Really stupid peeing question!

How about 'Bob is using the urinal.'

Bob goes about his business.

Think about the first Austin Powers, after they unfroze him. How did they write that scene?


Austin pees for a really long time? Starting an stopping in comical arrangments by the quirky antics of the actor(?).

Find a script that has it in and see how they do it. Then do it whatever way you're most comfortable with.

Anger Management has a scene, at least one of the Leathal Weapon does. I think one of Steven Segal's movies does, one where he's asked to turn in his badge and he plops it in the just used urinal. Hmmm...

I'm trying to think of others but right now I can't really think of it.

Oh, that one movie with Jack Nickleson (sp) where he turns into a werewolf. (Gee I'm great with movie titles today aren't I.)

From X-Files: Fight The Future

INT. REAR OF DOWNSCALE BAR - NIGHT - CONTINUOUS

Mulder appears, moving to the bathroom door. Only to
find an OUT OF ORDER sign on it. He moves to the woman's
room, but it's locked. Gathering what's left of his
wits, Mulder does what any red-blooded man would do in
this situation. He goes to the back door of the bar and
exits into the alley.


EXT. ALLEY BEHIND BAR - NIGHT

Mulder has found a place against a wall, between two
dumpsters. Jerking around in surprise at the sound of a
VOICE.


ANGLE TO INCLUDE THE MAN FROM THE BAR

He's not far from Mulder. His name is KURTZWEIL.

Mulder's weirded out as the stranger moves to him un-
threateningly.


Kurtzweil enjoys a little laugh over this.

Mulder stares at this man as he finishes, zipping up.


Kurtzweil unzips his own pants now. There is a moment;
one of those awkward moments where Mulder's not sure
what's about to happen. But Kurtzweil's just relieving
himself, too. Shuffling up to the wall, Mulder takes
this as an opportunity to head back toward the bar. But
Kurtzweil hails him again.

Kurtzweil continues peeing. Knows this got Mulder's
attention.


Mulder stares at Kurtzweil now. He's being toyed with.
He turns, opens the door into the bar. As Kurtzweil gets
a little louder.


Kurtzweil finishes nature's call. Zips up. Heads after Mulder.

Bob is at the urinal when [someone] comes in and sees Bob.

stuckupmyownera said:

Ok, I'm sorry I have to ask, but how do you put it when, in your script, a (male) character is seen peeing in a public toilet?

Bob takes a piss?
Bob urinates?
Bob uses a urinal?
Bob pees at a urinal?

This isn't the first time I've had trouble with this particular situation - they all just sound stupid!

Thanks. And sorry again

Click to expand...

I guess the question is: what type of person is Bob?

Is the type of person who takes a piss, pees, drains the lizard, etc. Write it that way.

Indeed, even the simple act of urination should reveal something about the character!

Bob takes a long, satisfying pee. He lights a smoke. Doesn't stop peeing.

Bob checks his watch as he takes a leak. Come on, come on... but it takes forever.

Bob pees over his own shoes. Doesn't give a damn. He shakes his leg as he exits.

Bob hoses the urinal wall, writes his name in imaginary snow.

Bob takes a wiz, puts it away, wipes his hands on his pants, exits whistling.

-Derek

Bob tinkled.

MattW said:

Bob tinkled.

Click to expand...

He really wished he hadn't swallowed that bell last Christmas.

-Derek

rofl

stuckupmyownera said:

Ok, I'm sorry I have to ask, but how do you put it when, in your script, a (male) character is seen peeing in a public toilet?

Bob takes a piss?
Bob urinates?
Bob uses a urinal?
Bob pees at a urinal?

This isn't the first time I've had trouble with this particular situation - they all just sound stupid!

Thanks. And sorry again

Click to expand...

The larger question that you are asking (though you may not realize it) has to do with the style of the prose of your text.

That style is not only specific to you, it should also be in keeping with the tone of the particular story that you're telling.

If you're writing a comedy, the text can have a generally light, humorous tone to it -- in which case, somebody can be taking a whizz. If it's a drama, somebody can be relieving himself.

If it's historical, they can be pissing (because that's a rather old expression -- they even pissed in the middle-ages).

Whatever you're writing, whatever phrases and expressions you use -- as a general rule -- should be in keeping with the overall tone of the piece.

So you shouldn't have King Arthur taking a whizz off the Castle wall.

NMS