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](https://screenwriting.io/how-do-you-format-two-characters-talking-at-once/)), 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 […]
What does it mean to “break story” on a screenplay?
Breaking story basically means figuring out the screenplay’s blueprint — mapping out a story and coming up with a logically and dramatically consistent beginning, middle, and end, and the major checkpoints therein. ROBIN I finally broke story on that period family-horror-comedy idea I’ve been wrestling with. BRAD Nice! It’s cause for a small celebration. ### […]