Screenwriting : Ending a Scene by Maurice Vaughan

Maurice Vaughan

Ending a Scene

You put a lot of work into writing the opening and middle of your scene, but make sure you didn't forget about the end. The end can make or break a scene. Here are some ways to end a scene:

Action, like a fight

Action that reveals something about a character

Action that reveals something about the plot

Laugh

Cliffhanger

Thought-provoking dialogue

Question

Puzzle

Riddle

Something that links the scene with the next scene, like a character opening a door in one scene and closing a door in the next scene

Scare

Twist

Misdirection

Whatever way you end a scene, it should fit the story you’re telling. And pay attention to scene length. Some scenes need to be short, and some scenes need to be long.

Wal Friman

What happens here at the end? "So as long as Momo is around nothing happens to Chili Palmer. Do you understand? - - Over here."

Maurice Vaughan

Wal Friman It sounds like the character is threatening someone, then calls a different person over to the table/etc.

Wal Friman

Yep, threatens, then points at his back where to massage. Get Shorty. This will sound familiar: -You're lucky the guy didn't kill you. The coat was a Christmas present, for Christ's sake.

Maurice Vaughan

I've heard about Get Shorty, Wal Friman. I saw Be Cool. I probably should've watched Get Shorty first. Did you see Be Cool?

Wal Friman

Absolutely. Great stuff, but Get Shorty truly works. The second, only almost.

Maurice Vaughan

I'll have to check out Get Shorty, Wal Friman. Maybe a double feature with Be Cool.

Wal Friman

Watch out so you don't say "Try to be cool, Yahoo" to too many people afterwards. And Gene Hackman, just wow.

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