I've written a couple of scripts that make use of voiceover and POV in some scenes. Should I separate these bits into scenes in their own right? Hope that makes sense.
POV as separate scene?
Personally, I wouldn't. I'd probably use:
CUT TO: KATH'S P.O.V
but others will probably have a better (or rather, the correct) solution.
Cheers Slag. I guess my main worry is that I clutter the script up with too much stage direction or too many pointless scenes.
The only thing is, if you're explaining what a character sees from their particular POV rather than the camera's third-person view then it will involve more direction. But if that direction reveals comedy then no one will complain. Or at least, not me.
I'd do like the Slaggs. Only less Welsh.
If it's in the same location I'd keep it as one scene and try to be as clear and brief as possible.
I was looking at the Peep Show script book and I don't think they ever mention POV, although clearly it's a big part of the show.
Quote: chipolata @ March 30 2010, 12:05 PM GMTI was looking at the Peep Show script book and I don't think they ever mention POV, although clearly it's a big part of the show.
It's kind of a given though, isn't it, being as every single shot is POV?
Peep Show sprung to my mind too but (going by what you say, Chip) it seems they may have published a script that differs from the writers' version because I'm not sure the director is choosing exactly where to add all the POV changes.
Not sure, being the key words in my post... isn't it always?
Quote: SlagA @ March 30 2010, 12:09 PM GMTPeep Show sprung to my mind too but (going by what you say, Chip) it seems they may have published a script that differs from the writers' version because I'm not sure the director is choosing exactly where to add all the POV changes.
The Peep Show script book, to me at least, reads like a transcript of the broadcast version, with minimal stage directions mentioned: neither a writer's script nor a production script. Something you can read once you are already familiar with the show's format.
As far as the original question goes, POV is generally something to be used sparingly in a writer's script. As SlagA says, it gives direction to the shot, so try to use it only if makes a pretty essential comedic or dramatic point. And no, no real reason to make POV (with or without V/O) a separate scene.
Quote: David Bussell @ March 30 2010, 12:09 PM GMTIt's kind of a given though, isn't it, being as every single shot is POV?
I'm not sure that it is, otherwise you'd never see Mark and Jeremy in the same shot together. I thought they just liberally sprinkled them through each show. I'm not sure there are many shows/films that are entirely POV shots.
Quote: chipolata @ March 30 2010, 1:02 PM GMTI'm not sure that it is, otherwise you'd never see Mark and Jeremy in the same shot together.
You see Mark and Jeremy in shots together usually from another character's POV though (even if it's just a passer-by in the street etc... and in one episode, they used a cow's POV.)
Saying that, they started breaking the "every shot is someone's POV" rule around series 3, though they still generally try to stick to that first principle.
Quote: Tim Walker @ March 30 2010, 1:07 PM GMTSaying that, they started breaking the "every shot is someone's POV" rule around series 3, though they still generally try to stick to that first principle.
Did they? Can you think of an example? Because my recollection is that the whole show is POV.
Quote: David Bussell @ March 30 2010, 1:12 PM GMTDid they? Can you think of an example? Because my recollection is that the whole show is POV.
The "engagement weekend" finale (series 3) where Mark takes Sophie to the Quantocks to propose, for example, does not fully stick to POV - i.e. when Mark and Jeremy are lost up the hillside. Although the majority of these scenes are Mark or Jeremy's POV, there are a few shots that break this rule. Go through any episode forensically and you will find the (very) occasional non-POV shot, though they tend to be brief and shot as hand-held so as to not be very noticeable.
Quote: Tim Walker @ March 30 2010, 1:18 PM GMTthough they tend to be brief and shot as hand-held so as to not be very noticeable.
Unless you have the ken eye of 'The Walker'.