Describing characters before introducing them...

Gary the Llama

Gary the Llama

Well-known member
Okay, at the beginning of my script I have the two main characters in my first scene but I don't want to introduce them yet. How can I write this and still make it sound interesting?

Also, which is more correct?

A couple drives in the rain.

Or:

A MAN and A WOMAN drive in the rain.

I assume the first would be fine since I won't be introducing them until the second page or so. Is it okay to just say a couple? What about dialogue? Would I just call them MAN and WOMAN? Or should I introduce them by name in the first scene?

The impact is much more effective to introduce them on the second page but would this confuse any potential readers?
 
Re: Describing characters before introducing them.

Re: Describing characters before introducing them.

I'll throw this out there...

Why wouldn't you introduce them? As far as initial character development goes, wouldn't you want to know who you're reading about ASAP?

Now if you don't want to use their names in the dialouge until later, that's fine, because a good script reader, will understand what is going to be on screen compared to what is on paper. In your scene, if it's just a couple driving:
A. People will automatically think they're a couple.
B. Not know their names until someone says a name.

That's just what I've been taught. Hope it helps.
 
Re: Describing characters before introducing them.

Re: Describing characters before introducing them.

Thank you so much Phil, that's exactly what I was looking for. I'll introduce them in the script right away but not in dialogue for a bit later.

That's exactly what I wanted. Thank you!
 
Re: Describing characters before introducing them.

Re: Describing characters before introducing them.

Who's your audience?

Someone reading a screenplay is reading it for production, not as fiction/entertainment.

You're really not supposed to keep things hidden from the reader.

(But I like doing it, too.)

Dan
 
Re: Describing characters before introducing them.

Re: Describing characters before introducing them.

[quote author=Gary the Llama link=board=writing;num=1093495004;start=0#2 date=08/25/04 at 22:24:19]Thank you so much Phil, that's exactly what I was looking for. I'll introduce them in the script right away but not in dialogue for a bit later.

That's exactly what I wanted. Thank you![/quote]

Glad I could help.

Phil
 
Re: Describing characters before introducing them.

Re: Describing characters before introducing them.

I'd always say though, if you *can* keep it entertaining, while also showing all elements of the production, that can't hurt at all. It'll make the reader (ie. the men with the money) more likely to enjoy it, and they'll have a better taste in their mouths about it all. So I definitely would make it as good a read as possible...
 
Re: Describing characters before introducing them.

Re: Describing characters before introducing them.

you can transition between calling them 'man and woman' or 'couple' to thier names when you do introduce them later.

A couple drives in the rain. The car comes to a stop.

MAN
I love the rain.

JOHN DOE, the man driving, steps out of the car. The woman, his wife JANE DOE, exits her side, slamming the door. She holds a newpaper over her head in a futile attempt to stay dry.

JANE
Son of a ...
 
Re: Describing characters before introducing them.

Re: Describing characters before introducing them.

That's a good idea. I think either way works though. Calling them MAN and WOMAN earlier on and then revealing them later however specifically indicates to the production and the reader that they are only MAN and WOMAN in one part and JANE and JOHN in another.

Although, I read part of American Beauty's script and right off the bat they use the name of the character. In the beginning of Pulp Fiction's screenplay I believe they called them MAN and WOMAN although I could be mistaken about that... I'll have to look it up...
 
Re: Describing characters before introducing them.

Re: Describing characters before introducing them.

In the opening of Pulp Fiction's screenplay, they're referred to as "Young Man" and "Young Woman" - but I believe in the second part, they're referred to as "Pumpkin" and "Honeybunny"...
 
Re: Describing characters before introducing them.

Re: Describing characters before introducing them.

Yeah, so I was right... I thought so... thanks for clearing that up Mike ;)
 
Re: Describing characters before introducing them.

Re: Describing characters before introducing them.

There's no need to look anything up about Pulp Fiction if I'm here ;D
 
Re: Describing characters before introducing them.

Re: Describing characters before introducing them.

It really depends a lot on the audience. If you're writing for yourself, do what you like.

If the script is going to the production department, it will drive them crazy if the same characters are called different things in different places, unless noted as such.

Dan
 
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