In Preparing the Scene, Syd Field explores the dynamics of what makes great scenes, from finding the purpose to creating conflict by establishing a dramatic need.
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2 Responses to “Preparing the Scene”
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February 26, 2010 at 2:03 pm
I am a journalist. I have been trying unsuccessfully to write a book about an event that affected me personally over ten years ago. In January a movie shoot came to my village. Through a totally random incident I for the first time had a dramatic vision. Subsequently, the last week in January I purchased two of your books and, yes, I completed a first draft of my screenplay. I am in the process of playing with my index cards in an effort to refine the script. You have enabled me to ask the right questions to move my characters and storyline along in a new and exciting way. This particular podcast inspired me to critically examine my scenes. Specifically: I ask three questions, Does the scene reveal a character’s dramatic need? Does it reveal a character’s POV? Or both? If the answer is ‘no,’ then I’m forced to revise it or cut it. I have a long way to go, but this is the farthest I’ve come.
Thanks.
March 1, 2010 at 1:39 pm
Dear Jackie:
First of all, congratulations on getting this far. It’s an incredible achievement. In regard to your questions; first, your character has a dramatic need throughout the screenplay. It’s what moves your character through the line of dramatic or comedic action. But each, individual scene also has a specific dramatic need and it may be different than the overall dramatic need – like a fruit bowel can have bananas, apples and oranges. The bowl is the character’s dramatic need and the fruit is the specific dramatic need of your character in each scene. What you have to ask yourself is- does this scene move the story forward? Or, does it reveal information about the main character.
And, it can, but does not have to, reveal your character’s point of view. Many times you can show your character’s point of view through an image or how they react to a certain situation, and if it fits to the integrity of the scene, use it. If it doesn’t don’t.
Remember, each scene either moves the story forward, or reveals information about the main character.
Good writing,
Syd