Just a quick question, if anyone can help.
A script i am working on is set in a pub, focusing on a set of people around a table. The next scene is focusing on a seperate group who are by the bar. Do I 'cut to' the scene as I would if it were a seperete location, or does the camera action need to be 'pan to'?
I'll put this in writers' discussion so that the mob don't take over the thread.
For me, that's a CUT TO:
Although, you might specifically want the visual of panning over. But for me, panning is more of a film thing, it slows the pace down - which you wouldn't want for tv.
It's neither. Don't direct the director. Just put GO TO the bar where... etc.
Agreed, you shouldnt give instruction to the director.
But from the info given, it sounds like a natural CUT TO: point - which does need putting in.
No it doesn't 
MarcP - yes it does.
It's not a separate location though so it is not a new scene. And it was the pan to I was referring to really as directing the director, but if you put cut to in a middle of a scene - that is doing the same thing.
Nope. Still doesn't.
Okay - we are 100% agreed on the pan.
But the CUT TO: point does sound like a new scene. Yes, it is still in the bar, but is a different location in terms of what that means in the context of a script.
so, um, yes it (still) does.
If it is in the same room at the same or continuous time it is the same scene.
If it's real time, it's one scene. Is there a time lapse in the scenes in the smoking room you refer to... or is it time continuous. Do we see people leaving the door and coming in for example?
Good debate by the way, GO TO or CUT TO - I think we need Harry Hill
I just had a look at the script you mentioned over at the Writersroom Griff and it is, ahem, just one scene.
Some cracking scripts in the drama section I see.
LOl.
But very eloquently Griff!
I've read that you don't need CUT TO, since scene headings make it obvious that the scene has changed. I think the BBC writersroom say this, yet I've noticed CUT TO in example scripts on their site. In this case, you'd probably have a new scene heading etc.
A different scene is called for when the location changes completely, either to a different set or from an internal to an external or whatever, or maybe there's a time-lapse, so one scene needs to ends because the next scene picks up in the same location but at a later time in the day.
Also, what you describe here is definitely not a CUT TO: The action is filmed in one continuous piece in this scenario, and so the script should just read something like:
BOB:
Oh no, look who it isn't.
HE NODS TOWARDS THE BAR WHERE THERE ARE A GROUP OF PEOPLE GATHERED DRINKING. HIS EX WIFE SALLY IS THERE WITH HER NEW BOYFRIEND, MARK.
BOB:
Hold on, shouldn't that have been a "cut to"?
TOM:
No, that's the Director's job.
BOB:
Oh, right.