Day change - Filler Scene?

happygolucky · Jul 30, 2008

I am new to screenwriting. Just started the 2nd draft of my 1st script. I noticed that in one place, I dont have a day-night-day sequence. One scene ends at afternoon of one day and the next scene is morning next day.

I was wondering if this would seem odd. I am aware that there should be proper day-night-day sequences. Correct me if I am wrong.

Should I put a filler night scene between the two? How should I approach such situations?

Thanks in advance!

alleycat · Jul 30, 2008

It's okay to make a time jump. You certainly do not need a scene if it's just a filler.

happygolucky · Jul 30, 2008

Yeah but how do I indicate that its the next day?
Any examples would be nice.
Thanks!

alleycat · Jul 30, 2008

I may have mislead you. All you really need is DAY or NIGHT or (rarely) something like MORNING. You can have three slug lines in a row that are NIGHT. You don't have to have DAY . . . NIGHT . . . DAY . . . NIGHT . . .

If it's important to mention for whatever reason that it's the next day, then say it on the action line.

I believe that's correct. I've gotten so used to just clicking what I want from the Movie Magic software menu that I've gotten lazy. ;-)

Kristy101081 · Jul 30, 2008

alleycat said:
I've gotten so used to just clicking what I want from the Movie Magic software menu that I've gotten lazy. ;-)

Me, too! I love Movie Magic.

happygolucky · Jul 30, 2008

Well my issue is not slugline to slugline change between day and night.
I have about 4 scenes that take place morning (say from 9 to 10 AM) and the next scene is morning, around same time next day, same location.

By same location I mean inside two apartments(various rooms) opposite to each other in a large apartment complex.

So how would I convey to the viewer that its the next day. Right now if I read the script, it doesnt look like its the next day. You mentioned that I should just say that its the next day in the action. But how will that translate in the movie?

ALG71 · Jul 30, 2008

Hmm, I don't know if I could be much help but how about for the 2nd day, same time, just start off the scene description with: A day has passed. but leave the slugline as MORNING or DAWN or DAY (whichever you use). I've never been faced with this problem yet so I don't know if that would work.

stuckupmyownera · Jul 30, 2008

happygolucky said:
So would how to I convey to the viewer that its the next day. Right now if I read the script, it doesnt look like its the next day. You mentioned that I should just say that its the next day in the action. But how will that translate in the movie?

Let the director worry about that. Think about films you've seen. They don't always follow day/night patterns. They switch ahead however far they need to - minutes, hours, days, even weeks. There's no need to have any night scenes at all if you don't want. You say you're going from an afternoon to a morning scene - well then it should be obvious it's the next day!

Chillax!

nmstevens · Jul 30, 2008

happygolucky said:
Well my issue is not slugline to slugline change between day and night.
I have about 4 scenes that take place morning (say from 9 to 10 AM) and the next scene is morning, around same time next day, same location.

By same location I mean inside two apartments(various rooms) opposite to each other in a large apartment complex.

So would how to I convey to the viewer that its the next day. Right now if I read the script, it doesnt look like its the next day. You mentioned that I should just say that its the next day in the action. But how will that translate in the movie?

You use action. If it's late in the morning in the scene on one day, dumping the dishes into the sink to puntuate the end of the scene -- cut to the beginning of the next scene -- they're just starting breakfast. Next scene, next morning.

Hopefully, what they're saying and doing will make clear whether it's exactly and precisely the next morning or the morning after that or it really won't matter.

NMS

zeprosnepsid · Jul 30, 2008

happygolucky said:
So how would I convey to the viewer that its the next day. Right now if I read the script, it doesnt look like its the next day. You mentioned that I should just say that its the next day in the action. But how will that translate in the movie?

They'd be wearing different clothes, different hairstyles. That's how it'd translate.

NMS' idea is a good one too.

LIVIN · Jul 30, 2008

happygolucky said:
I am aware that there should be proper day-night-day sequences. Correct me if I am wrong.

You are wrong. Go watch just about any movie. There's a million ways to indicate the next day IF it's necessary. Often, it's not necessary.

happygolucky · Jul 31, 2008

Thanks everyone.
nmstevens, zeprosnepsid, your comments were great help. Now my doubts are cleared.

whistlelock · Jul 31, 2008

You haven't already go read 100 scripts of produced movies.

I'm not joking, 100.

After reading 100 scripts, you will have no doubts as to format and form.

jonpiper · Jul 31, 2008

INT. JAKE'S APT. - DAY

Jake downs breakfast. Takes dirty dish to sink.

Places Mom's severed head in freezer.

INT. CALLY'S APT. - DAY

Cally pours cup of coffee. Opens newspaper.

If scene in Cally's apt. occurs the next morning and you want the audience as well as the Reader to know, you could
insert a newspaper headline about a severed head or the radio could announce it, or

You could SUBTITLE: Next Morning

dpaterso · Jul 31, 2008

Or indeed,

Jake, unshaven, bed hair, wearing shorts only, staggers to the fridge. He opens a beer and chugs it.

Cally, in dressing-gown and slippers, sips coffee and reads the newspaper.

-Derek

LIVIN · Jul 31, 2008

The question you have to ask yourself is, "Is it important that it's the next day?"
I remember when I wrote my first script, feeling like I had to show progression throughout days and weeks. That's the wrong way to think, 100%. Do not think in a linear manner - at least not in that sense. I'd avoid the subtitle if possible.

GigiZ · Jul 31, 2008

I often find that resolving time-related issues in a screenplay is much more of a creative choice than I might think. Showing time passing in an imaginative way can actually strengthen a lot of other areas: plot, character etc.

In the screenplay I am working on now, the character has trouble sleeping so waking up and the way she wakes up each morning becomes a creative choice that also indicates the passing of time. Maybe your story has similar elements to work with.

You can indicate changes in the character's behavior or even their surroundings ... I don't know your script so can't be mroe specific. Think about what has happened to the character, what has changed in the story. You'll end up with more than fillers.

Day change - Filler Scene?

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