Screenwriting : Ways to End a Scene by Maurice Vaughan

That is VERY cool. I can't say as I have any special ways to end scenes... just when the beat feels right, I guess.

Good job Maurice-clever.

Thanks, Jerry Robbins. That's important. Knowing when to end a scene. Sometimes writers end scenes too early, and sometimes they end scenes too late. I've been there.

Thanks, Jon Shallit. I probably picked up the idea (show an object, vehicle, or action that’s similar to the first action line in the next scene) while watching movies.

yes this is cool but not be a real make it more real

but this scene can be a clue in the mystery films

this scene can be a clue in end seen of mysterious like film

Hi, Piyush Bhawsar. Welcome to the community. I like that idea. Making the scene a clue in a Mystery film.

Stage 32 had a live Community Open House this past Friday. You can watch the recording here (www.stage32.com/education/products/stage-32-community-open-house-webcast-1). It'll help you navigate Stage 32 and connect with creatives and industry pros all over the world.

Stage 32 also has a blog about navigating the platform and making connections: www.stage32.com/blog/how-to-successfully-navigate-the-stage-32-platform-...

I suggest adding a profile picture and more information to your profile bio. People will feel more comfortable networking and collaborating with you if they know what you look like. And if you have a picture, your profile will show up when someone searches for you. A detailed bio will help you build relationships/network on here. You could add things to your bio like why you became a screenwriter and director, your accomplishments, your goals, and what movies and shows you like.

At my age, writing a screenplay writing novels, poetry, and plays I have found so different and difficult. It is really a creation of one's vision or beliefs of life to present to your fellow man that is also extremely different and specific to create a story. So many extremely critical movements within the script that for me, of just writing lines of life seem so easy in comparison. But, I'm trying with a screenplay for the first time with a group of young folks (Carnegie Screenwriters) here in Pittsburgh who simply love screenwriting stories of today's version of life. So thanks for the commentary and I'll keep trying to present the story. Can you believe it, that this old dude would write a screenplay about an extremely intelligent woman running a company who would dare making some of the men who work for her, provide sex for her apparent needs. How disgusting and the one guy who walks out on her when she proposes that he have sex with her, walks out. Well he got fired a few days later, but this man, married with two little kids, sues her. So the play goes into court and has an interesting ending, I must say. But, its me, the writer who writes poetry, novels and plays (DaveBorlandWriter.com) trying to write a screenplay of the above. Oh, well, se la vi'.

Congratulations on writing your first screenplay, Dave Borland! I'm glad you found a group to help you. Keep me posted on your script.

I recently read that you should try to end a scene with some type of action. I've been trying it out on my current script and I think it adds quite a bit to the scene.

Hi, Patrice Dean-Escoto. Ending a scene with action is one of the best ways in my opinion. I think ending a scene with action is more impactful than ending it with dialogue. Sometimes.

They say a great screenplay directs itself. Usually great actors know a good screenplay when they read it, and even if the director has never won an Oscar, the actors can make a great screenplay into a great movie.

I wrote a Marathon movie where part of the funny is the runner runs out the scenes and in at different paces.. then thru the next long shot keeping that pace and into next scene, coming in on that same pace and then stopping or going into the storyline of that scene. So later is like back peddles out.. does long shot still back peddling. . And back into next. That basketball / wastebasket thing is f n cool.

Every scene is like a short film, so we need to apply the three-act structure. The end of each scene should create suspense, making viewers eager to watch the next one. The main concept is that a scene must end with a change compared to the beginning, and if there is no change, it must be coherent and functional for the development of the intrigue.

This is as far as the formal aspect of the narrative structure is concerned. However, in terms of its effect on the viewer's imagination and feelings, the lesson of Méliès's films still applies after two hundred years: a play of appearances and disappearances between one frame and another; a play of similarities between one concept and another ("basket" and "basket," for example).

Thanks, David Ramey Gordon. I like your idea! And it's perfect for a Marathon movie.

Great points, Emanuele Vergari! "The main concept is that a scene must end with a change compared to the beginning, and if there is no change." I think that's one of the most important things about crafting a scene ending. And a scene is stronger if it goes through a range of changes and the characters experience different emotions in my opinion.

Wow, so nice to read such terrific responses. Will keep you all posted as the lady president of this AI

company gets the results of the jury (which I know, of course) and how (a surprise, I think) the judge responds to the verdict. Is she guilty or not guilty......well, you all guess.

Clever indeed! Thanks for sharing. I like to change the mood. A recent scene ending of mine is "A bright moon breaks through the clouds, spreading its light over the dark waters, and in the blink of an eye, the screaming faces disappear. The wind dies, and the boat stabilizes as the waves become gentle again."

That is perfecto. I love the last line "the wind dies, and the boat stabilizes as the waves become gentle again" is terrific. Also "A bright moon...." is also bringing nature into human existence. Terrific!!!

Thanks, Susan Joyce. You're welcome. Changing the mood is a great way to end a scene. And great job on the action lines! It hooked me, and I could picture what's going on easily.

Thanks Dave Borland and Maurice Vaughan for your feedback! Appreciated.

You're welcome, Susan Joyce.

Like it brother - Breaking Bad did that A LOT! And its so cool to transition like to the next scene

Hey, Ray Fine. Thanks. I'll have to rewatch Breaking Bad and look for the transitions. Thanks. And I'm outlining a Breaking Bad type series.

I love this tip, Maurice Vaughan! Sometimes I'll end a scene with a question, and the next scene immediately provides the answer. For instance: A character says, "How bad could it be?" And the next visual? It's pretty bad. :) Everything in moderation, though. If I did this too much, it would draw attention to it, taking the reader/viewer out of the experience.

I like that, Erin Leigh! A cliffhanger that's answered right away. You're right. Everything in moderation. I keep that in mind when I write action lines, dialogue, a running gag, etc.

What a lot of good ideas and observations. Always something to learn here from fellow Stage 32-ers. Best of luck to you all on what sound like quite creative projects.

Hi, Pamela Jaye Smith. Thanks. Best to you with your projects!

A good saying is to "arrive late and leave early" in a scene. I recently re-watched Get Shorty and found it very strange in several scenes when the conversation has ended, but we're watching the characters file out of a room in silence and close the door behind them before cutting to the next scene.

"Arrive late and leave early" is great advice, Ewan Dunbar. I used to arrive early and leave late. Haha I don't write my characters leaving rooms, closing doors, etc. unless it's important to the story.

Thanks for the perfect reason to watch Get Shorty again, Ewan. I've always enjoyed that movie.