Same Character in a scene

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Palmace

Same Character in a scene

Postby Palmace » Sep 30, 2014 5:49 pm

Working on script where main character goes back through memories of his life. While in those memories his character of that time period is talking and also the main character is speaking to person or entity that is showing him these memories. Such as in a Christmas Carol when Scrooge goes back in time and sees himself interacting while at same time he is talking to spirit. I searched for copies of that and saw one was referred as Scrooge and one as ebanezer, but my character is not known by different names, So how can I write this where the reader knows for definite which of the two is talking to. Such as one scene in his memory he is talking to others in the memory but they can't hear him or respond. Having difficult time figuring out how to write this in a way that is correct and reader knows which is doing the talking.

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Chris Huntley
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Re: Same Character in a scene

Postby Chris Huntley » Oct 03, 2014 10:29 am

There are a number of ways to handle it. If it is something where BOTH characters are onscreen at the same time, then it's best to give the younger character a name like, "YOUNGER SCROOGE".

If the older (present day) character is commenting via voice over, then you can keep the name the same but make sure you indicate the difference visually and use (V.O.) for all of the present day character's dialogue.

The key is clarity. It is more important to make sure the reader/audience is clear who is who at all times.
Chris Huntley
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http://dramatica.com/
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Palmace

Re: Same Character in a scene

Postby Palmace » Oct 03, 2014 8:38 pm

Thank you for your reply. I have thought about that "Younger" avenue but really don't like the age aspect of it. I was thinking more of a "Ghost of Girlfriends Past" perspective where Math. M was speaking to the ghost of Girlfriends Past at the same time he is watching his former self and his former self is also talking in the scene but not to him. Tried to find that screenplay online to read how they did it but have been unable to fin it or think of any other that did it in that manner.

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Re: Same Character in a scene

Postby Chris Huntley » Oct 05, 2014 8:50 am

If you don't like younger self, you could go with EARLIER SCROOGE, or MEMORY SCROOGE, or SCROOGE IN RECOLLECTION.
Chris Huntley
Write Brothers Inc.
http://dramatica.com/
http://screenplay.com/

Palmace

Re: Same Character in a scene

Postby Palmace » Oct 05, 2014 4:01 pm

Thanks for the info. Helped greatly.


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