Montage
How to format a montage in a screenplay. Compress time, show progress, and keep it visual.
What a montage is
A montage compresses time. It shows a series of short shots that convey progress, training, or the passage of time without writing each moment as a full scene.
The word comes from film editing. In a screenplay, it is a formatting choice that tells the reader: these shots belong together, they happen in sequence, and they move quickly.
How to format a montage
There are two common approaches.
Approach 1: Montage header with bullet-like action lines.
Write the word MONTAGE as a scene heading or action line, then list each beat as a short action paragraph. End with END MONTAGE.
MONTAGE - TRAINING SEQUENCE
A) Jamie throws a jab. Misses.
B) Jamie throws a jab. Connects.
C) Jamie ducks a hook. Comes up swinging.
END MONTAGE
Approach 2: Scene headings with a unifying label.
If the montage moves through different locations, use scene headings with a common thread.
INT. GYM - DAY (MONTAGE)
Jamie hits the bag. Sweat flies.
INT. GYM - LATER (MONTAGE)
Jamie hits the bag. Faster now.
INT. GYM - LATER STILL (MONTAGE)
Jamie hits the bag. The chain groans.
When to use a montage
Use a montage when:
- Time needs to pass quickly (training, travel, building something)
- The individual moments are not important enough for full scenes
- The rhythm of the sequence matters more than the details
Do not use a montage when:
- A single scene can do the same work
- The moments need dialogue to land
- You are just trying to shorten the page count
Tips
- Keep each beat to one or two lines. A montage is about speed.
- Let the shots build. Each one should show progress or escalation.
- End the montage with a beat that transitions into the next full scene.
- If the montage has dialogue, keep it minimal. A single line can land harder in a montage than in a full scene.
Try it yourself.
Open Scene Forges and practice this directly in the screenplay editor.