Pre-Lap
Thanks for posting the script to The Nines. In it, you give some dialogue a “(PRE-LAP)” extension. This dialogue begins in V.O., bridges us to the next scene, and continues onscreen. Obviously, it’s a useful and commonly used device.
The term “Pre-Lap” makes obvious technical sense, but is it common enough for us unknowns to use in our scripts? I’ve seen some scripts that use “(BRIDGING)” or “(BRIDGE)” - or even put some explanation in action paragraphs. I’d hate to adopt “PRE-LAP” only to find that low-level readers think I’m making up my own neologisms, or using obsolete technical terms like SFX or M.O.S.
What would you recommend?
–bagadonuts
Pre-lapping is when dialogue begins before we’ve cut to the scene in which it’s spoken. Here’s an example from The Nines:
- He turns his back to the foyer, listening to the instructions on the phone.
- GARY
- Nine leopards run through the jungle.
- (listening)
- I bought two cakes at the store.
- His identity evidently confirmed, he hangs up. He looks back into the foyer.
- GARY (PRE-LAP) (CONT’D)
- The house is haunted. There’s a zeitgeist, or something.
- EXT. UPSTAIRS DECK - DAY
- Margaret’s brought coffee and pastries from Susina.
- MARGARET
- Poltergeist, and no. Maybe they were rats. L.A. is teeming with rats. They live in the palm trees.
Often, it’s a choice made editorially, during post-production, but you can also write it in if it helps sell a joke or moment. It’s common enough — and simple enough — that I think most readers will understand it in context, even if they’re unfamiliar with the term.
You should know that some readers despise pre-laps, despite their usefulness. If you use them, you need to have a vigilant script supervisor, because these dangling lines of dialogue can find themselves forgotten in the rush of production.
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October 25th, 2007 at 9:53 am
Can you explain the dramatic purpose of using a PRE-LAP? Not having gone to film school, I’ve never understood the purpose of it. Is it just a quick way to segue between scenes without having it seem too abrupt?
October 25th, 2007 at 11:57 am
Shouldn’t that be “teeming�?
October 25th, 2007 at 12:55 pm
No, pauldwaite, it’s referring to the Michigan Rats, the Lacrosse team. LA and East Michigan are teaming up.
October 25th, 2007 at 1:08 pm
Actually, Jacob, I think “L.A. is teaming with rats” is referring to the recently-formed Ratter’s Guild of America. They haven’t been in existence two weeks and I hear there is a strike brewing.
As a writer, I can make all the WGA jokes I want.
October 25th, 2007 at 1:40 pm
You’re right: It should be “teeming.” I fixed it. But man, “teeming” looks wrong.
October 25th, 2007 at 4:34 pm
I always label those as VO. Is that acceptable?
October 25th, 2007 at 5:07 pm
One problem I see with using only V.O. is that you might get a reader who thinks you’re ending the scene with a bit of voice-over narration and fails to make the connection that the dialogue is part of the next scene.
On a completely unrelated note, why is it that no spell-checkers ever recognize “dialogue” as a valid word? I hate that red line.
October 26th, 2007 at 2:15 am
I’m surprised to hear that “some readers,” meaning a significant number, “despise” pre-laps. Why? Is it because of the production worries you mentioned (the line getting lost in the shuffle)? Is it because it seems gimmicky, or maybe it’s overused by tyros? It seems pretty harmless otherwise.
October 26th, 2007 at 8:03 am
Is this the same as when you hear people talk in a diner e.g. but before you show them, you first hear the dialogue over the shot of that diner?
October 26th, 2007 at 9:46 am
The screenwriting term Prelap came up on the Done Deal Pro forum a while back.
There’s a Wiki page which explains it in simple terms with a basic example..
Here’s the link:- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prelap
October 26th, 2007 at 11:40 am
That wiki article pairs it with “O.S.” but that wouldn’t be proper, would it? The character might not even be IN that scene, so how could they be off-screen? “V.O.” seems more appropriate.
Also, to avoid confusion during production, couldn’t the words “After prelap” be used to start the new scene (only in a shooting draft, of course)?
October 29th, 2007 at 6:27 am
I’ve recently used this technique in a screenplay, and I labelled it O.S. since I didn’t know there was a term for it. It’s immeadiately followed by a CUT TO: and the next scene with the character whose speaking in, so I figured it was pretty clear, but at least I’ll know what to use in the future.
It’s unlikely to cause a problem this time since I’m directing and editing the movie myself, so I’m my own script sup.
Haven’t read The Nines yet, John, I’m waiting for it to open in the UK to see it first!
November 5th, 2007 at 3:47 pm
I was surprised that ‘pre-laps’ are scripted. surely this would be a Director/Editors job to determine?