Constructing and Writing a Scene

Every scene is built in the same way as the screenplay itself. To create a scene, follow the rules that apply to the entire screenplay. Begin by establishing the context in which the scene takes place, rapidly present the scene’s main character (even if it is the hero), and make sure the audience knows what aim the hero has set out to achieve in this scene.

A short set-up may be necessary to give extra information or to lay the ground for subsequent events. Make the hero face what is stopping him/her from achieving his/her goal and see how he/she overcomes the obstacle. Once the hero has achieved the scene’s goal, end the scene and move on to the next part of the story.

Example Your hero wants to go to the seaside, but needs to use his/her father’s car to get there, without the father finding out. First he/she must manage to get the keys out of a locked drawer in the father’s desk (one scene), then explain to the mother who calls out from the kitchen asking for HELP that he/she can’t tidy up the attic because he/she has plans to meet up with a friend (another scene), then open the garage and drive away without being noticed (third scene). These three scenes are all part of a same sequence (borrowing the car), and each has the hero face a different situation and particular obstacle. Each scene has a beginning, middle and end and all three form the beginning, middle and end of the entire sequence. As we see, the parts are built in the same way as the whole.