Crafting Scenes for film and TV

How to Craft a Scene

Directing as a Craft

• Directing is a skill that gets better as you use simple tools.

• Knowing how to make scenes is very important for directors.

• Mamet says that the scene is what directors should care about most.

• Small parts of a scene should help the scene, and scenes should build the movie.

1. Tell the Scene's Story with Cuts

• Tell stories by putting images next to each other. The difference between the images moves the story in the viewer's mind.

• Don't just follow the main character. Use cuts to show ideas.

• Example: Instead of showing a man looking in the fridge, rubbing his stomach, and saying "I'm hungry," cut from his face to the fridge. This shows the idea of hunger.

2. Find the Scene's Main Goal

• Every scene has a main goal: what the character wants to get.

• The audience will want the character to win if the character wants something.

• Every scene (and movie) shows a character trying to get something, even if it's just coffee.

• The scene is over when the character gets what they want or fails.

• Ask: "What does this scene want to do?"

3. Keep the Acting Easy

• The scene should give meaning, not the actors.

• Meaning comes from the shots and how they look next to each other.

• Actors should do their actions simply.

• Mamet says: Do the physical actions in the script simply. Don't try too hard to make the play better.

• The more an actor tries to show what the scene means, the worse the movie is.

• Keep it simple and without a lot of feeling.

4. Cut Out What's Not Needed

• Scenes should be like machines: simple but strong.

• Extra parts make it easier to break down.

• See if you can tell the story without something. If yes, cut it out.

• Every part of the scene (and movie) should be important.

5. Hold Back Information

• A good scene is known for what it doesn't say.

• Make the audience think by showing just enough.

• Too much info is boring. Too little is confusing.

• Keep the audience watching by holding back info, except what they need to understand the story.

• Holding back is a good thing.

6. Show Character Through Action

• Don't try to explain characters. They will show who they are by what they do.

• Character is what someone does a lot.

• 'Character' is what the person does to reach the scene's main goal.

7. Know When the Scene Is Over

• A scene ends when the character can't do anything else to reach their goal.

• The scene is done when the main goal is reached or can't be reached.

Differences Between TV and Film Scenes

Aspect

• TV and films are different in how fast they move, how long they are, character growth, story, feeling, how much viewers care, and money.

Pacing and Length

• TV Series: Slower, episodes are 20-60 minutes.

• Films: Faster, movies are 90-150 minutes.

Character Growth

• TV Series: More time to show characters change slowly.

• Films: Characters must grow quickly.

Story and Subplots

• TV Series: Many small stories across episodes.

• Films: Focus on one main story.

Feeling

• TV Series: Feeling can change in different episodes. More chances to try different feelings.

• Films: Feeling stays the same. Changes are small.

Viewer Investment

• TV Series: Viewers care about characters for a long time. Small things and slow changes are worth it.

• Films: Need to make viewers care fast.

Continuity

• TV Series: Scenes are part of a bigger story with parts not finished.

• Films: Story is complete with a clear end to scenes.

Budget

• TV Series: Less money for each episode means simpler scenes.

• Films: More money for bigger scenes.

Episode Structure

• TV Series: Same plan for each episode with scenes that happen again, like introductions and cliffhangers.

• Films: Each film is different. Scenes fit the story and not a set plan.