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klitch

I'm currently writing a script set in the late 90's. I'd rather not start out with text at the beginning that says "1997" any idea how I can convey that in a more subtle way. Or is it just best to throw it out there and just say it's "1997"

The year is important because the characters won't have access to cell phones, gps units, or any other thing that makes travel so easy for us now.

I know cell phones were around back then but not for 20 year old kids on fixed budgets.

thanks
 
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wheatgrinder said:
Just pointing out that cell phones, gps and even "fire" was available on a consumer level in 1997.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h59IQi3GjCA

and the ever popular etrex GPS was offered in 98.. so..
Click to expand...

perhaps they were available, but 19 and 20 year old kids didn't have them unless they were dealing drugs, we had beapers at best, it's just the way it was.

The microwave was available in the late 60's also, but wasn't widely accepted until the 80's, just sayin
 
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maralyn said:
It's lazy to set your story in 1997 just because there are no cell phones back then. No one will remember being told it's set in 1997, because the cars and fashion haven't changed much so it will still look like now, and a lot of young people today don't even know they didn't exist back then.

And even if they do, they'll still be thinking, well, that wouldn't happen today.

Are you sure you haven't got holes in your plot that can't be plugged some other way?
Click to expand...

It's not lazy, it's a true story that happened in 1997 and the people involved didn't have cell phones or gps devices because we couldn't afford them, and at that point in our lives didn't really have a need for them.

These aren't plot holes it's just the way it went down.
 
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klitch said:
So true, btw i had a beeper as well, it was translucent green, and if i could i would go slap myself in 1997.
Click to expand...

With sympathy and respect :yes:, I offer:

Code: 
INT.  BANQUET TABLE, INDIE PRODUCER AWARDS - NIGHT

KLITCH (50s), distinguished looking with tuxedo as if right out of Ocean's 
Eleven, is laughing with friends at the nominees' table.

Across from him sits his lead ACTOR (30s), who receives a cellphone call 
at the table.  He cracks a large smile as he looks down at his smart phone.

                                             ACTOR
                            (to the table)
                     Who'd have thought?

He turns away.

Klitch sits back intent on the smart phone.

INT.  RADIO SHACK - DAY (DAYDREAM)

A 1990s Radio Shack with mix of components and products.

SUPER:  1997 - It was a dark and terrible time

A spectacled clerk is showing a YOUNG KLITCH a translucent green beeper.

                                            CLERK
                     It's sleek and will keep you in touch so you never
                     miss important calls ... ever again.

Young Klitch takes and picks it up.

A strong hand knocks it from his hand.

Young Klitch spins about to see his older, robust, chiseled self staring 
back with steeled determination.

                                            KLITCH
                      Don't do that.

The Young Klitch starts to reach down eyes fixed on this stranger.  (beat)
He retrieves it and slowly rises.

They face off each with a device wriggling in their hands.

The clerk ducks behind the counter.

(beat)

Young Klitch whips up his beeper.

                                              YOUNG KLITCH
                                    (rattling quickly)
                         Translucent green, water resistant, twenty number
                         buffer, customizable beep/flash/vibrate.

Klitch smirks as he holds up his smart phone.

                                               KLITCH
                                      (fast but paced prattle)
                          Five gigabytes of memory storage to hold over
                          three hundred MP3s, downloadable applications,
                          with roamable communication and data downlink
                          capabilities ... and web surfing.

(beat)  Young Klitch drops his beeper.

His mouth is slack jawed.

He walks towards the exit and pauses by Klitch.

                                                 YOUNG KLITCH
                                           (dazed)
                          Thank you!

Klitch smiles and nods.

Young Klitch staggers towards the store's door.  

He stops, straightenshimself and steps confidently into bright sunlight.

                                                                             END DREAM:

INT.  BANQUET TABLE, INDIE PRODUCER AWARDS - NIGHT

A waiter who resembles the clerk is standing in front of Klitch.  Klitch is
gazing into space.

                                                WAITER / CLERK
                            Did you want anything to drink, Sir?

                                                 KLITCH
                            No, I'm fine.  ... Well, maybe a Zima.

He looks up at the waiter who isn't sure what he wants.

                                                  KLITCH (V.O.)
                             Don't make me have to slap you!

                                                  KLITCH
                                    (to waiter)
                             Hell, just kiddin' ya.  Water's fine.

                                                                           FADE OUT.
 
Last edited:
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maralyn said:
It's lazy to set your story in 1997 just because there are no cell phones back then. No one will remember being told it's set in 1997, because the cars and fashion haven't changed much so it will still look like now
Click to expand...
Seriously? 97 was a WORLD different than today!
 
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FantasySciFi said:
With sympathy and respect :yes:, I offer:

Code: 
INT.  BANQUET TABLE, INDIE PRODUCER AWARDS - NIGHT

KLITCH (50s), distinguished looking with tuxedo as if right out of Ocean's 
Eleven, is laughing with friends at the nominees' table.

Across from him sits his lead ACTOR (30s), who receives a cellphone call 
at the table.  He cracks a large smile as he looks down at his smart phone.

                                             ACTOR
                            (to the table)
                     Who'd have thought?

He turns away.

Klitch sits back intent on the smart phone.

INT.  RADIO SHACK - DAY (DAYDREAM)

A 1990s Radio Shack with mix of components and products.

SUPER:  1997 - It was a dark and terrible time

A spectacled clerk is showing a YOUNG KLITCH a translucent green beeper.

                                            CLERK
                     It's sleek and will keep you in touch so you never
                     miss important calls ... ever again.

Young Klitch takes and picks it up.

A strong hand knocks it from his hand.

Young Klitch spins about to see his older, robust, chiseled self staring 
back with steeled determination.

                                            KLITCH
                      Don't do that.

The Young Klitch starts to reach down eyes fixed on this stranger.  (beat)
He retrieves it and slowly rises.

They face off each with a device wriggling in their hands.

The clerk ducks behind the counter.

(beat)

Young Klitch whips up his beeper.

                                              YOUNG KLITCH
                                    (rattling quickly)
                         Translucent green, water resistant, twenty number
                         buffer, customizable beep/flash/vibrate.

Klitch smirks as he holds up his smart phone.

                                               KLITCH
                                      (fast but paced prattle)
                          Five gigabytes of memory storage to hold over
                          three hundred MP3s, downloadable applications,
                          with roamable communication and data downlink
                          capabilities ... and web surfing.

(beat)  Young Klitch drops his beeper.

His mouth is slack jawed.

He walks towards the exit and pauses by Klitch.

                                                 YOUNG KLITCH
                                           (dazed)
                          Thank you!

Klitch smiles and nods.

Young Klitch staggers towards the store's door.  

He stops, straightenshimself and steps confidently into bright sunlight.

                                                                             END DREAM:

INT.  BANQUET TABLE, INDIE PRODUCER AWARDS - NIGHT

A waiter who resembles the clerk is standing in front of Klitch.  Klitch is
gazing into space.

                                                WAITER / CLERK
                            Did you want anything to drink, Sir?

                                                 KLITCH
                            No, I'm fine.  ... Well, maybe a Zima.

He looks up at the waiter who isn't sure what he wants.

                                                  KLITCH (V.O.)
                             Don't make me have to slap you!

                                                  KLITCH
                                    (to waiter)
                             Hell, just kiddin' ya.  Water's fine.

                                                                           FADE OUT.
Click to expand...

that's hysterical, I had forgotten about Zima, I may have to film that as a short, I'll give you the writing credit, lol
 
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