INSERT / BACK TO SCENE or else?

azdak · Nov 7, 2007

I'm trying to write a scene with major info dump, where I have someone go through a number of images and explain something about it while we see the image. Is there a standard how this is done?

Currently I'm going for the following.

Code:

[FONT=Courier New][SIZE=3]
She opens the book and goes through a few images.

IMAGE #1: IMAGE TITLE -- two line description of the image

                         ELENA (V.O.)
                explains something about the image

                         JAKE
                asks something

                         ELENA
                answers the question

She turns to the next image.

IMAGE #2: IMAGE TITLE -- brief description


etc.[/SIZE][/FONT]

I know there is a way to do it using INSERT. Like this:

Code:

[FONT=Courier New][SIZE=3]She opens the book and goes through a few images.

INSERT IMAGE #1: IMAGE TITLE -- brief description

                         ELENA
                explains something about the image

BACK TO SCENE

                          JAKE
                asks a question

                          ELENA
                answers the question    

INSERT IMAGE #2: IMAGE TITLE -- brief description

etc.[/SIZE][/FONT]

I do this about six times in a row and I think the INSERT / BACK TO SCENE method would look more confusing in this case.

Any advice?

dpaterso · Nov 7, 2007

In my opinion either way would do, they're clear enough and that's what counts -- but you could also go for less intrusive formatting (which I suspect is your question).

This excerpt from "RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK" by Lawrence Kasdan, courtesy of www.weeklyscript.com:

Code:

    Indy pulls a big format book from the stack on his lectern 
    and flips through the pages until he finds a large color 
    print. The other men gather to look.

    THE PRINT

    Fills the screen.

    It shows a Biblical battle. The Israelite Army is vanquishing 
    an opposition force. At the forefront of the Israelite ranks, 
    two men carry the Ark of the Covenant, a beautiful gold chest, 
    crowned by two sculptured gold angels. The men do not touch 
    the Ark itself; rather they carry it by use of two long wooden 
    poles which pass through rings in the corners of the Ark. 
    The painting is very dramatic, full of smoke, tumult and 
    sinewy dying men. But the most astounding thing in the picture 
    is the brilliant jet of white light and flame issuing from 
    the wings of the angels. It pierces deep into the ranks of 
    the retreating enemy, wreaking devastation and terror.

                          EATON
              Good God!

                          INDY
              Yes. That's what the Hebrews thought.

-Derek

azdak · Nov 7, 2007

dpaterso said:
In my opinion either way would do, they're clear enough and that's what counts -- but you could also go for less intrusive formatting (which I suspect is your question).

Thanks.

Yes, I meant least intrusive and asap (as short as possible). The example from 'Raiders ...' is really the shortest possible, but I'll probably need more separation if I do it several times in a row.

The need to stay as far as possible below 120 pages really requires effort. Which brings me to another question. See the thread 'How brief can you get?' (Coming soon.)

What's your opinion about that one?

INSERT / BACK TO SCENE or else?

azdak

dpaterso

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azdak