How to Write Title Cards in a Screenplay

Learning how to write title cards in a screenplay is something that many screenwriters overlook at first. The opening credits, or title card sequence, represents a flash of information that generally then includes the display of the film creator’s names in an entertaining and interesting manner. The use of title cards was very common during the silent film era, but title cards are rarely incorporated into a script these days. Although they may be seldom used, knowing how to write title cards in a screenplay is still important.

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    WHAT IS A TITLE CARD?

    A title card designates the graphic element that is used in a film to denote specific information about the film. When used in a screenplay, the term TITLE CARD is used to describe and to designate the graphic element that is not superimposed over the scene.

    The title card frequently comes into play before the first scene heading, and denotes the location where the title of the film is to show up on the screen. 

    HOW TO WRITE TITLE CARDS IN A SCREENPLAY

    Beginning titles or beginning opening titles are often incorporated into the film in a variety of ways. To incorporate a title or opening credit following a fade in, consider the following:

    FADE IN:

    EXT. RIVER MARINA – DAWN – ESTABLISHING

    Action line – 

    EXT. RIVERFRONT – DAY

    BEGIN TITLES

    Action line – 

    BREAK DOWN

    In the above example, the use of BEGIN TITLES informs the production crew about the placement of the film’s opening title, indicating it should appear at a specific point, though not necessarily superimposed over an image.
     
    In contemporary filmmaking, titles are most often superimposed, making the traditional title card rare in screenplays. Instead, you’re more likely to encounter superimposed title details, similar to how someone might request someone write my paper for me, seeking a specific service to meet a precise need, just as filmmakers tailor title presentations to fit the thematic and visual flow of a movie.
     

    HOW TO WRITE A SUPERIMPOSED TITLE IN A SCREENPLAY

    Learning how to write title cards in a screenplay is largely about how you will show your title. Because most of today’s films superimpose the title over an image, a traditional title card is not used.

    Instead, the title is superimposed over an image such that the text is placed atop the film footage. To show a superimposed title, or some other text over an image, your screenplay will look like:

    EXT. BEACH – DAY

    Action line – 

    SUPERIMPOSE: Myrtle Beach, Spring Break, 1975

    EXAMPLE BREAKDOWN

    In the above example, the words “Myrtle Beach, Spring Break, 1975” would be shown on the bottom of the screen and they would appear overtop the image that would be present on the screen.

    So, in learning how to write title cards in a screenplay, it’s important to denote where the title begins, this can be achieved with the words BEGIN TITLES followed by the action items and later ending the title card with the word END TITLES. 

    Using this format, or choosing to superimpose titles over your images, allows for versatile options as a screenwriter. 

    The use of a title card in a screenplay is not as common as it once was. Short, one page or less title sequences are acceptable for a screenplay, but should only be incorporated into the screenplay if there’s a distinct purpose behind the title card and sequence being used.