A question for the format wizards.
I have a scene in my sitcom where I want to trick the reader into thinking the characters are in one place then reveal that they are in fact they are somewhere else entirely. Is there as accepted way to do this without telling porkies in the slugline?
For instance:
INT. PRISON CELL - DAY
...rather gives the game away when I'm trying to trick the reader into thinking the characters are just bunking together.
Any ideas?
Why do you want to trick the reader? I can see why you'd want to trick the viewer.
Hypnotism?
I agree with Graham. The reader needs to know. What about:
It looks like Terry and June are in bunk beds, blah, blah. Reveal: it's a victorian prison cell.
I want to trick the audience - be it reader of viewer. The joke is lost completely if I have to fess the reveal up front. Surely there's a way to get around this?
Is the viewer going to be reading the script? I'm confused.
The joke is lost completely if I have to fess the reveal up front.
But I don't think it has to be funny to the reader. What's important is that the reader can see how it will be funny to the viewer.
Having said that, I've hit this problem too, and found it unsolvable, and probably gave up and wrote something else.
why don't you use the header
INT. ROOM.AM. DAY
n' then set the scene with description that leads the reader into thinking it is what its not.
Just don't tell them before the reveal.
A LOCATION. FRED AND JACK.
Fred:
That's a nice big one, Jack.
Jack:
Lovely isn't it ... just look at the head on it.
MARTIN ARRIVES TO SEE FRED AND JACK PATTING THE HEAD OF AN ENORMOUS FREE-STANDING HUMAN PENIS.
What's the actual example, Dave? Is this like "we think we're in a hospital but then we pull back and we are at Kempton Park races" or something?
Quote: Frankie Rage @ September 25 2008, 1:27 PM BSTJust don't tell them before the reveal.
A LOCATION. FRED AND JACK.
Fred:
That's a nice big one, Jack.Jack:
Lovely isn't it ... just look at the head on it.MARTIN ARRIVES TO SEE FRED AND JACK PATTING THE HEAD OF AN ENORMOUS FREE-STANDING HUMAN PENIS.
George Bush has said he's not going to make any more personal appearances.
Quote: Griff @ September 25 2008, 1:28 PM BSTWhat's the actual example, Dave? Is this like "we think we're in a hospital but then we pull back and we are at Kempton Park races" or something?
That's pretty much the deal, yeah.
It just seems like a shame to clue the reader into the joke too early. I know if I write a bullshit location in I'm going to come a cropper though.
Quote: David Bussell @ September 25 2008, 1:08 PM BSTA question for the format wizards.
I have a scene in my sitcom where I want to trick the reader into thinking the characters are in one place then reveal that they are in fact they are somewhere else entirely. Is there as accepted way to do this without telling porkies in the slugline?
For instance:
INT. PRISON CELL - DAY
...rather gives the game away when I'm trying to trick the reader into thinking the characters are just bunking together.
Any ideas?
INT. A UTILITARIAN ROOM
THIS IS A PLAIN ROOM WITH A WHITEWASHED WALL. SITTING ON THE BED ARE FRANKIE AND JOHNNY.
Quote: Marc P @ September 25 2008, 1:49 PM BSTINT. A UTILITARIAN ROOM
THIS IS A PLAIN ROOM WITH A WHITEWASHED WALL. SITTING ON THE BED ARE FRANKIE AND JOHNNY.
The trouble I'm having is that I keep returning to that same location later in the script and I've been told that altering the name of the location in the slugline partway through the script is a big no-no (much like changing a character's name).
But there must be special occasions where this is allowed. For example when Clark Kent turns into Superman, he must be referred to as CLARK: at the beginning of the scene and SUPERMAN: after he has torn his shirt off. Ditto the HOSPITAL that turns into a RACECOURSE? (This is all pure supposition BTW).
If it is for a sitcom David I really wouldn't sweat it.
