The concept of a scene in fiction comes from theater, where it describes the action that takes place in a single setting with a beginning, a middle, and an ending. A scene can also be characterised as a segment of story action, written moment-by-moment, without summary, presented onstage in the story.
In the exposition, sometimes a writer may quickly summarize events rather than using a scene to get to the next scene. Alternatively a writer will dramatize an event using the basic elements of fiction: dialogue, description, conflict, and suspense, among others.
The purpose of a scene is to help achieve coherence in a story. Scenes that are memorable will attempt to achieve as many of the previously mentioned purposes as possible. If the scene has no purpose or even has a purpose, but not a sufficient one to justify the space it takes up, cut it out! A scene lets the audience know that the setting has changed. The writer should have a goal to accomplish with each scene. Common purposes of a scene include:
- Advance story
- Show conflict
- Introduce character
- Develop character
- Create suspense
- Give information
- Create atmosphere
- Develop theme
The scene must move the story forward. This could mean introducing a problem or making a problem worse for the characters.
The conflict could be between two characters, a character and nature, a character and time, and so on.
The audience needs to meet each character at some point. A careful writer does not introduce too many characters in one scene.
Along with introducing a character, a writer can use a scene to show the character’s good and bad points.
Suspense keeps the audience’s interest going, perhaps more than any other element of fiction
The writer can weave information into a scene so the audience knows the background of the story.
Using conventions such as setting, weather, and time, the writer can create a certain mood in a scene.
Each scene should bring out the theme to the audience.
The sequence approach
The sequence approach to screen writing, sometimes known as “eight-sequence structure”. It is based in part on the fact that, in the early days of cinema, technical matters forced screenwriters to divide their stories into sequences, each the length of a reel (about ten minutes).
The sequence approach mimics that early style. The story is broken up into eight 10-15 minute sequences. The sequences serve as “mini-movies”, each with their own compressed three-act structure. The first two sequences combine to form the film’s first act. The next four create the film’s second act. The final two sequences complete the resolution and dénouement of the story. Each sequence’s resolution creates the situation which sets up the next sequence.
Length of a scene
How long should a scene be? No right solution exists to answer the question of scene length. Some scenes may only be a few pages or even a few paragraphs; other scenes may be dozens of pages long. The writer should consider what is being focused upon in a scene to determine length. Scenes that focus on description or exposition should be shorter. Scenes that focus on building suspense or expressing emotion should be longer. The writer should use his instincts.
How many settings should be included in a scene? Some writers argue that an ideal scene should contain only one setting. Although a setting could be portable, such as inside a car, on an escalator or in a dream world. Just as with the length of a scene, the writer needs to use his instincts when determining how many settings to include in a scene.
Beginning of a scene
There are many ways for a writer to begin a scene, but he should remember this goal: grab attention as soon as possible. To capture interest, a writer can begin a scene in “medias res” or the middle of things. Starting the scene in the middle of some dialogue, such as an argument, or action, such as someone pointing a weapon at someone else, would possibly hook the audience. If done well, description of a character or a setting can begin a scene; however, the writer risks boring the audience if the description is too large. A solution would be to insert a description among the dialogue and action.
Ending of a scene
Ending a scene properly can make the audience want more. When a point of view character has failed to reach a goal, the end of the scene is usually about to fall upon the audience. Sometimes a situation gets worse for the character; sometimes the character must consider their next course of action. The end result should be that the audience wants to see what happens next. The writer can facilitate this by showing the character’s upcoming plans to achieve the goal.
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