Below you will find a sample of 10 Scene Questions from my Scene Checklist.
When you purchase the Checklist you will receive 55 more questions like these:
1. Does the scene move the story foward?
(If it does not then it does
not belong in the script at all! Even flashbacks must move the
story forward)
2. Does the dialogue in the scene erupt out of some emotion the
character is feeling in response to what is happening to him/her?
(The dialogue does not supplement the action, it lashes out at the actions.)
3. Could the scene provide more impact if it was placed elsewhere in
the script?
4. Does the scene make you want to read what happens next?
(If not that
scene needs to be rewritten, deleted, or moved to a better location.)
5. Does the scene have details which in
no way the outcome of
the story?
(Remove these. Ex. The character is wearing a red scarf but it has no MEANING ascribed to it.)
6. Is there any dialogue in the scene that isn't necessary?
(Start late, end early with the dialogue and the action - the
audience can use logic to deduce/figure out what came before and
after - they only want the heart of the scene - what's important to
the characters. They don't need useless entrances, exits, hellos or
goodbyes. End the scene once it has accomplished it's purpose - to
move the story forward.)
7. Could your story exist without this scene?
8. What in your scene have you seen in some movie before?
(Now, make it bigger and better.)
9. Does the character have something to solve/overcome/find out in
this scene?
10. Do we care about what happens to your characters in this scene?
(We have to care!!! If we don't care at all then this scene must be
entirely reworked until we do care or else chuck it!)