maybe a silly question?

[avid-dreamer]

Ok...hi guys. I need some advice here:

I am working on a scene where 2 of my main characters are speeding away in a car. They stop for a third person who is being pursued by the bad guys and this person dives in the back seat. I am wondering, are all the scene headings necessary? FOR EXAMPLE:

EXT. PARK - DAY

Alvin races across the grass.

INT. CAR - DAY

Simon grips the seat as Theodore yanks the wheel to the left and they swerve around a corner. He spots Alvin running toward them.

Simon
Hey, there's Alvin!

Theodore throws the car in reverse blah, blah, blah...

EXT. PARK - DAY

Alvin dives out of the way and just barely avoids being hit...blah, blah, blah...He dives in the back seat.

INT. CAR - DAY

Alvin breathes a sigh of relief as they drive off into the sunset.

It all just seems like too much to me. Is all that really necessary? Thanks again everyone!

[Plot Device]

I would super-streamline all those slugs to help lend to the frantic and rushed feel of these moments.



EXT. PARK - DAY

Alvin races across the grass.

INT. CAR - CONTINUOUS

Simon grips the seat as Theodore yanks the wheel to the left and they swerve around a corner. He spots Alvin running toward them.

Simon
Hey, there's Alvin!

Theodore throws the car in reverse blah, blah, blah...Meanwhile

ALVIN

dives out of the way and just barely avoids being hit...blah, blah, blah...

The car screeches to a halt and Alvin yanks open one of the rear doors and dives into the

BACK SEAT

where he pants madly. He hears the car screeching into gear again and he smiles at his

TWO BUDDIES

who grin over the seat at him from up front while the outside scenery races by in the view.




The way I've redone it, they are no longer scene headings but are instead now individual camera shots. They read much more quickly (none of that clutter of either INT/ EXT nor DAY/NIGHT) and they also stick the camera EXACTLY (or approximately) where you want it.




::ETA::

I made one change to my suggestion. I changed your choice of the word "DAY" to my preferred word "CONTINUOUS" in the one slug line. I feel that one word not only clarifies that the actions are all happeneing at the same time, but it also amps up the sense of urgency in a sequence where you are obviously linking several scenes/shots together to be one composite sequence. (But that's just my preference.)

[avid-dreamer]

I would super-streamline all those slugs to help lend to the frantic and rushed feel of these moments.



EXT. PARK - DAY

Alvin races across the grass.

INT. CAR - CONTINUOUS

Simon grips the seat as Theodore yanks the wheel to the left and they swerve around a corner. He spots Alvin running toward them.

Simon
Hey, there's Alvin!

Theodore throws the car in reverse blah, blah, blah...Meanwhile

ALVIN

dives out of the way and just barely avoids being hit...blah, blah, blah...

The car screeches to a halt and Alvin yanks open one of the rear doors and dives into the

BACK SEAT

where he pants madly. He hears the car screeching into gear again and he smiles at his

TWO BUDDIES

who grin over the seat at him from up front while the outside scenery races by in the view.




The way I've redone it, they are no longer scene headings but are instead now individual camera shots. They read much more quickly (none of that clutter of either INT/ EXT nor DAY/NIGHT) and they also stick the camera EXACTLY (or approximately) where you want it.




::ETA::

I made one change to my suggestion. I changed your choice of the word "DAY" to my preferred word "CONTINUOUS" in the one slug line. I feel that one word not only clarifies that the actions are all happeneing at the same time, but it also amps up the sense of urgency in a sequence where you are obviously linking several scenes/shots together to be one composite sequence. (But that's just my preference.)

OOOOHHHHH!!!!! Wow. That is sooo much better! Thanks so very much!