Yo,

Would you CAP a character intro again if he's a different age?  I'm going into a flashback and we're going to see like a life journey at different ages...

Would I only need to CAP the one character which ages?  For example:

DAVE (12)

DAVE (33)

DAVE (45)

Or would I need to cap every character if they are at a different age in the flashback?  I figured it would be best to just cap one character, as it kind of speaks for itself.

If there are several characters changing age in the flashback, then I would think you'd capitalise all of them. That's the way I'd go about it anyway.

Quoted from IamGlenn If there are several characters changing age in the flashback, then I would think you'd capitalise all of them. That's the way I'd go about it anyway.

It would look a little odd tho, don't you think? The age gaps are different tho innit, we've got a kid aging but the parents sort of... stay the same innit.

The way I think of it, and I could be wrong, is that the whole point of capitalising characters is for a producer to quickly identify how many characters are in the story. It helps them to figure out how many actors will be needed.

So if MAX is 40 in your story but is 6 in a flashback, there's a need for another actor. If he's 35 in the flashback, maybe not.

I'd just capitalise it and then they can figure it out..

Of course, I could be totally wrong.

Capitalize the name no matter the game.  It doesn't matter if you've introduced them already.  If your main dude is 43, and then he's 13, that's a NEW actor, meaning he looks different, so he's a new character even if he's a younger version of an existing character.

Quoted from Leegion Capitalize the name no matter the game.  It doesn't matter if you've introduced them already.  If your main dude is 43, and then he's 13, that's a NEW actor, meaning he looks different, so he's a new character even if he's a younger version of an existing character.

But do I need to do that for every character who is present in a flashback? Surely one character will be enough to show that everyone else has aged as well?

For example:

Quoted Text BEGIN FLASHBACK INT . HOUSE - DAY MAX (8) does this and that. JOEY AND DAVE (both 66) do this INT. SHOPPING CENTER - DAY Descriptive V.O. MAX (12) does this and that. Joey and Dave jump around...

The sequence continues, showing Max at different ages.

Is there any need to capitalize Joey and Dave? It's clear in my script that the other characters have aged along with him, despite the caps.

But for someone skimming to see what actors they need, it probably wouldn't be clear..

Quoted from IamGlenn But for someone skimming to see what actors they need, it probably wouldn't be clear..

Okay, I'll cap for safety.



Cheers Glenn, my man!

Plus make-up for aging characters, if only by a few years.

Yeah, man, you're better off.

It's not too much to ask from you

Quoted from IamGlenn Yeah, man, you're better off. It's not too much to ask from you

It's going to be a bit horrible to look at though...

MAX SMART (12)

MAX SMART (15)

...repeating the full name all the time when some scenes only last half a page, and especially when two other characters are aging as well.

Maybe shake it up a little..

Like, in one have MAX (6) plays the grand piano.

Then..

MAX, now 17 years old, sits alone.

Would that help?

Quoted from IamGlenn Maybe shake it up a little.. Like, in one have MAX (6) plays the grand piano. Then.. MAX, now 17 years old, sits alone. Would that help?

Nah, that's inconsistent formatting imo.

I see.

Well at the end of the day it's up to you, man. Personally, I'd capitalise them all but if it doesn't look right to you, then do it the way you think works. A lot of this stuff is personal preference.

Max...if you do need new actors to play the different aged characters, you should probaably CAP each one, but the bottom line is that you shouldn't probably write a short with a bunch of different aged same characters.

Seriously, bro...if you've got  feature and you need to show something with a Flashback...cool, but I would seriously rethink a short of this nature, as it just doesn't make sense for something anyone would be able to film...or want to film.

And...I understand if you don't give a shit about it being filmed, much as I don't either when I write a short, but again, keep it somewhat simple in your concepts, until you're ready to throw out that kickass feature, brother.

You get me?

Quoted from Dreamscale Max...if you do need new actors to play the different aged characters, you should probaably CAP each one, but the bottom line is that you shouldn't probably write a short with a bunch of different aged same characters. Seriously, bro...if you've got  feature and you need to show something with a Flashback...cool, but I would seriously rethink a short of this nature, as it just doesn't make sense for something anyone would be able to film...or want to film. And...I understand if you don't give a shit about it being filmed, much as I don't either when I write a short, but again, keep it somewhat simple in your concepts, until you're ready to throw out that kickass feature, brother. You get me?

Interesting, and I almost always agree with Dreamscale, but this is hogwash.
It makes perfect sense to write/experiment with a child/adult transition in a short script, and learn how to do it.
I wish I could help and tell you how, it's a great idea.
I hope you persevere and listen to yourself only. Not saying advise given is bad, but not all advise is good.

Shorts should be kept as short and sweet as possible. They should also be as cost free as possible. The more actors you have, especially kids, and the price goes right up. You can't get child actors for free, unless you know somebody. Also, you have to pay a day's wage to the parents, at least £100 each day. Five days filming is £500 just for the parent to escort their child. Two, three kids and the budget is rising before we move onto paying the actors and everyone else.

I don't normally agree with Jeff (at least, I don't like to)... but on this occasion I do, kinda. If you make your shorts too epic, they may be great, but nobody will want to film them at the short level, unless you get lucky, if the price isn't justified. So if it is an epic short production-wise, make sure it is an epic short story-wise too, else it's all just wasted effort.

In response to Steve, I understand what you're saying...I totally understand.

In fact, many of my shorts are written with a budget that makes them pretty much unfilmable, and I'm completely cool with that.

If that's what you want to write, go right ahead and write that way.  There's nothing wrong with it, especially if you want to experiment or whatever.

My point is pretty much in line with Dustin, who I rarely agree with or enjoy agreeing with...but his post is dead on.

My point to Max is exactly as stated - probably not the best idea to be worrying how to do this and that in a short that probably shouldn't be written in the first place.

Shorts are "short".  You don't have the "time" and space to be writing stories that cover multiple time lines.  The inclusion of characters at various stages of their life can really only be glossed over, as the current time line is where the meat of your story is going to need to be.

Again, as an exercise or whatever, go for any story/topic you want to.  But always keep in mind important things like budget.

You'll have to wait and see Dream...

You understand where I'm coming from aye? I'm not trying to get anything produced, but rather I'm trying to experiment with my writing and utilize the building blocks which will be used in a feature somewhere down the line.

I'm building up to a feature, but I just haven't got the confidence or the drive yet. I'm too busy watching wrestling most of the time anyways, haha

Quoted from Max You'll have to wait and see Dream... You understand where I'm coming from aye? I'm not trying to get anything produced, but rather I'm trying to experiment with my writing and utilize the building blocks which will be used in a feature somewhere down the line. I'm building up to a feature, but I just haven't got the confidence or the drive yet. I'm too busy watching wrestling most of the time anyways, haha

I hear ya, bro.

Forget the wrestling and watch more MMA!  Free fights this weekend and the card looks pretty good.

Quoted from Dreamscale I hear ya, bro. Forget the wrestling and watch more MMA!  Free fights this weekend and the card looks pretty good.

Sorry, Professional Wrestling will always come first for me.  They are two different beasts, so I guess it's all down to what you're after.

You wouldn't believe how much wrestling I watch a week and all the podcasts I listen to.