So You Want to Use a MONTAGE in Your Screenplay...

Montages seem like an easy way out, but in a screenplay, you can go off the rails too quickly. This video breaks down what montages are, how they should be used, and some tips for using them IF that's the screenwriting tool you want to use. We also cover a couple of ways for how to format a montage.
/🙌 T R A N S F O R M Y O U R S E L F
If you want to transform yourself into a successful screenwriter, apply to:
The Screenplay Navigator: bit.ly/BRS_TheScreenplayNavig...
If you’re tired of going it on your own and want my help:
The Screenwriting Fast Track Writing Course: bit.ly/BRS_ScreenwritingFastT...
Script Consultant / Story Consultant Services: bit.ly/BRS_StoryConsultation
The Complete Guide to Story Structure: bit.ly/BRS_TCGSS
🎁 S U P P O R T & S H O P
Help support me and this channel through Patreon: / bigredstripe
If you want some writer collateral-t-shirts, sweatshirts, mugs, hats, and a host of other delightful things-check out my store, Writing Delights: bit.ly/WritingDelights
🔔 S U B S C R I B E
bit.ly/BRS_KZbinChannel
💬 Q U E S T I O N S & C O M M E N T S
If you have any questions about screenwriting, drop them in the comments section. If it’s a short answer, I’ll reply here. If not, I’ll try to tackle it in a future video.
👀 D I S C L A I M E R
All links above are links to Big Red Stripe products or entities. If there are any links below this disclaimer, they might be affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with any of the links that I provide, I may receive a small commission, but there is no additional charge to you! Thank you for supporting Big Red Stripe’s channel so I can continue to provide you with free content about screenwriting.
📦 T O O L S & S E R V I C E S I U S E
SOFTWARE
Editing & Design: Adobe Products - After Effects, Premiere, Photoshop, Illustrator, Dreamweaver
Screen Capture: Movavi Screen Capture Pro
Epidemic Sound: bit.ly/BRS_EpidemicSound
EQUIPMENT
Microphone: Maono AU-PM422
Camera: iPhone XS, using Filmic Pro App
Lights: Dazzne D50 Dimmable LEDs
Tripod: Joilcan 66”
SERVICES
Website Hosting: Bluehost bit.ly/BRS_Bluehost
Learning Portal: Thinkific bit.ly/BRS_Thinkific
KZbin Research: VidIQ bit.ly/BRS_vidIQ
Store Hosting: Shopify
***
// I G N O R E
#bigredstripe #screenplaynavigator #screenwritingfasttrack

[@Davaldod]

As a director and editor, I just want to add that new screenwriters should be aware that many producers, line producers, production managers, and DoP's get a cold shiver up their spine when they see what is clearly meant to be a montage in a script. Why? Because the amount of space they take up on the page is always a mere fraction of what it will take to actually shoot. Sure, it's easy to write out 20 single-line sentences describing some action. But that might translate into 15 or 20 discreet locations - locations you have to go to and prep and park trucks at, etc., etc., etc. In other words, practically speaking, montages are ball-busters. To pull off most of them requires a radically disproportionate amount of time and resources. And, most of the time, someone higher up on the production food chain is going to come to the director and say, "Seriously. Tell me we don't need this montage."

[@AidanBlot]

As a beginner, this video was extremely helpful. Never mind what some of these comments say about how you explain what a correct montage is. I felt all the information extremely useful.

[@TGo-n-Roscoe]

I'm learning so much. Once I have a little money saved, I'd definitely enjoy taking some classes. I've always written, but never actually invested in it. Thank you.

[@BigRedStripe]

You're welcome. And if you ever have questions about anything I offer, let me know.

[@randomspirit]

I'm finding every video on this channel extremely helpful. Thank you for making them and sharing your expertise!

[@Blackballs721]

Rocky and Creed films all have some sort of montages where they show the main character training for fights, I am currently writing a screenplay so I was confused as to how to write montages like them

[@walter6574]

I'm a brand new spec writer, started on my script 20 years ago and finally put "pencil to paper". Just about done with my initial draft and feel reel (sic intended) good about it. After viewing countless mini lessons on script writing, I had many questions , "this rug ties the room together".

[@restlessnative9305]

My script ends on a montage and I've been wondering how to write it. This was invaluable information. Thanks!

[@samuelalexander1014]

'I think I need a montage because I need to show this passage of time without slowing the story down.' 1:00 'oh . . .'

[@TopFloorRestore]

what did you end up doing?

[@DJRobinson]

Thanks bro. Great Video.

[@chuwa8405]

Really helpful! Thank you for this!

[@BigRedStripe]

Glad it was helpful!

[@olohijeoyakhire2258]

This was very helpful. Thank you so much

[@BigRedStripe]

Glad it was helpful!

[@shashwatjoshi3123]

OMG you are awesome. I was just checking out stuff on how to write a montage in my script

[@BigRedStripe]

Thanks so much. Glad it was helpful and timely.

[@user-zd1jh5zz9n]

Very very good stuff.

[@lonerboivisuals6273]

Love what you do brother

[@BigRedStripe]

Thanks so much!

[@ahmedhasni3200]

your videos really sparked my imagination . thank you so much I want to use a montage of the characters in different locations (back in their past) followed by a flashback, but I want to make sure to not have the rules broken(of screenwriting ) . Also, I am struggling with the worldbuilding

[@BigRedStripe]

Glad they've been helpful. Main thing to consider when writing: make it clear for the reader. Clarity trumps "rules" every time. Worldbuilding can be a challenge, but don't get lost in the weeds. You only need to build it enough to evoke the emotional response from the audience you are wanting. Anything more than that is unnecessary.

[@frankfrickinbowers9171]

This looks like a 100k subs channel You deserve a lot more!

[@BigRedStripe]

Aww... shucks! Thanks so much... and we'll get there eventually. :-)

[@mikae208]

thanks

[@rajav-6844]

Very Encouraging to consider taking up montage for my short film

[@seppegielen2946]

I know this is an old video but great stuff!

[@FalconFordXR]

I'm writing an Australian Action screenplay. I couldn't write at all before I started, and had no idea of how the craft worked. Five years later, I've finally built a decent blueprint. My recent consultant was the first to inform me of the difference between spec and shooting draft as well as the blueprint - which I had no idea of. My current draft excelled from there. If I had that information earlier on, I would've probably completed the screenplay much earlier.

[@BigRedStripe]

Yes, but it's hard to suss through a lot of the information out there. One reason I have this channel: to shoot straight and not blow smoke. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@FalconFordXR]

@@BigRedStripe good work buddy. I'm sure it'll help other writers. Thank you for the video.

[@andilematomela2043]

great video

[@jefflester4979]

Thanks. A good example of a montage? The best one I know is Godfather 2? the christening scene, the swearing of the faith etc, while all the plan to eliminate the others is in train....

[@amberpateman3758]

This was super super helpful thank you! I want to include a montage style opening like the traditional coming of age/classic 2000s teen movies where we see the character getting ready and on the way to school etc. While it isnt either of the criteria for the audience i think it helps my script find its correct character and style. Is this a cut it out moment?

[@BigRedStripe]

This is probably fine, but three things: 1. Remember the script is meant to be read, so write it with that in mind 2. You probably want to use minislugs instead of formal sluglines for this montage... the first formal slugline will be after the montage is complete 3. While it is a set of scenes we've seen a gazillion times, make sure you have elements in there that feel fresh AND (most important) that show some kind of conflict for your main character and them overcoming it... the conflict part is really critical Hope that helps a little, and I'm glad the video was helpful. Thanks for watching.

[@amberpateman3758]

@@BigRedStripe oooh thank you yes! I'm kinda relying on it being an overused trope bc the whole idea for the show is like a coming of age story but for 2 two something LGBT+ ppl who never had their highschool coming of age moment! So all the cliches for a group of ppl that thought they were past their cliche moments, if that makes sense ahaha

[@anthonykaye3292]

Is comedic effect a correct/solid use for a montage? I use a timelapsed montage for comedic effect three places in my script, all in the second act. Once to convey an absurd contrast between expertise, between my protagonist vs. Support characters. The other two times to express personal quirks of the protagonist. The genre is a Crime-Drama/Horror.

[@bensondewalt8200]

I’m doing a montage where a character fixes up his cabin over the span of a day. Is that a montage or should it just be a series of shots?

[@michaelswaby5364]

The animation movie "Up" has slug-lines and scene headings in the montage and that is one the best montages ever done🤔

[@BigRedStripe]

Yes, but: 1. It's animation, and that works slightly different because of workflows 2. It's Pixar, and they animate and write the movie simultaneously, so you're probably looking at the final shooting script, which isn't always helpful for spec writers ...but there are always exceptions to anything in screenwriting. My goal is to give "best practices" advice, so if you feel your story warrants a different strategy, by all means, go different. Just make sure you have a story reason for doing it that the reader will understand. Clarity wins at the end of the day. (And _Up_ is a fantastic movie and also a great example of telling a story without dialogue... first 10 minutes is a masterclass on that one.)

[@alimokhtari8220]

Hi , can you tell witch app you just used in this movie for screen writting Or which you suggest

[@BigRedStripe]

I use Fade In for my screenwriting software, although I've recently started using Arc Studio Pro for the planning and the first draft. You can search my channel for "Software under $100" and "I Wrote a Screenplay Using Arc Studio" for more information.

[@ahmedhasni3200]

is it possible to do the same way for flashbacks ,and what if a single line or shot is replaced by a scene

[@BigRedStripe]

In theory, yes, you kind of do flashbacks the same way... sort of. It depends how involved they are. If it's a series of images, then absolutely the same. If there is spoken dialogue and other story beats, then it's not really a "montage flashback" but an actual scene that's a flashback. And if a single line is replaced by a scene because that's what the director wants to do, then that's what happens. And you'd be celebrating anyway because your story was getting made into a film at that point.

[@Murofly]

When people search 'how to write a montage in a script' they don't care about anyones opinion on if a montage is good or bad. It's a fundamental technique used in almost every film ever. Every screen writer needs to know how to format them. The question of if they're a high quality story telling technique or a crigney cliche really has nothing to do with how to write them. Two completely separate things. It's also silly to try spell out for people why they shouldn't write a bad montage.

[@BigRedStripe]

Murofly, thanks for the comment. Sorry if you're bothered by the content... this channel is more geared toward novice and intermediate screenwriters, and as a result, it's helpful for me to talk not just about the "how to do stuff" parts, but about the "why you should or shouldn't do stuff" parts. It's cool if you don't need that information, but there are others who are still learning, and I'm trying to help them learn the craft in a way that I know is of benefit to new writers. So it's cool if things aren't helpful to you specifically. I still appreciate you watching and leaving a comment. And if anyone is reading this and is just here for the "how you write it" part, skip to 8:01, where I open up my software and write some options of montages.

[@cap5364]

Newbie here. I found it very helpful. Thanks, BRS!

[@CritterElectronics]

I searched the same in order to learn how to format a montage in a script.

[@sunitashrivastava4004]

Can we use a shooting script formate. If we are giving the script to a producer, to read. Or it's good to use a spec script format only ? Does it depend upon person to person. That in which format he or she will be more comfortable to read. A spec or a shooting ?

[@BigRedStripe]

There are no differences in the format of a spec or a shooting script.. the differences are in what is included and what is not. A spec script is meant to be read, and a shooting script is meant to be shot. If you keep that in mind as you write, that generally answers most of these kinds of questions. So things like including shot directions, specific transitions, capitalizing every sound and prop... those are shooting script elements, not spec script. Hopefully that clarifies a bit.

[@malikholley236]

I have a question. How do you write out the montage of a spec script if there are different locations?

[@BigRedStripe]

I'm not exactly sure I understand the question, but one way to do it is to use MINISLUGS... essentially these are sluglines without the notation of INT. or EXT., and without time of day. So: AT THE OFFICE Frank packs the five things he owns. ON THE SUBWAY Frank stares blankly. Defeated. SUBURBAN HOME Frank reaches for the door knob... doesn't go in. LOCAL PARK Frank's on a bench, staring at the front door he didn't open. He picks up his belongings, and heads off into the darkness, away from his house.

[@testimony_jesutofunmi]

@@BigRedStripe what if I want to add a V. O like a little biography of the character while he checks different locations

[@Blastarr1]

Can you do a montage for a date to show different things they do on a date?

[@BigRedStripe]

You can do a montage for pretty much anything, so this would qualify. But you're essentially just showing various images / moments from one date, so it's not really considered a montage (technically). It functions pretty much exactly the same way, though, and you'd write it the same in most cases.

[@mtd1089]

Could you do a video on how to write fight scenes?

[@BigRedStripe]

Added to the list. Thanks for the suggestion!

[@mtd1089]

@@BigRedStripe Thanks 🤩

[@ironaspect6850]

if labeling a montage pulls the reader out of the story, why don't the very procedural slug lines do the same thing? They definitely remind the reader that this is a format and system instead of an unfolding story? I would argue that they are more disruptive than the montage heading.

[@BigRedStripe]

Most readers actually skim or altogether skip scene headings... the only time they notice them is if they think the next scene is in one location and it ends up being in another... then they look. But anything in addition to the normal sluglines is noticed. But that doesn't mean it's bad. Remember, you're writing a script to be read, so you want the reader to track with the story you are telling. And if you can write a montage in a way that makes 100% sense to a reader without labeling it as a montage, then go ahead (I've done this several times... so do many other professionals), so it's okay to not include it in a spec script. BUT... it has to make sense to a reader what you're doing.

[@awm4557]

with all due respect from my experience, double spacing is required in montages for timing purposes

[@BigRedStripe]

All good, and you can do it how you like... but remember you aren't writing a script that's going into production. You're writing a script to be read, so make the decision that makes it look good and easy to read on the page. If they pay you money and want you to double-space for timing purposes, do whatever they want. Otherwise, I opt for readability. And at times I have used double-spacing... depends on the nature of the montage and how it looks on the page.

[@daleandre7347]

This vid failed me. Selecting montage content "emotionally heightening for the audience" was initially meaningless, but via your battle-prep example I resolved that phrase to mean "select quick & interesting bits to show" which is no different than what I'd do with the verboten "passage of time" case. The only difference i see is the timespan covered - roughly simultaneous vs a longer time period - but if that's the only diff then emphasize THAT distinction in your advice.