Between the Scenes

Between the Scenes delivers a fresh approach to film directing, screenwriting, and editing. Once you've got your scenes planned out, this book steps in by shifting your focus to how your individual sequences and scenes connect to each other. You'll find new ways to create emotional feelings in your audience. From location choices, to character movement between scenes, to the use of music, scene transitions are where the meat is in your story, and now you'll discover a new pallet of creative possibilities.

TABLE OF CONTENTSIntroductionHow To Use This BookLooking at Films in a new WayFrom Instinct to CraftThe Hidden Art: Why nobody notices1. WHAT IS A SCENE TRANSITION?On the SetAnatomy of a Scene TransitionChoices at the TransitionThe Life of a Scene TransitionSix Major TransitionsTransitions Between Sequences and ScenesGrab your Script2. CHOOSING LOCATIONS THAT COLLIDEScenequakesCollision with oppositionsSudden AbsenceAdd More Drama to BoundariesMental MapsSingle Location Films3. TYING YOUR EVENTS TOGETHERThe TrainLinking Through SimilarityThe Wright WipeThe HookLinking Multiple Plots4. EMOTIONAL PEAK: CHARACTER ON THE MOVEOn the MoveLooking at the ScriptAnatomy of Character at the Scene ChangeEmotional IngredientsTo Show It or not to Show ItIf It's not in the ScriptDialogue in MotionAdding Other Characters5. EMOTIONAL EBB: SCENERY AND RELIEFGive Them a BreakThe Cinematic EbbVariations in Camera ProximityThe Audience Thinking and FeelingConnecting to Audience FeelingUses of SceneryObjects, Motifs, SymbolsOther Ways of ReliefStoryteller's Attitude6. MUSIC AND TRANSITIONSSilenceMechanical Uses of MusicTelling the Story With MusicVariations of Transformation TacticsUsing Pre-Recorded SongsThe Role of Lyrics7. PUZZLING THE SCENES TOGETHERTension and ReleaseScenes and their FlowLooking at the ScriptDeleted ScenesFragmentation and CrescendoIntensity of TransitionsTypes of Transitional ScenesBridging Them All Together8. THE TIME MACHINEStorytelling is AbbreviationWays to Show Time ManipulationTransitional Editing SpeedOther Time StylesWhen not to Show TimeGestalt's Cousin9. CASE STUDY: RIDLEY SCOTT'S GLADIATORThe Longest Transition EverMaximus Escapes ExecutionSleeping Through the NightCrosscutting To Family's MurderThe Big reactionCarried to Zucchabar10. TELEVISION VS. FEATURE FILM TRANSITIONSFilm and TV DifferencesCommercial BreaksMultiple PlotsThe Future of Storytelling