Superimpose

Format

Definition: Superimpose (often abbreviated SUPER:) is a formatting instruction to overlay text on the screen image. It is used for location titles, time stamps, date cards, and any on-screen text the audience reads. In screenplay format, SUPER: appears in the action line, followed by the text to be displayed in quotes.

Understanding Superimpose

Superimpose is how you tell the reader that text appears on screen — "Los Angeles, 1997" or "Three years earlier" or "Based on a true story." It is not part of the scene heading and not part of dialogue. It sits in the action lines and is formatted as SUPER: followed by the text. Some writers use TITLE CARD: or CHYRON: instead of SUPER: — all are acceptable, though SUPER: is the most traditional. Use supers when the audience needs information that cannot be conveyed through action or dialogue. If you can show the time period through production design instead of a title card, that is usually stronger. But sometimes "Tuesday, 4:47 AM" is the most efficient way to orient an audience.

Example in a Screenplay

EXT. MEXICO CITY - AERIAL - DAY

A sprawl of color and concrete stretching to the mountains.

SUPER: "Mexico City - March 15, 2024"

We descend toward a neighborhood market buzzing with
morning vendors.

Common Mistakes

Putting superimpose text in the scene heading instead of the action lines. Using SUPER: for information that should be revealed through dialogue or action — it can feel like a shortcut. Overusing title cards until the script reads like a PowerPoint. Forgetting the quotes around the on-screen text. Using SUPER: for text a character reads aloud — that belongs in props/action.