CHAPTER 11
The Scene
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What Is a Scene?
A scene is a single event or conversation between characters that takes place during one
period of time and in one single place and moves the story forward toward a climax and
resolution. Some of the best scenes that you’ve seen will linger in your mind for the rest of
your life. Remember that sweeping scene of African splendor in the opening of The Lion
King,where all the animals arrive from near and far to pay homage to the new royal cub?
One event, one period of time, one place!
Scene-Planning Checklist
It’s time to take those basic beats from your outline and write each scene with focus and
polish. Consider these:
- What will this scene accomplish? Scenes may have a main point and a couple of minor
points. Each really important plot point in your script probably requires a separate
scene. - Where does it take place and when?
- Who’s in this scene? Which character is driving the scene?
- What do the characters want here? What’s their attitude? What’s at stake?
- Who’s putting up obstacles? Why? What does this person want?
- Is there subtext, an underlying meaning with people talking around a problem or
hiding it? Are people being direct or indirect in what they want? - Where is the tension or conflict? Tension can also be created by conflict already estab-
lished earlier or what we anticipate might happen next. Perhaps the audience knows
something that the hero or the villain doesn’t know.