Scene heading/transition question

lefty23

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I have a scene that happens in a motel room and then one of the characters goes into the bathroom. So i have the sub heading

BATHROOM -

When I go back to the other character, should i just use the main heading again or is there a better way to do this? See below, for my example.

INT. MOTEL ROOM #7 - DAY

Floyd sits on the side of the bed as Becca makes her way to the bathroom.

He grabs the remote.

BATHROOM -

Becca turns on the shower. She moves to the sink and grabs a toothbrush.

INT. MOTEL ROOM #7 - DAY

Floyd changes the channel.
 

brianjanuary

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You're already inside the motel room, so you don't need to repeat INT. again when you switch scenes.

So:

INT. MOTEL ROOM #7 - DAY

Floyd sits, etc. as Becca makes her way to the bathroom.

INSIDE THE BATHROOM

Becca turns on the shower.

IN THE ROOM

Floyd changes the remote.

This set-up makes it clear what the scene configuration is. Then, as the scene progresses, you can just refer to the locations as BATHROOM or ROOM.

The problem with this approach, however, is that if you have a long scene, you will use up a lot of white space. So another solution is to use INTERCUT, as in:

INT. MOTEL ROOM #7 - DAY

Floyd sits, etc. as Becca makes her way into

THE BATHROOM

INTERCUT BETWEEN FLOYD AND BECCA

Becca turns on the shower.

Floyd plays with the remote.

Etc.
 

Interrobang

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I'd also vote for the 'intercut' method. It's easier to read and ultimately it's the director who'll decide on the precise order of shots.
 

lefty23

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Thanks! I'll play around with both suggestions and see which one ends up looking better with the complete scene.