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Q&A Sluglines for same location but different periods, real and imagined

I do not know if there is a standard way, but I would write it in whatever way makes it crystal clear when the events are taking place. I'd create distinct sluglines for each alternate universe a...

posted 10y ago by Lauren Ipsum‭  ·  last activity 5y ago by System‭

Answer
#4: Attribution notice removed by user avatar System‭ · 2019-12-13T12:00:23Z (almost 5 years ago)
Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/12390
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
#3: Attribution notice added by user avatar System‭ · 2019-12-08T03:37:22Z (almost 5 years ago)
Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/12390
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
#2: Initial revision by (deleted user) · 2019-12-08T03:37:22Z (almost 5 years ago)
I do not know if there is a _standard_ way, but I would write it in whatever way makes it crystal clear when the events are taking place.

I'd create distinct sluglines for each alternate universe and use them strictly and consistently. Because this is a screenplay (meant to be used as a working document to create a film, correct?) and not a novel or even a play, I wouldn't worry about "spoiling" the reader by revealing the ending with the sluglines.

So you might use:

- Reality Present
- Fantasy 1 Dead End
- Fantasy 2 Murder
- Fantasy 3 Threesome
- Fantasy 4 Prison
- Fantasy 5 How I Met Your Mother
- Fantasy 6 Reality Last March

I used "Fantasy 4 Reality Last March" as an example of describing "action which the protagonist is imagining, but genuinely happened in the past."

For timestamps, if "(later)" is clear enough for you, use that. I would prefer "(9:15 p.m.)" or similar so there's absolutely _no_ doubt when events are occurring.

If at any point you intend this to be a written work rather than a performed one, then just number them Fantasy 1, 2, 3 etc. so that you _don't_ spoil the reader.

#1: Imported from external source by user avatar System‭ · 2014-07-15T10:19:17Z (over 10 years ago)
Original score: 2