use of continuous

[AJ]

i have a scene where i show a runner doing a marathon and basically show her going through the race ... as time goes by ... in three or four shots ... it's really quick
here's my question
do i have to write:
ext. marathon -- day
each time i write what she's doing? (i have quick sentences underneath that basically say ..
As she continues ...
and continues ...
and continues ...)
or can i write
ext. marathon -- continuous one time and hope the reader understands that we are still at the marathon through the rest of the scene

hope that wasn't too confusing

thanks for your help, guys
aj

[lrutledge]

Sounds to me like a good place for a "Montage".

[AJ]

it kind of is ... a montage, that is ... but how do you format it? do i have to repeat the location again and again .... my main priority is to show that the race is continuing and TIME IS PASSING ... HMMM
any guidance?

[AJ]

plus ... i have several different characters at the marathon ... and they are all standing in different areas at the race ... kind of having interactions of their own ... so ... if i say ext. marathon -- day ... and use continuous ... does that cover all the characters, who happen to be at the race but in different locations at the race, or do i need to be more specific and say something like
ext. marathon finish line -- day

ahhh

[lrutledge]

After the slugline, you put "BEGIN MONTAGE", then list the shots that will appear and finish with "END MONTAGE".

For example,

EXT. BOSTON STREETS - DAY

The starting line at the Boston Marathon, John stretches and then readies for the starting pistol.

BEGIN MONTAGE

- The pistol fires

- THe pack runs out squeezing in from the sides preventing John from making much progress.

- John moves to the outside edge and runs towards the front of the pack.

- An overzealous fan bumps John, knocking him to the ground. The fall breaks his arm.

- Paramedics move John onto a gurney and load him into an Ambulance.

- The ambulance drives off.

END MONTAGE

INT. HOSPITAL WAITING ROOM - LATER

etc, etc.


Here is a URL I found with a little more information:
www.tameri.com/format/fmtscreen.html (http://www.tameri.com/format/fmtscreen.html)

Hope this helps,
Larry

-----------------------
Edited to add URL

[Deus Ex Machine]

Continuous means no interruption of the time line, for example:

INT. HOUSE - DAY

John opens the door and steps out.

EXT. HOUSE - DAY

John leaves the house.


It sounds like you want to show time passing, which is the opposite of what CONTINUOUS means which is that no time has passed and the time line is, well, continuous.


There are three ways you can do it.

Use normal slugs.

EXT. 57th STREET - DAY

They run.

EXT. 50th STREET - DAY

They run.

EXT. 45th STREET - DAY

They run.

Use a montage as was suggested.

EXT. MARATHON ROUTE - DAY

MONTAGE OF THEM RUNNING:

They run.

They run.

They run.

They run.

END MONTAGE:

EXT. 57th STREET - DAY

(note, int he montage example I feel a new slug is sufficient to indicate the montage has ended. Use END MONTAGE if you want to end the montage but not start a new scene with a new slug.)

and finally just write what you see in your head.

EXT. MARATHON ROUTE - DAY

Time passes as they run. They run. They run. They run.


HTH

[BROUGHCUT]

Unless he is dreaming that from the hospital bed, I think it's a SERIES OF SHOTS.

A montage is done in post production (and usually intermixes related events, often from different points on the timeline).

A series of shots will need to be filmed as such, so it's an important distinction.

Same format as above, just substitute MONTAGE for 'SERIES OF SHOTS:'

[Deus Ex Machine]

Technically the difference between a montage and series of shots is that a montage uses images that individually and collectively have no dramatic relevance but that relevance is created by the context in which the montage occurs. For example. A couple goes to bed followed by a montage of trains, rockets, pile drivers and corks popping of champagne bottles. The montage individual segments and collectively have do not create drama and do not have a traditional dramatic arc on their own but the drama int he montage is created by the context in which it occurs. A series of shots is made up of scene fragments that individually are relevant to the drama, contain their own dramatic beats and by combining the fragments into a whole the series has a dramatic arc. For example, a man learns the woman he loves is about to be married on the other side of town. Followed by a series of shots of him running across town to the church. Each fragment advances the drama and the series as a whole advances the story with a dramatic arc that is provided by the content of the individual fragments and the series.

IOW a series of shots derives its dramatic function and contribution to the story by the content. A montage derives its dramatic function and contribution to the story by the context.

But as far as HW is concerned the terms series of shots and montage are used interchangeably and no one cares except for geeks like us who actually know the difference.

[OkeyDokey]

Interesting definition, DEM. I've never heard that one, but it makes sense.

[Deus Ex Machine]

It's not my definition, I learned it in film school when studying editing techniques.

[BROUGHCUT]

Technically, montage is 'a process of selecting, editing, and piecing together separate sections of cinema or television film to form a continuos whole.' As you say, it's an editing technique. You couldn't cut this scene together from previous footage in post production, it would need to be scheduled into the shoot. That's why the two terms should not be used interchangeably.