Outlining on the timeline

[cdeemer]

Has anyone ever used title cards as scene holders to build an outline for a large project on the timeline, cards which then are removed as each appropriate scene replaces them?

I am starting a HUGE project, a feature length "micro movie" that is improvised around a tight story outline. I am a character in the story, a narrator with a camera. I've been thinking of how to build this project efficiently with a tight dramatic focus and have decided on this plan.

I will record the most essential narrative moments, placing the files along the audio track. I will build the appropriate scenes with a title card for each (i.e. Jane tells Joe she is leaving him), placing these along the video track. As I shoot scenes, I'll overlay them over the appropriate title card.

My experience watching improvised drama/comedy is that story focus is easily lost. I want to build a structure within which this is less likely to happen. Also, as a character myself and narrator, I have a lot of control about how scenes are interpreted.

At any rate, the use of title cards as "scene holders" strikes me as a technique others may have used and, if so, what else is in your bag of tricks to help keep the story on track?