But also please don't say "the sun is setting" in the big text (description). You've just said it in the slugline.
Your "times of day" not only play a silent character/role in your story, but dictate to crew of when shooting is. Remember, it's a blueprint for a movie.
MIDNIGHT hints at something shady might be happening, DAWN signals rebirth with a new light, AFTERNOON has a certain feel to it IF that's what your scene is about.
If the time of day isn't playing a significant role, just DAY or NIGHT is fine.
Hi Tom Norton - you'll get many answers, as you can see.
My approach is to be consistent: use only DAY or NIGHT, if that's your thing, or be a little more creative without repeating in the action lines. Examples: I'll use BREAK OF DAWN DEAD OF NIGHT, SUNSET, HIGH NOON, etc... without hesitation. I like adding a bit of a panache and have never received a complaint from an experienced reader.
I believe it really is a matter of your writing style. Tell a great story and keep it between the lines :-)
If you're gonna use sunset/dawn/dusk, then write a short description why. Set-up mood & tone. Study scripts of your favorite screenwriters and see how they did it on the page. Someone here recently mentioned, "Lethal Weapon." Read the 1st page, 1st sentence of how Shane Black does it.
This how-to-shoot for "production" is not your concern now. Or ever. It's a writing sample until it aint. GL
I only use Dusk 3 times in my story. Is it better to establish that you use Dusk early, or ONLY when it's directly applicable to the scene, even if it's later in the script?
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it's considered sunset.
EXT. LOCATION - SUNSET
But also please don't say "the sun is setting" in the big text (description). You've just said it in the slugline.
Your "times of day" not only play a silent character/role in your story, but dictate to crew of when shooting is. Remember, it's a blueprint for a movie.
MIDNIGHT hints at something shady might be happening, DAWN signals rebirth with a new light, AFTERNOON has a certain feel to it IF that's what your scene is about.
If the time of day isn't playing a significant role, just DAY or NIGHT is fine.
3 people like this
Hi Tom Norton - you'll get many answers, as you can see.
My approach is to be consistent: use only DAY or NIGHT, if that's your thing, or be a little more creative without repeating in the action lines. Examples: I'll use BREAK OF DAWN DEAD OF NIGHT, SUNSET, HIGH NOON, etc... without hesitation. I like adding a bit of a panache and have never received a complaint from an experienced reader.
I believe it really is a matter of your writing style. Tell a great story and keep it between the lines :-)
3 people like this
If you're gonna use sunset/dawn/dusk, then write a short description why. Set-up mood & tone. Study scripts of your favorite screenwriters and see how they did it on the page. Someone here recently mentioned, "Lethal Weapon." Read the 1st page, 1st sentence of how Shane Black does it.
This how-to-shoot for "production" is not your concern now. Or ever. It's a writing sample until it aint. GL
2 people like this
I only use Dusk 3 times in my story. Is it better to establish that you use Dusk early, or ONLY when it's directly applicable to the scene, even if it's later in the script?
1 person likes this
I think only when it's directly applicable to the scene, even if it's later in the script, Tom Norton.
Nice Tom Norton