Screenwriting : How to write a split scene? by Amanda Murray

Amanda Murray

How to write a split scene?

Hello folks, You know those scenes in movies where two people are talking to each other on the phone from two different locations, but you see them both at the same time on the screen with a line between them dividing the two scenes? I want to do that in my script. A guy talks on the phone to his father and the audience sees them both at the same time. Then when the conversation is over, we just see the guy. I'm not exactly sure how to do this. How do I do this? Thanks! Amanda

Lisa Clemens

I believe that's a call for an editor or director to make. I would keep it as an intercut scene

Amanda Murray

I will be doing the directing for this movie.

Lisa Clemens

It would still be written as intercut. Just have your editor do it as split screen

Amanda Murray

What's inter-cut?

Lisa Clemens
Amanda Murray

Thank you!

Lisa Clemens

My pleasure!

Marvin Willson

Hey guys heres a way to handle intercuts. INT. HOUSE - DAY Eddie dials a number on the PHONE (phone is in capitals because it is a prop) INT. JOEY'S HOUSE - DAY The PHONE is ringing. Joey shuffles in and answers. JOEY HELLO? INTERCUT PHONE CONVERSATION EDDIE AND JOEY (This is formatted as a SHOT) EDDIE Hey Joey. JOEY Eddie! How's it going my man? If it's a SINGLE POINT OF VIEW but we hear both parties. INT. HOUSE - DAY Eddie dials a number on the PHONE. ... (I do this to indicate ringing) EDDIE (In Phone) Hey Joey. JOEY (V.O) (filtered) (This is for Phone voice effect) Eddie! How's it going my man? If it's a SINGLE POINT OF VIEW and we don't hear the other party. INT. HOUSE - DAY Eddie dials a number on the PHONE. ... (I do this to indicate ringing) EDDIE (In phone) Hey Joey... It's going great, except I just walked in and there's a dead hooker in my garage... How long?.. Okay, see you in fifteen and bring a shovel. Eddie hangs up. Hope this helps.

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