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SimplyScripts Screenwriting Discussion Board  /  Screenwriting Class  /  When is it OK to use DUSK, DAWN, ETC.?
Posted by: ReaperCreeper, January 7th, 2019, 2:03pm
I hadn't given a lot of though to this before because I hadn't written many scenes where the precise time of day and transitioning natural light were particularly crucial.

With this in mind, would you relegate the importance of dawn and dusk to action/description or just make it a part of the actual heading?

I'm thinking of just making it part of the heading because it would save space and get the point across quicker, but I was curious to see what people thought since I and many others tend to just stick with NIGHT and DAY most of the time.

Is this one of those "it doesn't matter" questions to you?

Posted by: DustinBowcot (Guest), January 7th, 2019, 2:18pm; Reply: 1
The last one.
Posted by: HyperMatt, January 7th, 2019, 5:05pm; Reply: 2
I would avoid it if I were you. Only use if these specific times of day are really essential to the plot. Stick to the traditional DAY/ NIGHT.
Posted by: eldave1, January 7th, 2019, 5:42pm; Reply: 3
I use dusk or dawn in the header.
Posted by: Zack, January 7th, 2019, 6:08pm; Reply: 4
I see no issue with using Dusk or Dawn in a header, as long as it's integral to the scene.

Zack
Posted by: Dreamscale (Guest), January 7th, 2019, 7:16pm; Reply: 5

Quoted from HyperMatt
I would avoid it if I were you. Only use if these specific times of day are really essential to the plot. Stick to the traditional DAY/ NIGHT.


NO!  Disagree completely.

If dusk, dawn, whatever is the time, use it in your Slug, just like you would day or night.

One can argue that unless we're dealing with a vampire or the like, it doesn't or shouldn't matter, but it can matter...and it can make a scene much more powerful because of it.

Posted by: FrankM, January 7th, 2019, 9:24pm; Reply: 6
I had a scene where the Sun was supposed to peek over the horizon during the scene. I just used NIGHT because it started before DAWN.
Posted by: eldave1, January 7th, 2019, 9:25pm; Reply: 7

Quoted from FrankM
I had a scene where the Sun was supposed to peek over the horizon during the scene. I just used NIGHT because it started before DAWN.


NIGHT is fine. I might have gone with ALMOST DAWN
Posted by: Dreamscale (Guest), January 7th, 2019, 11:06pm; Reply: 8

Quoted from FrankM
I had a scene where the Sun was supposed to peek over the horizon during the scene. I just used NIGHT because it started before DAWN.


Funny, cuz, NIGHT really isn't even correct...it's morning after 12 PM.
Now, don't get me wrong...if a scene is set at 2:00 Am, 3:00 AM, whatever, I think of that as NIGHT, but 5, 6, 7 AM, depending on the season?  That's MORNING.

If you want the sun to rise in the scene, you're showing exactly what time that is, in that region, and in that season.

It's your script.  write it the way that you want it filmed.  And...don't worry about it.

Posted by: ghost and_ghostie gal, January 8th, 2019, 12:50am; Reply: 9
@ReaperCreeper

I'll piggyback on the others'.  If it makes the read easier, then do it.  Personally.  Unless there is a specific narrative reason that a specific time of day is needed, or the subject matter is time sensitive... I only use DAY/NIGHT, and let my story set the mood.  But that's just me.

_ghostwriter
Posted by: FrankM, January 8th, 2019, 4:20am; Reply: 10

Quoted from eldave1


NIGHT is fine. I might have gone with ALMOST DAWN


Or PRE-DAWN, but it’s the second slug in a spec script, so I didn’t want to get off to a nonstandard start just in case a reader is a sticker for “tradition.”
Posted by: MarkRenshaw, January 8th, 2019, 5:45am; Reply: 11
DAY or NIGHT is there so the production team can quickly look at each scene and know what lighting will be required. Night shooting is far more expensive than Day shooting, so the budget is affected.  This is also why you put INT and EXT. It quickly highlights areas for planning and budget estimation.

Therefore, if your story has a specific requirement for dusk or dawn and this is something the audience will see, definitely include it. If it doesn’t and you like the idea of this scene taking place at dusk just for a change, use day or night instead; preferably day.    
Posted by: FrankM, January 8th, 2019, 5:59am; Reply: 12

Quoted from MarkRenshaw
DAY or NIGHT is there so the production team can quickly look at each scene and know what lighting will be required. Night shooting is far more expensive than Day shooting, so the budget is affected.  This is also why you put INT and EXT. It quickly highlights areas for planning and budget estimation.

Therefore, if your story has a specific requirement for dusk or dawn and this is something the audience will see, definitely include it. If it doesn’t and you like the idea of this scene taking place at dusk just for a change, use day or night instead; preferably day.    


Not sure about the scene RC is envisioning, but for the scene I mentioned one character says “good morning” and the second replies that “it’s not even dawn yet” and during that second dialogue the Sun peeks above the horizon. Since the Sun can be a separate shot, there’s no need to have the actors outside at precisely the right moment.

I’m not a director, but I think the primary photography could done in a broad swath of pre-dawn allowing for multiple takes... assuming they don’t just shoot it during the night and overexpose the sky. Just a bit of my thought process calling it a NIGHT scene.
Posted by: Grandma Bear, January 8th, 2019, 8:10am; Reply: 13
I used to be pretty strict on using only DAY or NIGHT. I still only use those out of habit, but I no longer insist on it being the right way. Why? Because a script will be read many many times by the producers/directors and when they plan the shooting of the film, they will decide if the scene will be shot during the DAY or NIGHT. Using DUSK, DAWN, MORNING, AFTERNOON or anything else helps the reader, which is all you need to worry about at this stage.



PS: Is that a drum I hear?  ;)
Posted by: Mr.Ripley, January 8th, 2019, 8:14am; Reply: 14
I agree with Pia.

Side note: Where’s the drum coming from so I can run the opposite direction. lol.

Gabe
Posted by: JohnI, January 8th, 2019, 3:42pm; Reply: 15
I use morning, afternoon, and evening - same as day / night. If it needs more description (i.e. dawn is breaking, dusk,) then i include that in my first action description,  Key is to be consistent in headings.
Posted by: Matthew Taylor, January 9th, 2019, 5:08am; Reply: 16
Don't understand why as a writer you would want to limit yourself to only DAY and NIGHT
Posted by: Dreamscale (Guest), January 9th, 2019, 10:10am; Reply: 17

Quoted from Matthew Taylor
Don't understand why as a writer you would want to limit yourself to only DAY and NIGHT


Great question and great point!

Using only DAY or NIGHT is downright foolish.

Posted by: ReneC, January 10th, 2019, 12:42pm; Reply: 18
It's all about the lighting and the look. DAY and NIGHT are usually sufficient but sometimes you want to literally cast a different light on the scene, or the time of day is important for the story, and you should always include it in the slug line.

Something else to consider is the logistics of filming. I use MORNING, DAY, AFTERNOON, EVENING, and NIGHT all the time, but I reserve anything more specific (DAWN, DUSK, EARLY MORNING, NOON, etc.) for when it is absolutely necessary. You have a very small window to capture the right light for those times of day, so it better be crucial to the story. And if you can cheat it, you can probably just stick with MORNING or EVENING or whatever more generic time is appropriate.

Posted by: Dreamscale (Guest), January 10th, 2019, 6:14pm; Reply: 19

Quoted from ReneC
It's all about the lighting and the look. DAY and NIGHT are usually sufficient but sometimes you want to literally cast a different light on the scene, or the time of day is important for the story, and you should always include it in the slug line.

Something else to consider is the logistics of filming. I use MORNING, DAY, AFTERNOON, EVENING, and NIGHT all the time, but I reserve anything more specific (DAWN, DUSK, EARLY MORNING, NOON, etc.) for when it is absolutely necessary. You have a very small window to capture the right light for those times of day, so it better be crucial to the story. And if you can cheat it, you can probably just stick with MORNING or EVENING or whatever more generic time is appropriate.


AGREED, AGREED, AGREED!!!!!!   ;D ;D ;D

Posted by: eldave1, January 10th, 2019, 7:07pm; Reply: 20
I'm going to start using a clock.

INT. DAVE'S HOUSE - 4:06 PM
Posted by: MarkRenshaw, January 11th, 2019, 4:14am; Reply: 21
INT. MARK'S HOUSE: 11th JANUARY 2019 - SUPPER TIME
Posted by: eldave1, January 11th, 2019, 4:27pm; Reply: 22

Quoted from MarkRenshaw
INT. MARK'S HOUSE: 11th JANUARY 2019 - SUPPER TIME


Perfect
Posted by: FrankM, January 11th, 2019, 6:04pm; Reply: 23
INT. HOTEL ROOM - SUPPOSED TO BE DOING WORK ON THIS TRIP BUT CHECKING SS INSTEAD
Posted by: eldave1, January 11th, 2019, 6:33pm; Reply: 24

Quoted from FrankM
INT. HOTEL ROOM - SUPPOSED TO BE DOING WORK ON THIS TRIP BUT CHECKING SS INSTEAD


lol
Posted by: Sandra Elstree., January 11th, 2019, 11:07pm; Reply: 25

Quoted from Dreamscale


NO!  Disagree completely.

If dusk, dawn, whatever is the time, use it in your Slug, just like you would day or night.

One can argue that unless we're dealing with a vampire or the like, it doesn't or shouldn't matter, but it can matter...and it can make a scene much more powerful because of it.



I agree with Jeff, completely.

Just think in terms of your script...

The mood you've created-- Think Contact- VEGA!!!! ... Oh that's me, :) But think how the sun just barely on the rise or sets and impacts that mood. For heaven's sake, don't write  merely "Day" in your slug if the "time of day" is  "more significant and meaningful".  

In your script, you make the call.

If you determine it doesn't matter, then of course:

Toss the specifics; otherwise, make your slug count.

Sandra
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