Basically, I have a character who is a Green Beret in a screenplay I'm writing. However, I want it to kinda just be something only mentioned toward the end for those that pay attention, when some others say something along the lines of "this is for Captain Casey." He's only on screen for a short period at the very start of the film, and he's in civilian clothes on a plane. I want nothing showing that he's in the military at all. Just looking for a way in which I might be able to just flash his last name. A name tag wouldn't work, as that'd obviously show he's in the military. Same with a tag on a backpack or something. Any others ideas? Was also trying to avoid having it be on the nose, such as a stewardess saying "anything else, Mr. Casey?"
The only real issue is that he's only on the screen for a couple of seconds, and I'm trying to avoid introducing an additional character into the screenplay just to say his name. I wonder if there are any sort of documents that maybe someone might have out on a plane that might have their name on it.
Maybe he's got some of his mail, or a magazine he subscribes to? That he brought to read on the flight.
Boarding pass, be it electronic or otherwise. A flight attendant (NOT "stewardess") is unlikely to call you by name anyway, unless you're in first class, and even then, I don't know if they do that on domestic first class in the US. On an international flight, he'll have his passport with him. He'll have some kind of photo ID anyway, whether that's a driver's license or something else. But presumably you don't want to show his military ID. Why would a luggage tag show he's in the military, unless it's a military flight? You put your name, home address and phone number on a luggage tag. He doesn't necessarily have to put "Captain Bob Casey" on the tag, just "Bob Casey".
Hmm, I like the magazine idea. Any suggestions for economical wording? Here's what I have so far, but I think it's a bit wordy: We close in on JOHN CASEY (40s) sitting in an aisle seat, reading a military magazine that features his full name and address on the label. Ripped, square jaw, a commanding presence, he's a true American hero.Want to communicate that his name absolutely appears on the address label, but want to be economical with my wording, as that's what's expected in screenplays.
This sounds like a cameo for some Easter egg later. My first thought is does it really need to be there?
Some people either tear off the subscription label before they throw it away. Does he have to be on the plane or can he be boarding/exiting? He rips the military magazine cover off, tearing the label that gives his name and address and shoves the rest in the garbage.
I would have thought that the fact that he's reading a military magazine and looks like an "all American hero" is a dead giveaway that he's military.
There are multiple apps on a phone that can show someone’s name. In my own phone, just opening an email shows my full name in the To/From field. My name also shows up on my chess.com app, Facebook, CashApp… can any of these just be open on his phone?
If he’s normal military he’d have his rank on address label and such, however if he’s special forces he might not. But a special forces operative who didn’t want to show out wouldn’t be reading a military magazine. I’d tend to say you’re over thinking it 1) if he’s on screen for that short a time he’s likely not significant and could be cut completely 2) if it is important the camera could just pan past luggage tag or boarding pass or whatever says Mr Casey
Maybe he could have a laptop - or anything - with his name engraved. Maybe there is a tag on his carry-on bag. Maybe he's holding his boarding pass and looking for his seat. Of course, someone addressing him "Mr. Casey" is completely rational. It's a direct way to dole out your information.
