Opening Scene

arrodiii · Aug 16, 2010

Good evening all,

I am wondering if you all have any idea if there is a "rule" or a standard amount of time for the opening scene to be prior to the Title/Opening Credit Sequence? The reason why I am wondering is the initial part where I want to have the opening credits appear is pretty far along and the next logical place I could think of putting it is around page nine - is this still too far along in the story?

I know Trainspotting takes a bit of time (approximately 5 minutes) before the Title Sequence appears, but other than that I can't think of any other movies that this long to get there.
I'll appreciate any thoughts or advice that you can provide.

Thanks, Adam.

mario_c · Aug 16, 2010

Raising Arizona took something like 9-10 minutes to get to the title credit - an absolutely amazing sequence, basically the entirety of act one.
But as for spec rules, it's very much frowned upon to state an exact place for the title sequence unless somehow the opening titles are part of the scene (I'm thinking Men In Black). It's tempting to paint a kind of visual with words with this part of the script, but read all the Black List scripts and classic specs and you'll see it's not done.

arrodiii · Aug 16, 2010

Thanks, Mario - this is my first attempt so I am still learning things as I go along. Very much appreciated - and I'll have to watch Raising Arizona again to see how that opening scene goes

Verbal · Aug 16, 2010

Always remember, you are the magic maker on the page. If it feels long, cut it. If it feels just right, leave it. If you start getting into limiting yourself creatively by page numbering conventions (other than the max # of pages), you're doomed.

(slams on the counter for emphasis)

Doomed I say. Let the story dictate, not some bloody rule book.

But Verbal, I hear you saying, how will I know if it feels right?

It was Yoda who said it best when he said, "You will know."

Like the ring of truth. So goes the ring of a scene or sequence that's working.

nmstevens · Aug 17, 2010

arrodiii said:
Good evening all,

I am wondering if you all have any idea if there is a "rule" or a standard amount of time for the opening scene to be prior to the Title/Opening Credit Sequence? The reason why I am wondering is the initial part where I want to have the opening credits appear is pretty far along and the next logical place I could think of putting it is around page nine - is this still too far along in the story?

I know Trainspotting takes a bit of time (approximately 5 minutes) before the Title Sequence appears, but other than that I can't think of any other movies that this long to get there.
I'll appreciate any thoughts or advice that you can provide.

Thanks, Adam.

Best advice -- for a spec (or frankly, for any screenplay) -- is don't reference where the credits come or try to devise a "credit sequence" or talk about things running "under the credits."

That's something that often isn't figured out until they hit the editing room.

It may not be rational, but it's just one of those things that's frowned upon.

If you want a prologue that precedes the main action -- just write it. Someone else -- if the movie ever gets bought and made -- will either decide that the credits ought to come after it or before it or whatever.

NMS

arrodiii · Aug 17, 2010

Verbal and NMS - Thanks, great words of advice and very much needed as I guess I am starting to stray and need to get back to being focused on the task at hand

I guess that I'm learning new things everyday With this being my first attempt I am wanting to make sure everything is perfect.

mostlylegit · Aug 17, 2010

I've just finished reading 'Story' by Robert McKee and recomend that if you haven't already got it.

I'm working on a script myself and this has been helpful for me. I don't have the same problem as I'm planning the credits to come straight away, but it's nice to know of example where it can appear much later.

I have to ask what is the reason you want the credits so late? I always thought it's something to get out of the way quick and on to the story. If it's 9 minutes in, are you at risk of pulling people out of the experience a little? just a thought.

WMcQuaig · Aug 17, 2010

mostlylegit said:
I have to ask what is the reason you want the credits so late? I always thought it's something to get out of the way quick and on to the story. If it's 9 minutes in, are you at risk of pulling people out of the experience a little? just a thought.

I wouldn't say that it will definitely pull people out of the experience, if it's done properly. Key phrase being "If it's done properly".

Take the recent remake of "The Crazies". The opening title sequence came about five minutes into the film but it was done very well. It really just added to the experience.

On top of that it wasn't the traditional title sequence either. It was simply: "The Crazies". That's all. No Actor introductions, No Producers, nothing. It's really quiet dramatic actually. It's worth a watch.

mostlylegit · Aug 17, 2010

That's a fair point, I was thinking more of the standard title screen but you're right that you can do some imaginative things with it. I haven't seen The Crazies but will take a look.

arrodiii · Aug 17, 2010

mostlylegit said:
I have to ask what is the reason you want the credits so late? I always thought it's something to get out of the way quick and on to the story. If it's 9 minutes in, are you at risk of pulling people out of the experience a little? just a thought.

Well, I started writing this script after a friend challenged me to write the opening sentence of a story, kind of like the BLFC, except I was trying to write something good and I would win a beer if I did. Well one day while waiting to meet up with him for a beer, I wrote the sentence and showed it to him. He said he liked it and asked if I had any thoughts on expanding on the story and I said no. Then after a couple of beers, I decided to give it a shot so here I am working off of that sentence.

It's not that I want the credits to be so late (I hae the same thought that it they should be quickly put out there) but I have always wanted scene derived from that sentence to be the point that separates the brief opening (if not just opening up with it at all) from the rest by setting the bulk of the film in motion. Since I have started writing the story has taken on a whole life of its own and it is now somewhere on the 28th page in Word (I know, I know, not the correct not format, but its something quick and easy, plus allows me to work on it during slow days and at lunch). So, I am trying to play with the placement of this scene or even a part of this scene within the script to keep true to that original concept of mine, but I am being more open minded to where a natural occurence of credits would go, if I happen to direct myself.

Opening Scene

arrodiii

mario_c

Your thoughts are not real...

arrodiii

Verbal

Suspicious of Bunnies

nmstevens

What happened?

arrodiii

mostlylegit

WMcQuaig

insert something original or whitty

mostlylegit

arrodiii