Screenwriting Basics
Mastering the Art of Title Cards in Screenplays
Dec 18, 2023
By
Avinash Prabhakaran
Title cards, also known as intertitles or superimposed titles, are an essential element in screenwriting. They help convey important information to the audience, set the tone, or provide context for the scenes that follow.
Whether you're writing a silent film or a period piece or just need to add some textual information to your screenplay, mastering the art of writing title cards is crucial.
This blog post will explore how to write effective title cards in a screenplay.
Understanding the Purpose of Title Cards
Before diving into the specifics of writing title cards, it's essential to understand their purpose:
Convey Information: Title cards are used to communicate information to the audience that can't be effectively conveyed through dialogue or visuals alone. This can include time and location indicators, character introductions, or narrative exposition.
Set the Tone: Title cards can establish the mood or atmosphere of a film. Depending on the desired effect, they can be humorous, dramatic, or even eerie.
Provide Context: In period pieces or historical films, title cards can provide historical context, explaining the time, place, or events surrounding the story.
Now, let's delve into the steps to write effective title cards:
Keep It Concise:
Title cards should be concise and to the point. Avoid overly long or complex sentences.
Aim for brevity while conveying the necessary information. A few words or a short sentence can suffice.
Choose the Right Font and Style:
Select a font and style matching the film's aesthetic and era. Modern fonts may look out of place in a period piece.
Ensure the text is legible on screen. Test it with different backgrounds and lighting conditions.
Capitalize and Punctuate Properly:
Use proper capitalization and punctuation. Typically, title cards are written in all caps.
Consider the tone and style of your film when choosing whether to use formal punctuation or a more casual style.
Timing and Placement:
Decide when and where to insert title cards within your screenplay. This is often indicated by scene headings like "INT. BALLROOM - NIGHT."
Specify the duration each title card should remain on screen. This can be important for pacing.
Use Title Cards Sparingly:
Don't overuse title cards. They should only be used when necessary to convey essential information or set a specific mood.
Remember that film is primarily a visual medium, so rely on visuals and dialogue whenever possible to tell your story.
Match the Tone:
Ensure that your title cards match the film's tone. If your movie is a comedy, the title cards should reflect that humor.
Proofread and Revise:
Just like with dialogue and action descriptions, proofread and revise your title cards for clarity, grammar, and spelling errors.
Be Creative:
While simplicity is key, don't be afraid to inject creativity into your title cards. They can be an opportunity to captivate the audience and enhance the storytelling experience.
Examples of Effective Title Cards:
"New York City, 1920" - This title card effectively sets the time and place for a period piece.
"Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch..." - This title card adds a touch of humor and indicates a shift in the narrative.
"Three Days Later" - This title card conveys the passage of time without needing a lengthy scene transition.
In conclusion, writing title cards in a screenplay is an art form that requires precision, creativity, and an understanding of the film's context.
When used judiciously and crafted with care, title cards can enhance your storytelling and provide essential information to the audience.
So, the next time you're working on a screenplay, don't underestimate the power of a well-crafted title card.
