British Comedy Guide

How do.. Page 2

Lol Laughing out loud

The point of me buying the book was to help with questions about script formatting and complicated scenarios (as above). I haven't found a book that describes those things more clearly or is as user friendly. Anything else it offers the reader is a bonus.

It's a great book to have around when you hit a sticking point, or you're feeling unsure about something. It answers questions like: "when should I use camera directions? how do I write a dream sequence? How should I write a scene where a character is talking on the phone and having a two-way coversation? What if you can only hear the person on the other end of the phone, but your chracter doesn't speak? What if I need to use a split-screen? How should I show a flashback/daydream? What should I do when a character wants to talk directly to the camera and other characters are in the room? What if I need a close-up on something, or to superimpose writing on the screen?

You can find the answer to these sorts of questions within seconds - much quicker than scouring the internet.

I suggest anyone thinking of buying it read the reviews first.

Hi guys, I've just ordered the screenwriter's bible also (amazon).

Could somebody please give me a hint as to how to structure a script segment where someone is in a room and someone is doing nothing other then observe them from outside with binoculars. It seems strange to keep changing scenes int to ext to int when all the ext stuff is is seeing someone with a pair of binoculars hidden in some bushes.

Sorry but very fresh to all this.

No, always a different scene. When you come to shoot the script, all the scenes and sets would be shot at the same time, it's not as if they film one bit and then run over to the next location and then run back and film the next scene and so on.

1. INT. HOUSE

2. EXT. GARDEN

3. INT. HOUSE

4. EXT. GARDEN

Shooting it:

1. INT. HOUSE

3. INT. HOUSE

2. EXT. GARDEN

4. EXT. GARDEN

I see, thank you so much Leevil :)

Quote: Dale Griffiths @ October 2, 2007, 10:36 PM

Hi guys, I've just ordered the screenwriter's bible also (amazon).

Could somebody please give me a hint as to how to structure a script segment where someone is in a room and someone is doing nothing other then observe them from outside with binoculars. It seems strange to keep changing scenes int to ext to int when all the ext stuff is is seeing someone with a pair of binoculars hidden in some bushes.

Sorry but very fresh to all this.

Hi Dale

Wouldn't this be one scene, as it would be basically viewed from 'outside' the window looking in? I assume you're not switching between the two (ie physically outside, then physically inside, then physically outside again?)

That I'd do as a single scene

EXT: PERSON INSIDE ROOM IS VIEW THROUGH BINOCULARS FROM BUSH OUTSIDE

or something.

Maybe look for the Peep Show script where Mark and Jeremy spy on Sophie. (I have no idea if this exists anywhere, just a suggestion)

Hope this helps

Dan

Quote: Rustle T Davis @ September 26, 2007, 9:23 PM

I advise anyone to buy the Screenwriter's Bible. It answers practically every question you could think of. It's the best writing book I've ever bought.

I've got my copy. It's ace!

Cheers for the recommendation

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