How to Indicate Date and Time in Screenplays

When writing screenplays, it's crucial to indicate the date and time of events to keep your audience engaged and informed about the context of the situation. One common technique used in film is to write the date and time at the beginning of a scene or sequence. This method is known as 'supers.'

Supers are essential in time travel movies, films that skip over long periods, or scenes where the location changes. By including the date and time, you can ensure that your audience understands the context of each scene.

For example, if you're writing a film about a character who travels back in time, you might use supers to indicate the different dates and times. Here's an example:

INT. FUTURE LAB - DAY (MARCH 15, 2050)

In this example, 'March 15, 2050' indicates that the scene takes place on March 15th of the year 2050.

If you're writing a script with scenes that take place over several days or weeks, supers can help keep track of time. You might also use subs to provide additional information about the date and time.

For instance:

INT. FOREST - NIGHT (FOREVER SUNRISE, 1995)

In this example, 'Forever Sunrise' is a fictional film title, and the date indicates that the scene takes place on March 15th of 1995.

Greensleeves is one of the most famous English folk songs, with a beautiful melody and harmonies. But what about the date? The song dates back to the Renaissance period and has accumulated many stories and speculations over time.

When writing a script that involves music, you might want to include information about the date or era in which the song was written. For example:

INT. JEWELRY STORE - DAY (Renaissance Era)

In this scene, the jewelry store is set during the Renaissance period, and the song being played could be Greensleeves.

If you're writing a script that involves converting dates between formats, such as Roman numerals to modern date format, there are tools available. You can enter month, day, and year to translate your date into Roman numerals.

In conclusion, indicating date and time in screenplays is crucial for keeping your audience informed about the context of each scene. By using supers and subs effectively, you can create a clear and engaging script that keeps readers and viewers interested.

Screensleeves write date