The Sequence:

A sequence is a longer segment made up of a series of closely related scenes that together form a unified whole. Sequences need not be continuous; their events may occur at different times and places just as long as they are related to each other.

The Scene:

A scene is a unit containing a single and continuous dramatic action unified by time, space, content, concept, character, theme, or motif. While it could conceivably be a single shot a scene is usually a cohesive series of related shots.

PLANNING YOUR SCENES:

Before writing a scene you should consider the following characteristics:

1. Purpose-refers to how the scene functions in the story. Is it meant to tag a character, set a mood, or introduce a locale.
2. Internal Scene Structure (suspense and surprise)- points to an important quality of scenes-they are as carefully structured as a story line, and include a beginning middle, and end.
3. Characters appearing in the scene interact with each other. Each character wants something in the scene; tension comes from conflicting objectives. Typically one character's perspective leads a scene; the scene develops from their point of view.
4. Tension/Conflict-is significant because it can make most scenes more effective. This also applies to tension that is friendly or humorous.
5. Relationship to other scenes-includes the rhythm and flow among the scenes and transitions between them.
6. Setting and Staging-can do a lot to add interest and atmosphere to a scene.

WHAT DO SCENES DO:

Most scenes advance the story; they realize a beat in the story line. They may introduce a problem or resolve one, or they may introduce a complication. Scenes will introduce characters, present exposition (to fill in the back story), deliver some relevant information, establish a setting, create a mood, reveal character relationships, or express a theme. They could also present a comic relief, after a scene with lots of tension, short transition scenes, time transitions, and the often used for trailers, money scenes, actions that are overly exiting.

INTERNAL SCENE STRUCTURE:

The typical structure, beginning, middle and an end, is often used to internally construct your scene. You must also give your scene a sense of completion. A surprise twist is always welcome to keep the audience guessing during each scene. Similarly, a reversal of position or fortune adds spice to a scene. Try to enter the scene late, unless you wanted to. Don't show all the preliminaries, just get to the point of attack. In every scene, always leave an unresolved element so that the transition between scenes would have an element of suspense.

Sequences are not always continuous in space and time. A scene sequence can similarly develop discontinuously in space. Always consider the pace of each scene. How quickly should it move? How short should the dialog segment be? The tone and mood of a scene will reflect the film as a whole, as well as the purpose and content of the particular scene. In dialogue scenes it is a good idea to have the character doing something. This can avoid the problem of talking heads.

SCENE ATTITUDE/POINT OF VIEW:

Whose scene is it? Usually a particular character's presence dominates the screen-to one degree or another. Their attitude and point of view leads the scene. Subjective perspectives can be striking if not overdone. Make sure you give the scene to the right character.

SCENE SUSPENSE AND SURPRISE:

Suspense is generated when the audience is lead to anticipate an exciting development or payoff. Suspense frequently follows this cue-delay-fulfillment (payoff) pattern. The audience is cued to some impending action that is then delayed. We are kept hanging and our tension builds. Then come the payoff, and hopefully it is more surprising than what we expected. Play around with what the audience knows and of what your characters know.

Manipulating Knowledge: Letting the audience know something the character doesn't is a way to create suspense. We wait for the character either to find out or face the consequences. Much of our pleasure is anticipating the character's reaction to find out what we already know. The Payoff: The payoff should justify the suspenseful build up to it. Try including a surprise-something we don't expect.

• What is the scene's purpose within the overall story?
• What other functions does the scene serve?
• What scenes will come before and after the scene?
• Does the scene flow rather continuously from the scene before and into the scene after, or does it have a more autonomous, discrete, chunky feel to it?
• What are the transitions between this scene and those on each side of it?
• How does the scene relate to other scenes with respect to rhythm, flow, and pacing?
• What characters will be in the scene?
• What is each character's objective in the scene? What does each want?
• What is the scene's internal structure? Does it follow a beginning, middle, end, climax, and resolution pattern? Or another pattern?
• Does the Scene have conflict and Tension?
• Does the audience enter the scene early or late?
• Does one scene trust into the next?
• If one scene crisis is resolved, is there another left unresolved to move us to the next scene?
• How does the scene begin?
• How does the scene end? Does it have an appropriate button?
• Does the scene have suspense? A surprise twist? Other surprises?
• Does it have an interesting setting (or staging)?
• Does the scene need other things going on for additional interest?
• How does the protagonist deal with conflict?
• Does the scene stress action and visuals (not simply people talking)?
• Is the length of the scene appropriate for its place in the script?