Opening Scene

Every opening scene has the same purpose: to draw the audience into the story’s world, in other words its context or environment. If you have thoroughly defined your context, you will certainly find an original way of bringing us into this world, with a characteristic scene: an intergalactic battle if it is set in space, a poker game if we’re in a gangster or games environment, or a woman giving birth if the story is set in a hospital or about midwives.

Example Paul enters his bakehouse rubbing his eyes and tying on his apron. He grumpily looks at his watch. He woke up late; his first batch of baguettes may not be ready for when the bakery opens. He hurries, turns on the oven, spills some flour and prepares the pastry in a rush, kneading it too fast, much too fast.

He grumbles to himself, and thanks to this monologue we learn about where he works and what his trade demands.

Later on we’ll see him in the shop setting out flat and overcooked bread.

EXERCISE 23 Choose a situation that portrays your everyday hero’s life. Choose a situation that allows us to discover where the hero lives.

HELP Remember that people are what they do. Policemen investigate, teachers teach, secret agents go on missions. Tell me what you do and I’ll tell you who you are.