A McGuffin (sometimes MacGuffin or maguffin) is a device that drives the plot, but has no real relevance. A good example is the briefcase in Pulp Fiction: viewers can speculate on its contents, but the truth is it doesn’t matter what’s inside; it’s just something to drive the plot. The term is often attributed to […]
What constitutes a scene?
A scene is a unit of story that takes place at a specific location and time. If one of these changes, you have a new scene. This is two scenes: INT. PETE’S ROOM – NIGHT He turns off the lamp and quietly nestles himself under the covers... INT. PETE’S ROOM – DAY A SCREECHING alarm […]
How do you label a scene that takes place both inside and outside?
If a scene transitions from INT. to EXT. or visa-versa, you should have a new scene heading: EXT. BACKYARD – NIGHT Masks pulled down, they insert the pick into the lock. They turn the torque wrench and enter... INT. LAUNDRY ROOM – CONTINUOUS If a scene breaks between INT. and EXT., you should include both […]
What is the proper way to handle a large group speaking at once?
There are a few ways to handle a large group talking simultaneously, depending on the situation. If the group is a constant background noise that is part of the setting, they can be written into the scene description: INT. CONVENTION HALL – DAY The massive room is packed full of Browncoats, BUZZING about all things […]
What is the proper way to label dialogue spoken by a group of characters?
When multiple characters are speaking the same dialogue simultaneously (as opposed to two characters speaking different dialogue at the same time), you will usually handle it with slashes. HOSTESS/WAITER/CHEF Welcome to Jurassic Pork! There are times where alternatives are also acceptable. If there is a singular label that clearly expresses who is speaking, for instance, […]
What is a script doctor?
A script doctor is an accomplished screenwriter hired to help a script overcome a few specific, nagging problems, usually just before the movie goes into production. Script doctors almost never rewrite the entire movie, but instead just work on specific issues that need last-minute addressing. Script doctors are not credited on films, and therefore do […]