Scene Writing Skill Skill

Scene Writing Skill

Purpose

Write individual screenplay scenes that advance the story, reveal character, and engage the reader. Each scene should be a complete dramatic unit with its own structure, conflict, and resolution.

Scene Anatomy

The SCENE Framework

| Element | Description | |---------|-------------| | Spacing | INT/EXT, Location, Time | | Character | Who's in the scene, POV | | Emotion | Underlying tension, stakes | | Narrative | Information delivered | | Exit | How we leave, hook to next |

Screenplay Format (Fountain)

INT. POLICE PRECINCT - INTERROGATION ROOM - NIGHT

Harsh fluorescent light. Bare walls. A metal table bolted to the floor.

DETECTIVE SARAH CHEN (40s, tired eyes, sharp mind) sits across from MARCUS WEBB (30s, expensive suit, expensive smile).

A manila folder between them like a dare.

                    SARAH
          You know why you're here.

                    MARCUS
                (leaning back)
          Enlighten me.

Sarah opens the folder. Crime scene photos. Blood. Chaos.

                    SARAH
          Your fingerprints. Her blood.
          Her dying breath, calling out
          your name.

Marcus doesn't flinch. His smile never wavers.

                    MARCUS
          Detective... I have an alibi.

                    SARAH
          So did every guilty man I ever caught.

She slides one photo across the table. Marcus looks at it.

For just a moment—something flickers in his eyes.

                    MARCUS
          I want my lawyer.

Sarah smiles. Finally. A crack.

Formatting Rules

Slugline (Scene Heading)

INT. or EXT.
LOCATION NAME (in caps)
TIME OF DAY (DAY, NIGHT, CONTINUOUS, LATER, SAME)

Examples:

INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY
EXT. BROOKLYN BRIDGE - NIGHT
INT./EXT. CAR (MOVING) - CONTINUOUS

Action Lines

Present tense, active voice
3-4 lines max per paragraph
WHITE SPACE for pacing
CHARACTER NAMES in CAPS on first appearance
Sounds in CAPS (BANG, CRASH)
Only describe what we SEE and HEAR

Dialogue

Character name centered, ALL CAPS
Parentheticals (sparingly) for tone/direction
Dialogue left-aligned under name
Keep speeches short—film is visual

Transitions

Use sparingly: CUT TO:, SMASH CUT TO:, DISSOLVE TO:
Most scene changes are implied cuts
FADE IN: at start, FADE OUT. at end

Scene Structure

Mini Three-Act

Every scene has its own structure:

Beginning (10%)

Establish location/time
Character enters situation
Scene goal introduced

Middle (80%)

Conflict develops
Stakes escalate
Complications arise
Information delivered

End (10%)

Scene climax
Value shift
Hook to next scene

Value Shift

Every scene should shift a value:

Hope → Despair
Trust → Suspicion
Power → Vulnerability
Ignorance → Knowledge

Scene Types

Dialogue Scene

Characters talking
Subtext underneath
Physical action woven in
Avoid "talking heads"

Action Scene

Visual storytelling
Minimal dialogue
Clear geography
Beat-by-beat choreography

Montage

Series of shots
Passage of time
Unified by theme or music
Each shot advances story

Intercut

Parallel action
Multiple locations
Build tension through comparison
> INTERCUT - LOCATION A/LOCATION B

Writing Tips

Pacing

Fast pace:
- Short sentences.
- Fragments.
- White space.
- Action verbs.

Slower pace:
The room settles into silence. Dust motes drift through the
shaft of light from the window. Somewhere, a clock ticks.

Visual Writing

Instead of: "John is sad about his breakup." Write: "John sits alone at a table for two. An untouched birthday cake. Two candles, unlit."

Subtext

On the nose: "I'm angry at you for lying!" Subtext: "Did you have a nice evening?"

Scene Checklist

[ ] Does the scene advance plot?
[ ] Does it reveal character?
[ ] Is there conflict?
[ ] Does a value shift?
[ ] Could any lines be cut?
[ ] Is there subtext?
[ ] Does it end with a hook?
[ ] Is formatting correct?

Common Mistakes

Overwriting - Trust the reader
Camera directions - Not your job
Internal thoughts - Can't be filmed
Too much dialogue - Show, don't tell
No conflict - Every scene needs tension
Weak endings - End on strength

Output Format

INT. [LOCATION] - [TIME]

[Opening action/description - 2-3 lines]

[CHARACTER NAME] ([age, brief description]) [action].

                    [CHARACTER]
          [Dialogue]

[Action/response]

                    [OTHER CHARACTER]
                ([parenthetical])
          [Dialogue]

[Scene climax/turning point]

[Exit action - hook to next scene]

Agent Skills: Scene Writing Skill

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