Screenwriting : Please help...complicated technical question...:) by Victor Titimas

Yes, an insert before the interview scene would get the visual that you need for that series for the character and not get confused with what is happening.

If this interview is important to the character, then you can also stay in your character's POV, so we can watch the reaction of the character to the interview. Leave the interview on the TV, don't put it on the screen. ------------------------------------- INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT Character turns on the TV to watch the interview. REPORTER DAVE has some intro dialog. ON THE TV (or INSERT: TV SCREEN that works too) Happy Reporter Dave, jostled by slavering paparazzi, has intro dialog. BACK TO SCENE Character reacts to the off-screen dialog. ------------------------------------- If you need to switch POVs then, keep it simple. ------------------------------------- INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT Character turns on the TV to watch the interview. REPORTER DAVE has some intro dialog. REPORTER DAVE I'm here on the corner of Sunset and Vine where a breaking (blah, blah, blah). EXT. SUNSET AND VINE - NIGHT Reporter Dave speaks into the camera. Scene is set up. Interview happens. REPORTER DAVE That's all from here, back to you, Cherry. INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT Character turns off the TV. ------------------------------------- If your interview is not happening at the same time as your character it watching it (he's watching it the day after), then stay on the TV or clearly mark the time change in your slug. On a personal level, I'd do backflips trying to avoid conveying information in a televised interview. It's telegraphing "info dump", and we've seen it and seen it and seen it. Sometimes you have to (and I don't need details about your particular script) but it's something to think about. Can you find a more interesting (and more character-centric) way for your character to acquire that information?

Buy a copy of Screenwriter's Bible. Scene within a scene. Like this: INT. KITCHEN - DAY Martha slices bread at the counter , then pastes it with marmalade. ON THE TV an interview between a REPORTER and her husband JOHN at the Main St. Bakery. EXT. Main St. Bakery - Day John, fire extinguisher in hand, whimpers. JOHN I tried to put out the fire, but it was too much. REPORTER But what about the lighter fluid in your back pocket? INT. KITCHEN - DAY Martha chokes on a bite of bread.

You can set up the living room scene, then set up the street scene, and after that just say INTERCUT - This makes for a much cleaner read and allows the editor to do what they do best.

Each show has its own casting theme. Use it to inform the reader without giving an additional introduction (as a particular theme music or even voice over) while the camera is fixed on the main character to tell that he is glued to the television set watching the particular show. Cut to the place of interview where the action is taking place. Once the show ends we usually see guys shaking hands or playing the same theme music as used earlier, at this moment cut back to the initial setting ( Your character and his TV) If the character is obsessed about the actor or paparazzi or information supplied during the interview, the reaction is of prime importance as it either establishes his need or drives him in some direction. Hence you will have to intercut which is not a suitable option. In such case the show going on TV Screen with POV of the character slug goes better for me or may be a part of voice over intercut POV may also work. It all depends on the impact of the actor or paparazzi or information supplied on the character