Timelines?

[uncle_al]

I never saw the screenplay for Memento, so I don't know how that was handled in the writing...
It'd be an interesting comparison between that screenplay and the finished film, ya think?

Al Bouchard

[ScriptNurse]

Originally posted by Anorexorcist on 5-06-2005 5:20 PM:  Timelines?

Hello, I'm new to this BB and it looks like it's an under-used resource. I am about to begin on my first script (okay, so my first script that I'm going to finish) and will probably come here for advise quite often.

Here's my first question: The timeline of this film starts in the middle, goes back to the begining, goes through to the end (replaying the middle) and then shows realizations of the beginning. When I write the story, should I write how it will read, or in the sequence of the actual events?
Posted by ScriptNurse on 5-08-2005 6:07 PM:

Always write your script in the sequence that it will be when viewed on the screen. Do make it clear when you're in flashback mode. Now, it's almost always not a good idea to tell stories in flashback unless it's critical to the storyline, so be sure that it is.
Posted by Anorexorcist on 5-09-2005 7:38 PM:

Thanks for the reply. The flashbacks will be necessary, but will not occur until the end.
Posted by ScriptNurse on 5-09-2005 8:48 PM:

Ah ... it's better when at the end so the viewer doesn't have to keep track of everything while they're reading. I'd love to see how it turns out.