Chyrons and On-Screen Text: How to Indicate Location/Time

"NEW YORK - 2019." "Three days earlier." "Sarah's apartment." Chyrons (or supers, titles, on-screen text) tell the audience where and when we are—or add labels (names, news tickers). The script has to specify what text we see and when it appears so the reader and production are aligned. Here's how to indicate location, time, and other on-screen text without cluttering the page.

One clear convention. The reader should know what we see and when—without guessing.

Think about it this way. In the film we see text on the image. In the script you're not designing the font—you're stating the content and, if it matters, the moment (e.g. "over the shot," "as we cut"). Industry habit is to use SUPER: or TITLE: or CHYRON: and then the text. Some use italics or a dedicated format. The key is consistency. Our guide on screenplay format covers general layout; this piece is about on-screen text as a story element. For text in messages and social, see format text messages and social media.

Location and Time Supers

Format: SUPER: "LOCATION - DATE" or "LOCATION" and "DATE" on separate supers if you prefer. Examples: SUPER: "LONDON - 1997." SUPER: "Three days earlier." SUPER: "Sarah's apartment - that night." Placement: Usually in action just before or as we cut to the scene. "SUPER: 'NEW YORK - PRESENT DAY.' We're in a cab." Or "Cut to: SUPER: 'Six months later.' INT. OFFICE - DAY." The reader sees the super and then the scene. For scene headings and flow, see screenplay format.

Character Names (Lower Thirds)

When we introduce a character and the film shows their name on screen: SUPER: "JAMES WILSON" or "SARAH CONNOR - DETECTIVE." Format it like other supers—same convention. For character intro and clarity, see distinct voices—the name helps the audience track.

News Tickers, Headlines, TV Graphics

News: "ON SCREEN - NEWS CHYRON: 'Breaking: Summit Collapses.'" Or "The TV in the background. Chyron: Markets down 3%." Headline: "INSERT - NEWSPAPER HEADLINE: 'Mayor Resigns.'" Specify the content; production will design the look. For multimedia in scripts, see multimedia.

When to Use a Super vs. Action

Super: When the text is full-screen or a formal title (location, time, name). Action: When the text is part of a shot (phone screen, billboard, newspaper). "She looks at her phone. On screen: 2:34 AM." No need for SUPER if it's in-world. For desktop cinema where everything is on screen, see desktop cinema.

Relatable Scenario: The Multi-City Story

We jump between cities and times. Format: Every time we change, SUPER: "CHICAGO - 2001." Then the scene. Keep the format identical so the reader and the editor know the pattern. For multiple timelines, see managing multiple timelines.

Relatable Scenario: The News Report on TV

The character watches TV. We see the report and the graphics. Format: Establish the TV (action). Then the chyron or headline content. "On the TV: Chyron: Breaking: Arrest in Case." For multimedia, see multimedia.

The Trench Warfare Section: What Beginners Get Wrong

Inconsistent format. Sometimes "SUPER:", sometimes italics, sometimes a note in parentheses. Fix: Pick one (e.g. SUPER: "TEXT.") and use it for all on-screen text that's a title/super. For format, see screenplay format.

Overusing supers. Every scene has a new super. The page is heavy. Fix: Use supers when we need to orient (new location, time jump). When we're in the same place and time, we don't need to repeat. For pacing, see micro-pacing.

Vague content. "A title appears." Fix: State the text. "SUPER: 'Boston - 1987.'" Production needs to know what to put on screen. For clarity, see screenplay format.

Mixing in-world and formal. Phone timestamp vs. story super. Fix: In-world text (phone, billboard) = action. Formal title (location, time, name) = SUPER (or your convention). For text messages, see format text messages.

Forgetting the reader. Font and size are production's job. Fix: Specify content only unless you have a strong reason (e.g. "in Russian," "upside down"). For foreign language, see foreign languages and subtitles.

Chyrons and Supers: Format at a Glance

Type	Format example
Location / time	SUPER: "NEW YORK - 1999." or "Three days earlier."
Character name	SUPER: "JANE DOE."
News / headline	ON SCREEN - CHYRON: "Breaking: ..." or INSERT - HEADLINE: "..."
In-world (phone, TV)	Action: "On her phone: 2:34 AM."

Step-by-Step: Adding On-Screen Text

First: Decide if it's formal (super/title) or in-world (part of the shot). Second: For formal, use your convention (e.g. SUPER: "TEXT."). Third: Put it where we see it—usually just before or as we cut to the scene. Fourth: State the exact content. Fifth: Don't overuse—only when we need to orient or label. For more on format, see screenplay format and multiple timelines.

[YOUTUBE VIDEO: Same sequence with and without chyrons—how they orient the viewer.]

The Perspective

Indicate location, time, and other on-screen text with a clear convention (e.g. SUPER: "TEXT."). State the content; leave design to production. Use supers when we need to orient; use action for in-world text. When the reader knows what we see and when, the format works. So pick a convention. State the text. And don't overdo it.