I know when you introduce a speaking character, you're supposed to capitalize their name, the first time it appears.

However, what if someone introduced them self under a false name and then revealed their true identity later in the story, would both names need to be in capitals the first time they appear in the script?

If the character's real name is revealed at the end of the story, you continue using the false name and don't refer to him by his real name at all, except in dialogue.


Phil

What about an undercover cop who poses as a crook at the start of a scene, but then reveals that they are a cop during the scene?

You can call him i.e. John/Bill as this too.

Michel

If it's just for one scene, you can call him BILL (referred to as JOHN).  In his dialogue, it's just Bill.


Phil

Quoted from Takeshi would both names need to be in capitals the first time they appear in the script?

You don't need to capitalize both names. Only the first (false) one, when the character is introduced along with his age and a brief description. New characters are capitalized, not new names.

In the undercover cop example, once the character flashes his badge and tells his real name, from there on you can call him by his the new name without need to "reintroduce" him in capitals.

Is it your intent to deceive the audience (reader) into thinking a character is one thing -- only to reveal later he is something else?

Then treat it as one character -- buy into it completely in terms of description and dialogue -- until the reveal -- then buy into the second character.

You are really introducing two characters at two different points in the story.  A plug -- but a relevant exerpt -- from SimplyNoir.  This is how George and I did it, and if George was involved, it is probably safe to do it this way.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Security bends down and lifts one of the heavy cases used
for transporting film reels.

               SECURITY
          (a different
          voice now)
     But you made one big mistake,
     Wesley...

Now Wesley watches in shocked disbelief as Security reaches
with his free hand and rips his face off -- A MASK -- to
reveal the grinning visage of KEVIN REVIE.

               KEVIN
     ...you forgot that things are
     not always as they appear!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

First it's Security.  Kevin is not mentioned.  Then, it becomes Kevin, and Security is no longer mentioned.

As long as you make a "clean break", I don't think there is much confusion.

It's important to make the change in reference clear in the action, however.  And I wouldn't capitalise 'mask', but that's an issue of style.

Thanks guys. You've cleared it up for me. I know what to do now.