'Previously on' segment.

chrischance · Jul 23, 2011

I am writing a true-crime mini series and have completed episode 1.

I am about to start ep.2 and I am wondering how I begin.

There needs to be a recap of previous episodes as the episodes begin and I believe I need to insert a 'Previously on' segment at the beginning.

I assume I have no imput to 'Previously on' because that's the producer's choice. What I need to know is: do I use a slugline to write 'Previously on' with a remark for the producer, or is there a format or example I can find for this?

clockwork · Jul 23, 2011

That's really not something that's put into scripts. Most TV scripts are written months ahead of time and can't predict or guarantee what might end up in a 'Previously On' segment as scenes may end up revised or deleted by the time it comes to actually put them together - you'd end up having to constantly revise it up until broadcast. It's a largely editorial/producing problem, and it's one of the last things to be done for a new episode so it's not something you have to worry about. The only time I've ever seen it referenced that I can recall was a line that said something like, "We end the recap with [some specific shot from a previous episode]..." But that was done to continue directly from a particular moment.

chrischance · Jul 24, 2011

Thanks, Chris,
I will start the next episodes without a recap.
I was advised against writing further episodes until the project is accepted by a prodco, but because this is a true story I feel the need to continue.
Chris.

'Previously on' segment.

chrischance

clockwork

In the zone...

chrischance