Another quandry

[razormoney]

Friends,

I have stumbled again.

QUESTION 1 -- In my one of my scripts, the main character goes to a speed dating session. She meets several dates in rapid succession then actually speaks to the last few. Aftger the initial introductions, I want to skip to the next date (7 minutes later or so).

What do you think the best method is to properly execute the scene. I thought of using a SUPER on a couple of dates but thought that might be cheesy.

QUESTION 2 -- Also, when her dates introduce themselves at the beginning, in rapid sucession, I just go from one to the next with their characters like...

Example follows --

Shelly meets her first three dates in rapid sucession

YOUNG SPEED DATER
My name is Justin.

BALD SPEED DATER
...Gerald...

SHORT SPEED DATER
...Phillip.

Her fourth date, a total meathead, lumbers up.

End example.

Is this method how you all would do it?

Thanks in advance. This site rocks.

RAZOR

[scripter1]

do it differently, that's not really going to help you.

What you've got works basically.
You want to intro these guys in such a way that the audience feels rushed through them just like your character does. Some reaction shots of the girl might add to the scenes, just don't get too carried away.

Consider some type of little bity scene where we see the frustration on the woman's face and something that indicates the passage of time and multiple guys. She throws one more file onto a large stack or something, she's snoozing and then jerks awake, then sees the man of her dreams.
There are all kinds of things you can do, have fun with it, brain storm, try to come up with something that hasn't been done before.

When you "skip" events like this it's called leaving it off the page.
We know certain things had to happen but it's not vital that we actually see them happen. You just have to make sure you create the bridge from moment to moment.

[Optimus]

When I wrote the first draft of my last script, I had a similar scene in it (guy goes on several dates, cutting from girl to girl in rapid succession). Since mine's a comedy/romcom, I realized that it served my story better to just concentrate on a few really lousy dates and play up the funny in them.

However, if you're wanting to go this route, I'd suggest finding the script for "Coming to America." There's a scene very close to the one you're describing. See how they formatted it in that script and try to adapt it to yours.

[dpaterso]

Here's a rare instance where using CUT TO: between the speed dates might actually be justified.

-Derek
-> * (http://hometown.aol.co.uk/DPaterson57) <- Click on this magic star to be transported to my website. Ruby slippers optional.
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[razormoney]

Good call Optimus. You must be referring to the bar scene when Eddie and Arsenio first arrice in Queens. I'm going to Movie-Page.com to see if the script is listed there. Thanks everyone.

R

[-XL-]

Seems to read fine. Dpat's probably on the money with the CUT TO: suggestion though.

I'm not sure if your example was simply an example but if so you're wasting 3 lines of dialogue by having the guys say their names. Sure, one's bald and one's short but you could use those lines to tell us exactly why they are unsuitable for her. Just a thought...

[PerditaDrury]

This type of speed dating scene has become almost a cliche in dramatic television programming in recent years -- it's become one of those "if I had a dollar for every time I've seen this...", well, you know the rest.

This scene has also appeared in several feature comedies.

Though it's not exactly what you're doing, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit has an episode upcoming next week which shows how they dealt with the multiple prospective dates concept.

NBC (http://www.absolutewrite.com/tvpdb?d=tvs&id=166030642&lineup=us_DITV803&channels=us_KNBC&.intl=us) Dec 17 10:00pm
Series/Drama, 60 Mins.

"Starved"
When a series of rapes is linked to a speed-dating service, Benson goes undercover and discovers Mike Jergens (Dean Cain) is the assailant.

[razormoney]

Yeah,

It was just an example -- in the real script, each date uses a made up name as a joke -- like Heywood Jablome. Each name is designed to get funnier until the main character actually laughs. Anyway, I know it doesn't sound that funny but I think it will show funny.

R