Screenwriting : Writing SUPERS question by Deb Havener

I've seen that done, Deb Havener. I use "APPEARS ON SCREEN" instead of "SUPER." I think "APPEARS ON SCREEN" reads and sounds better.

Stacking 'SUPER' like that forfeits 3 lines of valuable story real estate. My advice is 'don't do that'. But I'm old so what do I know?

Why can't you put that on one line (IRELAND, SUMMER, 1959)????

What Miquiel said!

I was hoping to have one line on screen, then fade out to the 2nd SUPER. But Miquiel makes a great argument. Why not all on one line? So thank you, everyone, so much for your time and tips. You are invaluable - and I sincerely mean that.

You're welcome, Deb Havener.

I wouldn't do it. I'd do SUPER: IRELAND, SUMMER 1959. Bc like others have said, it wastes precious page space. The fade out idea would be nice but a director and editor will really be making that decision later on in the editing booth, when you're likely way out of the process, so it's best just to be clear in presenting the information you think is most relevant and letting others in the future play with it how they'd see fit

Deb Havener Do whatever you want to do stylistically that works with your story. It's not the old days when people worked on film and someone had to actually pay lithographers to make titles. If you look at the beginning of Fargo by the Coen brothers, they start with a black screen. Titles slowly fade in with white letters (true story paragraph). Then there is Flare to White. Followed by Fade in from White. They did this because the movie visuals start in the snow storm. That worked for the story they were telling. So, do what makes sense for you to tell your story.

Do you need this though? Could you show me the time and place (rather than tell me by making me read) by plunging me into this world and letting me figure out where and when we are from the visuals, sounds and dialogue? Could accents tell me where I am? Could people talk about what's going on in the world that could help me figure out that we're in the late 50's? Could you go from the pub scene to a broader visual scene that would help set up the world and tone? That would be a whole lot more interesting and immersive.

That's an interesting question actually. Me personally, I don't even use SUPER anymore. I just use -ON SCREEN: "SUMMER 1959"-. Never got any flack for it in any contests I've won so I've just stuck with that.

I could see breaking up the timing of the graphics if there’s a story reason or joke reason.

For example, I know I’ve seen something like…

SUPER: FOUR MILLION YEARS B.C.

Then a beat.

SUPER: TUESDAY

To give it timing, I would put that action line in between the supers.