# How to format a montage in a screenplay > Signal the montage, organize its visual beats in action, and end it clearly when the reader might not otherwise know where ordinary scene flow resumes. Sources reviewed: 2026-08-09 Article updated: 2026-09-23 ## Direct answer For a short montage in one place, an all-caps action introduction followed by concise visual beats is usually enough. For a longer montage across locations, mark the beginning, give each beat a mini-slug or unambiguous location phrase, and mark the end. The format should reveal the sequence's visual logic—not prescribe every edit. ## On the page A multi-location montage with a clear boundary ``` MONTAGE - MARA LEARNS THE ROUTE — PLATFORM: She times the final train. — SERVICE TUNNEL: She marks each locked gate. — ROOFTOP: The harbor lights blink out, one row at a time. END MONTAGE ``` ## Current practice ### Match the container to the sequence _Context dependent_ A one-sentence montage does not need a formal block. A complex sequence benefits from visible start and end markers plus location-aware beats. Both are accepted when the reader can follow time, place, and progression. ## Accepted variations ### Single-line montage _Common choice_ Use one action sentence when the sequence is repetitive, brief, and does not need distinct story beats—for example, a run of unsuccessful auditions. ### Mini-slugs or full scene headings _Context dependent_ Mini-slugs keep a fast sequence compact. Full headings are clearer when locations will matter to scheduling, the sequence contains dialogue, or each beat behaves like a scene. ### SERIES OF SHOTS _Common choice_ Some writers use SERIES OF SHOTS for related images that do not imply the same compression of time. The terms overlap in practice, so describe the intended progression rather than relying on the heading alone. ## Where reasonable writers disagree There is no single mandatory montage template. The useful boundary is reader comprehension: the sequence should show what changes, where it happens, and when ordinary scene flow resumes. ## Mistakes to avoid - Writing generic beats that repeat the heading without showing progression. - Changing locations with no labels, forcing the reader to reverse-engineer geography. - Using dozens of full scene headings for a sequence whose purpose is speed, or compressing production-significant scenes into vague dashes. - Opening a formal montage block and never signaling its end. ## Submission versus production ### Submission or reading draft A submission draft should optimize for the reader's experience. Keep the sequence lean, visual, and specific; avoid camera-by-camera coverage unless a shot is itself the story beat. ### Production draft When each montage beat needs its own schedule, location, cast, or scene number, promote those beats to production-recognizable scene headings in coordination with the production team. ## Working in Plot In Plot, the MONTAGE and END MONTAGE markers and each dashed beat are Action. Give a beat a full Scene Heading when its location belongs in the scene list and the breakdown; keep it an action mini-slug when the reading rhythm matters more. ## Questions writers ask ### What is the difference between a montage and a series of shots? The terms overlap. Writers generally use MONTAGE for a sequence that compresses time or shows progress, and SERIES OF SHOTS for related images that do not imply the same compression. Describe the progression you want rather than relying on the heading to carry it. ### Do I have to write END MONTAGE? Only when the reader could otherwise miss where ordinary scene flow resumes. A one-line montage needs no end marker; a longer block across several locations should close with END MONTAGE or a scene heading that clearly takes over. ### Can a montage include dialogue? It can, but a line of dialogue usually means a beat is behaving like a scene. When a beat needs speech, a location that matters, or its own place in the schedule, give it a full scene heading instead of a dashed mini-slug. ## Sources and context - [Final Draft — Complete screenplay guide (montage section)](https://www.finaldraft.com/learn/how-to-write-a-screenplay-complete-guide) - [Final Draft's short and extended montage examples](https://www.finaldraft.com/learn/how-to-write-a-screenplay-complete-guide) These sources document current screenplay practice, software guidance, or production workflow. Screenplay style remains flexible, and any delivery brief or submission rule supplied by the recipient takes precedence. --- Canonical page: