How to Write a Scene

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There's two main stages of writing a scene; writing and rewriting. Today I outline how to write that first draft of your scene as well as how to rewrite that scene so that you can find and fix it's problems.
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#Screenwriting #Scene #HowToWriteAScene

[@TylerMowery]

Get Practical Tools to Write Your Great Screenplay: www.practicalscreenwriting.com

[@sebastienarroux3808]

Hello, sorry to bother you, but can you put subtitles on this video please ? As a french viewer, some words are difficulte to understand for me. But thanks for evrything. Your videos are greate !

[@Poisonedblade]

I've spent 2 hours struggling with a scene. Then I went for a short walk and realized, "Wait... this character wouldn't do this." Then went back and wrote it the right way in 15 minutes. When the motivations are accurate, the scenes just flow.

[@mr.skeletor1589]

Thank you Tyler for existing.

[@TylerMowery]

Thank YOU for existing Mr. Skeletor

[@angelt8949]

Amen

[@Ruylopez778]

When revising scenes, writers can also use the Story Grid "5 Commandments" -Inciting incident -Progressive Complication -Crisis -Climax -Resolution It can be a useful tool to see if the scene is building in a satisfying way.

[@Ruylopez778]

@@blueskye2790 There's a 5 part video on youtube that explains the principle of the Story Grid. kzbin.info/www/bejne/r2SQlapvmK6raNE storygrid.com/5-commandments/ storygrid.com/writing-scenes-work/ "There are two ways to frame an inciting incident: Causal or Coincidental. In either case, the inciting incident gets the story or scene going and makes a promise to the reader of what’s to come. Progressive Complications are the escalating degrees of conflict that the protagonist faces Turning Points are the peak progressive complications of a unit of story. Turning points drive the complications to a point of no return. The definable dilemmas that a character faces must coalesce into a question that offers a choice between two options, or a Crisis. A crisis asks a character to make a decision And the answer to these decisions is the active choice of the character, the Climax. Climax is the truth of the character. A Resolution is the necessary followup to everything that has happened before it. It doesn’t have to be long, but in order to feel like a story was completed, a resolution must be included and compelling." These 5 stages are a kind of framework, that you can apply to a scene, sequence, act, or the whole story. The character's "goal" in the scene/story isn't necessarily directly related to these individual stages (they are the stages the scene/act/story goes through) but obviously the inciting incident of a story is connected to the character's goal or obstacle. In some stories the main character's 'goal' is established later in the story (or the 'true goal' is revealed). A scene doesn't have to have *all* of these stages, all of the time, but if a scene isn't working, it can help to use this tool to analyse it. Does that make sense? Another way to think of it is that every scene is like a mini story in itself

[@chaeyoungvideos5742]

dude I get so hyped when I see a notification of a new Tyler Mowery video. You really make the best videos on filmmaking and writing on youtube

[@TylerMowery]

Thanks so much!

[@amazingbro6723]

@@TylerMowery hey Tyler, I know your channel is about screenwriting but have you ever thought of doing a qna video

[@joshanobody6948]

Same here. He's seriously educating me on how to write better and I enjoy jotting own notes watching his videos.

[@TomEyeTheSFMguy]

69th like. Nice.

[@roberthipolito1351]

Tyler Mowery, InDepthCinema & StudioBinder have been my 3 film teachers. I've learned so much from their videos. Awesome work Tyler, thank you so much.

[@HistoryDose]

I run a history channel, so my stories "bound" by factual events, but your videos have been immensely valuable to me with regard to building tension, revealing characters, etc.! Thanks!

[@JoJo-xp6wr]

You beat Tyler with bad dialogue, he hits you with story beats You beat him with terrible character development, he comes back at you with a story circle, and I tell you, you will wish you had finished him with the bad dialogue

[@TylerMowery]

Hahahaha

[@Hanbl-ip1tn]

Need this. Editing my first feature at the moment. All this series has been super helpful :)

[@Preston_Hudson]

Writing and making my first feature (two months from now it seems). Hope it goes great, it’s super stressful for me as I’m sure it is for you. Good luck

[@zaianmiguel]

Hows it going now??

[@Hanbl-ip1tn]

Done and dusted. I’m on my second at the moment which is one I have far more faith and drive to pursue making/filming. The first really was a test dummy😂 but at least it got me to write a full 110 pages with structure being considered. I did a beat sheet for my second one and that has ‘sped up’ the process by a lot!

[@zaianmiguel]

@@Hanbl-ip1tn Do you mind letting others check it out or read either 1?? Im currently in the process writing a first draft now.

[@noodle123ify]

I've been in writing programs, read books on script writing and been involved in writer's groups, and find everything in these videos extremely helpful, even if most of the concepts aren't new to me. Tyler does a fantastic job of synthesizing dramatic writing theory into a digestible form, as well as reframing some theories in his own words. The videos are thoughtful, smart, and encouraging. Thanks Tyler, I wish you great success.

[@rukysees3589]

i recommend your channel to every filmmaker i meet

[@TylerMowery]

That’s awesome! Thanks for the support!

[@1017saurabh]

Ten minutes of your videos are worth hours and hours of lectures in college classrooms. Absolute gold mine.

[@saiganesh7944]

You own a large part in shaping me as a writer

[@ditcher6146]

I watched so many videos but i always had confusion .... thanks brother you have solved my confusion ... love from india

[@OGMann]

I'm thinking about the scene in No Country for Old Men, with Chigurh and the store proprietor. I suppose the scene feeds Chigurh's need for control; but, it doesn't challenge or change him. The entire scene exists solely to show character. It is, in my opinion, one of the most powerful, tension filled scenes in movie history. The audience knows the stakes of the coin flip. They understand the old man is face to face with death. The old man senses the wrongness in Chigurh. He just doesn't know what it is. The calm, low key energy between the characters only heightens the dramatic tension. It moves the story forward by showing what a complete abnormality Chigurh is. Masterpiece.

[@miguelvidal2335]

Your content is pure gold.

[@redxiii_]

Your channel is GOLD.

[@TylerMowery]

Thank you!

[@puskraken]

thank you so much for this, tyler! you're such an incredible person for making these videos

[@TylerMowery]

Thanks for the kind words! Glad you like the videos

[@h.ar.2937]

This is perhaps the best writing advice I've seen so far. Cuz first draft and re-writing is part of the writing process! Awesome and subscribed just for this video. Keep it up, Tyler.

[@yoshiplays9773]

Yes this is amazing I need this for my script

[@pacohernandez1165]

At the moment i'm writing 2 scripts and i'm having issues with it, probably because i'm writing two and not focusing on one haha, but anyways, everytime i watch a video of Tyler explaining screenwriting process and points, not only informs and helps me but gives me a push of motivation, thank you Tyler. I'm binge watching all of your videos while i'm at work, instead of you know, working

[@geniosityfilms]

Awesome video! It's so important to keep in mind all the different "turns" of a scene, not just expositional but emotional. Thanks for this!!!

[@patsthebunny]

You sir, are incredible. I have always struggled with the idea of writing a script. It always seemed too daunting. You provide incredible information in such a clear and concise way that is easy to understand and put into practice! I finished writing my first script for a short film that I'm eager to shoot! Thank you and keep up the good work!

[@stevebeat]

I love your channel, for real! I've been binge-watching your videos all day! Keep it up!

[@TheBigB4000]

I have watched countless videos on writing screenplays, this channel is the best so far. Very helpful.

[@jamesduke2662]

I just watched it this past weekend. I also thought it was good. Following along with the screenplay helped me see how well it was written.

[@davidvolpov9247]

Flagged for Very Very Helpful

[@Z5Z5Z5]

Tyler is gold. Amazing quality content

[@ARTOFFICIVL]

This video is amazing!! Thank you so much.

[@manavdehi]

I am loving this series!

[@glenn_r_frank_author]

I see your points about having needs and conflict drive a scene and the story forward, but what about pacing? What about scenes meant to slow the pace, be more introspective or give the reader/viewer some rest from the relentless need/conflict/consequence cycle?

[@jmeslau]

Perfect timing, thank you for all this knowledge Tyler

[@TylerMowery]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@rajeshkumarjk9]

Its really useful for all the screenwriters and film makers... Keep doing and be an inspiration for many writer like me...

[@lucindanewcomb8769]

Love this one. Thanks, again.

[@DomBurgess]

Great video man.

[@LightningStrikes66]

Awesome Video Thank You!

[@royrieder2113]

Great prose writing advice too

[@DrJefflang]

Tyler keep up the good work.👏

[@Alexsey095]

Thank you so much for the right and practical information. You rock!

[@TylerMowery]

Thank you!

[@clowncinema]

Hey Tyler I just wanna say that I love your videos and they’re really helping me expand my writing skills. Do you think you could make a video analyzing the movie Her?

[@agrima2024]

You are helping a lot

[@kidanemariameyob8752]

Well explained and thank you. Keep up the good work.

[@amazingbro6723]

We've been blessed by Tyler

[@johnnysepulvedatv]

This is brilliant bro! Great tips! Thank you!

[@the-uc1gg]

Dude thank youuu!!! This'll help me to understand movie's plot

[@michaelbrianrawlinsactor]

I was literally waiting by the KZbin for this next episode.

[@Vishnuputhiyedam92]

thank you for this video, as you said this will help in getting rid of unwanted scenes... cheers

[@aadityanailwal7368]

You are doing great work man, keep it up

[@TylerMowery]

Thank you!

[@Rae066]

Great video as always, but moving forward with this series I believe you should take the lessons you taught us and apply them to bad movies/shows/comics or whatever. Too many times I search for lessons like these and they show only great examples, but not bad ones. Your take on justice league in this video was great because I had scenes just like this thinking nothing was wrong. Lots of people need help with writing and showing what/how not to do something can go a long way then showing what/how to do something.

[@ryanhowell4492]

I love this

[@dullboy475]

THANK YOU !!!

[@TheJaylaReshon]

You’re making me a great writer.. thank you 😊

[@ARTOFFICIVL]

Hey Jayla I like you watch different videos like this on KZbin and I’m looking to like put together team of writers where we can help each other with ideas and hold each other accountable to help turn our WIP in to finished polished pieces. Are you interested?

[@TheJaylaReshon]

@@ARTOFFICIVL yes very interested! Here’s my email [e-mail] / Instagram @jaylathemuse

[@silviacondori1440]

Thank you so so much for this new video. I am not into writing screenplay like... a lot? 😅😅 My passion are mostly novels, and thanks to you I've learned a lot to improve both my style and my stories!! ♥♥

[@aldunlop4622]

Yeah there’s a big difference between the two mediums. Novels require a lot more descriptions because it’s a non-visual medium. You have to describe the world, the scene, even facial expressions. Screenplays have to more succinct and to the point, because they’re mostly about dialogue.

[@silviacondori1440]

@@aldunlop4622 Yep, I agree in the difference between these mediums. But all in all, these are only tools at the end. They give us perspective and help us to analize where are the key problems all stories have at the core, which for me is the meaning and the capacity to create empathy in our audience. 🙃 And even though I haven't watched a lot of movies, I don't think movies are mostly about dialogue?? Not all of them at least. They are a visual medium for a reason, and that is the opportunity of show more than say. The gestures, the facial expression, the body language say more than simple words. 🙈

[@storywala88]

Very informational

[@itsPsychological]

Very helpful

[@pufelmulticolorido]

Always hyped for your videos. Are you going back to doing the live streams?

[@TylerMowery]

I may do them. They’re just really mentally intensive to give in depth story feedback off the top of my head while also keeping up with chat

[@KenyaWright]

Super awesome advice

[@DorseyShaw]

The old thumbnail was in my algo for YEARS. You definitely should change it back

[@RUSHMP4]

ok i get it, suicide squad is the best exemple when it comes to bad exemples

[@eugenetswong]

Thanks. I feel like this will help me to finish my first novel.

[@Rockstar-iu8ye]

2:13 There is probably a misinterpretation: It should be "If the SCENE leaves the STORY unchanged, then something is wrong. I know Tyler meant to say SCENE. Just wanted to make it clear. Love you videos.

[@TomEyeTheSFMguy]

It's a sentence mistake.

[@1949AKN]

Very helpful.

[@Leto85]

But what is Emily's scene goal in the beginning scene in The Big Sick, just to have Kumail drive her to her destination?

[@suryasivakumar7078]

Thanks for sharing, Tyler. It would mean a lot if you could dissect the cab scene in the movie Collateral, some serious philosophical conflict.

[@heyrama-itsshowtime007]

Hey great video..🥰

[@directorkamble9237]

Good information sir

[@noahlovesjesus3027]

Big fan bro. Could you do a video on how to make an opening scene? Thank you.

[@herrimanguy6361]

At 2:14-2:15 you said "If the story leaves the scene unchanged, then something is wrong." Don't you mean: "If the scene leaves the story unchanged, then something is wrong." ??

[@Poisonedblade]

People complain about Marvel Movies: that you forget the plot 15 minutes later. I can't even remember if I watched Justice League.

[@jefersonpedro928]

Justice League is a DC movie made by Warner Bros.

[@TomEyeTheSFMguy]

@@jefersonpedro928 yeah.

[@magdosaurus]

please add subtitles!:)

[@ryanford7443]

Don't mean to nitpick, but when he said, "If the story leaves the scene unchanged," didn't he mean to say, "If the scene leaves the story unchanged"?

[@TomEyeTheSFMguy]

That's a simple correction. And yes, I do believe he did.

[@clinton7846]

Notifications squad

[@SaiqaAskari]

Tq

[@miraclemorning5629]

Super... Make a video on how to write dialogue in a scene

[@TylerMowery]

Already did! Check my channel!

[@Harshal378]

Any difference between screenplay writing and scene writing?

[@thechuckleshow2470]

Their is a Difference of land and Sky

[@anavonrebeur6121]

To play or not to play

[@Nerf_Jeez]

Jam packed with useful info ONLY

[@Uncarnaled]

Very informative video, by the way are you still reading short scripts Tyler

[@TylerMowery]

Yea I’ll get back to it

[@benjaminread5287]

When it comes to structure is there a certain amount of scenes needed per act? Also are we gonna get some vids on writing episodes for a series rather than movies?

[@pacothesheep]

I don't think there's an exact number, but percentage-wise it could be 20:40:20 for each Act, respectively. Then again, you should only use it as a guideline if you're stuck, instead of as a format. Regarding writing episodes, you might want to try out Dan Harmon's story circle, or the 2-Act structure, which prevents the characters from undergoing too much change in the span of 1 episode.

[@Preston_Hudson]

Think of acts as less then the scenes in between but as the beginning and end of each act being a monumental choice or change that the character makes that effects the rest of story and other act points. Too long of an act one with set up feels like the story isn’t going anywhere. (Usually this is less than page 30, 17-25 is the sweet spot, but it’s not a rule remember, just a guideline) Act 2 is all about building to the midpoint, and the other half is the fallout of the midpoint. Act 3 is the response to everything the character’s learned from act 2 Amount of scenes doesn’t matter, depends on the film. (Pages and minutes does though most of time) More or less scenes just depends on the pacing of the story, if you’re making some small intimate character study, maybe a scene change every 2 min isn’t the best way to go. (Again a guideline)

[@TomEyeTheSFMguy]

You ever gonna do a video on theme?

[@acidspittingllama1865]

How do I actually practise the core fundamentals like what is the technique to learning the skill of a core fundamental. For example I've been trying to implement suspense while I write but obviously I'm a beginner and I dont know if its suspenseful since I'm creating it. I need a technique to learn the skill.

[@omnijonn277]

I can easily come up with a scene. I just have to write it. Lol.

[@ergocinema]

Tyler, what's your take on rewriting a script, not just a scene?

[@East9211]

Does this also go with book stories too?

[@silvanadonato7869]

In my modest opinion, as an audience, sure in an action movie the conflict structure of a scene has a sense. But sometimes it is good to breathe, to have scenes that release the tension, like some poetic moment given by a beautiful view, a moment of fun, etc. Of course always in the context. If the movie is just about achieving a goal, honestly is boring. I think that a scene in itself should be a sort of universe, where the audience should live an experience and feel like they lived another life. If it is just to give information to move the story on... again, it is acceptable for an action movie, but not in general.

[@s-idney]

Like those scenes in Columbo where he's chatting with his dentist or his dog. It just reinforces small things about the world. I like those. I love little dialouge bits too, where characters complain about television or work. It's actually really charming to have a scene that serves the purpose of showing us what these little blorbos get up to in their down time without dragging on for too long.

[@JoJo-xp6wr]

Question: Can the want of a character change with character development?

[@scrabdusanproductions2104]

Sure, if their want was motivated by their lie then overcoming the lie means finding a new want.

[@JoJo-xp6wr]

@@scrabdusanproductions2104 no I mean their goals elevate, from being a supporting role in something to be the one doing that something mainly?

[@benjaminread5287]

@@JoJo-xp6wr of course it can, it's just a matter of how their want ties in with the main narrative, or you could focus closer on him rather than bring him into the main plot and have a significant subplot in which he is the protagonist

[@JoJo-xp6wr]

@@benjaminread5287 thanks my friend

[@FabianEllis]

Haven’t you already made this video? Oh is this like an updated version?

[@politicalscientist8880]

This fit TV? What do we think?

[@joescho]

lets go

[@Gtex555]

5th!

[@abelmarcelino2401]

How to write a heist movie please

[@codyeasonBGR]

I cringed when i had to watch the justice league scene

[@TylerMowery]

It’s not great haha

[@codyeasonBGR]

@@TylerMowery when you said watch a bad scene i was like oh No! Do you need say more great example of poor writing.

[@kalakritistudios]

I remember only the joke from the Justice League.🤣

[@pinakichakraborty8759]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@therohitbabuofnotre-dame7182]

What is that movie where the guy is breaking a sink with a hammer?

[@Social-Ocean]

It seems to me that Tyler himself is confused in his arguments. Have a look: What do the characters want? "Find love" What is the problem? "One of them does not want to find love" It seems to me that either the first or the second argument is wrong. Because they are mutually exclusive.

[@Social-Ocean]

@aπостол антuxpucтa Right! And if she thinks so, then she does not want to find a love (in this scene). So why are "both characters wants to find love" (in this particular scene) ?

[@emhenriose1856]

Did each scene need to have a conflict??

[@TomEyeTheSFMguy]

Yes.

[@wrench246]

Why don't I use those four questions when writing the scene the first time?

[@andresoneca4414]

How to create relationships between characters, friends, father and son

[@benjaminread5287]

Draw from your own experience

[@antoine807]

10:06 Bat-mangoes

[@tamatera]

I think it would’ve been better if you came up with a scene then kept rewriting it until it is good.