shown to us at the same time, this is just repetition and repetition should be avoided in scripts. What isn't shown in the montage can just be added or revealed later.
I agree with Pierre, the montage already "shows" the information through action. Therefore the V.O. seems rather redundant. :) I hope that helps! Best to you!
1 person likes this
both Beth and Pierre have a point. Unless the VO dialogue is something different, you don't need it. and if it is, write in the action DURING MONTAGE JACK V.O. Life is brutal. Then write the Montage. hope this helps
It's probably best accomplished with specific VO for each shot. Read the first page of The Road Warrior: Mad Max II to see how they accomplished it. http://www.scifiscripts.com/scripts/madmax2.txt Best wishes and great luck with your writings!
2 people like this
Hi guys. Thanks for the attention and advice. Certainly gives me a good lead on how to handle this. Think I'll go with expanding the action and adding the VO in the shot that needs it. Thanks again.