Shakeout the eggnog; it’s time to get back to that script. I bet we all want a completed script in early ’06. This upcoming year will be a BIG Hollywood year, and more than one blogger will score with his or her script.
I’m looking for a small checklist to use at the end of a scene. Again I wouldn’t consider a scene just a change in slug lines. If a couple’s argument moves from the house to the car to Al’s Sex Toys and Tax Preparation, let’s call that just one scene. (What, you don’t have one of those in your town?)
Chris Soth noted that a good movie has 4 great scenes and NO BAD SCENES, so we should approach this with some seriousness.
Looking at this, I would say that it is too long. I want to include the necessary things, but I don’t want to dread to use it because it is too long. Any suggestions?
The Scene Checklist
Whose scene is it?
What does the scene’s main character want?
The conflict in this scene is:
The conflict is difficult enough. YES NO
Is there a better setting for the scene? YES NO
What “activity” is going on in the scene, if any? (jogging, shopping, repairing house, etc. Each brings a different tone and tension. Choose carefully.)
Do new characters make an ENTRANCE? YES NO
The characters (including dialogue) are unique. YES NO
What character is not needed?
What are the motivations behind the actions?
Do action and dialogue reveal anything about the “inner” characters? YES NO
Is the scene true to the “world” of my movie? YES NO
What do we hope for?
What do we fear?
The scene’s main character’s emotional + or – change was (started out cocky, ends up humble, etc):
Did I really get in late and get out early? YES NO
What, if anything, shows contrast? (A fish monger with Catcher in the Rye in his pocket.)
Is this scene PREPERATION for another scene? YES NO
Is this scene the AFTERMATH of another scene? YES NO
Do I PLANT anything in this scene? YES NO
Is there a PAYOFF in this scene from an earlier plant. YES NO
Does this scene employ DRAMATIC IRONY? YES NO
Is there any SURPRISE in this scene? YES NO
Okay, again, what should I add; what should I delete?
tags: screenwriting
Monday, December 26, 2005
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16 comments:
Wow, that list is comprehensive and kinda scary.
The most basic question of any scene is:
"Does this scene turn?"
Damn! Stu, if you're trying to make me cry, you are accomplishing that.
Damn. I hate it when I am forced to display my ignorance...but what does it mean for a scene to 'turn'?
P.S. Good list, BTW.
When scenes turn, the conflict doesn’t just continue, but it gets progressively more and more complicated. The conflict compounds itself.
Or something like that.
Me? Make you cry? How?
I've always (for the few years I've known it) interpreted the phrase 'a scene turn' to mean that a scene
(a) changes something; and
(b) that change pushes the story along.
Which is really similar to what oneslackmartian said....
BTW, I did like the list. Its just... scary!
Stu, I’ve noticed people from Down Under basically do two things:
1) win Oscars
2) maintain excellent blog sites
So, as always, thanks for the input.
Ha, you had me crying because I was trying NOT to make something scary. But you’re right, it’s a bit scary and there’s more I want to add to it.
Robert Hogan has a list at his site that I plan on blending with what I’ve got here.
To what end, you ask? I hope for something practical. Something useful.
I know the Twain-Morrison-Goldman-Chayefskyesque writers of the world don’t need such a thing, but me not so good.
What would be more practical? Working on my script right now would be more practical.
Thanks!
Mr Martian:
Well, if could manage to do both of those things in my lifetime then I'll be happy.
(Australia also produces the best cinematographers per capita in the world, I would say).
The list is scary not because of its length but because it makes me question my current script. In the 'oh my god, its all shit' line of questioning style. That's a VERY GOOD THING, even if its partially destructive at times.
I want something which will cause me to "revaluate all values" - spin my ideas in new directions and ultimately drive my story closer to realising its potential...
And sometimes you need tools, like lists, to help you do that because 'breaking open your eye' is hard, hard work.... and its something we often avoid. So I think its a good and noble end you are seeking.
My advice would be to condense the list to one page (which is what you're doing) and use a building strategy. So you start with some lighter questions that lead into the really tough questions at the end. Cause they're the questions which need to be answered but you don't want to be so afraid that you don't answer them.
Hi Martian,
Hmmm... I think someone touched on this (or stabbed it through the heart) but my question would be "Does this scene move the story forward?". This is a question I ask myself in my own writing. Not screenwriting, but novels. In fact, many of the superb questions on your list are the very questions I ask myself about my own work. By the way, your comment on my blog entry about prologues was very much appreciated. Happy New Year!
Thing I was quoting Elliott and Rossio when I said "$ great scenes and no bad scenes"...
...you can certainly always do w/more great scenes, but if you have even ONE bad scene...for want of a nail the war was lost...
Happy Holidays, all.
chris
milliondollarscreenwriting.com
I wrote a list for myself that I got somewhere. I have it as a stickie on my desktop for reference. These are some elements that should be in a scene:
Begins with an action that is underway
Clarifies the context
Demonstrates character
Express theme
Surprise Expectation
Raises the stakes
Ends by opening an issue
Ah, Elliott and Rossio, okay. I'm hoping that before anyone comes here looking for a grain of screenplay wisdom, that they have read EVERYTHING at Wordplayer first.
Stu, I have managed to reduce my checklist to a single page. It fits on the standart 8 1/2 by 64 sheet. I guess it's more like a single scroll.
Gang, Marjorie Jones is a romance novelist. For the link back to her site.
William, where have you been? You're killing two birds with one stone here. I'm looking for the perfect Post Its to have for a constant remeinder. Thanks!
Awful, I'm guessing you've been released by the hostile fog.
That "stickie" with:
Begins with an action that is underway
Clarifies the context
Demonstrates character
Express theme
Surprise Expectation
Raises the stakes
Ends by opening an issue
...contains the prompts from Sophocles, which has a built in checklist you use as you write each scene. Clicking on "details" in the toolbar brings up a little window that asks you those and other questions, so you can work it out or make notes (a little notepad is also available) to go back to that scene later on. One of the many reasons I use Sophocles, the latest version of which also helps you outline in a really nifty way...
You wrote:
"Who’s scene is it?"
That's grammatically wrong; It should be 'whose' scene is it?
As a writer, words are VERY important.
"Who’s scene is it?"
Zoiks! Let me change that before I end up on Fun Joel's "confusing words hit list."
I think that's a great list, no pruning needed.
I would add just one thing to Stu's basic question, and to your list too Martian:
"Can I cut this scene?"
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