How I Write a Scene
One thing I’ve learned about my writing process is that I don’t always begin with dialogue or even words.
I begin with the scene.
I close my eyes and visualize it like I’m watching a film:
Where are the characters?
What are they doing?
What do they see?
What changes during the scene?
What should the audience feel?
Then I take that visual moment and translate it into the screenplay.
For ZAMORA: SONS OF THE BLACK BUFFALO, this process helps me build not only the action, but also the world, the characters, the atmosphere, and the emotional weight behind each moment.
For me, writing a screenplay is about turning what I can see in my mind into something the audience can eventually see on screen.
How do you approach writing a scene? Do you hear it first, see it first, or start with the words?
#Screenwriting #WritingProcess #Screenwriter #Filmmaking #Fantasy #Zamora #AfricanCinema
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Hi, @Tomás. I figure out the scene in the outline. And visualizing scenes helps me write them, rewrite them, and find scene problems.
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Knowing the purpose of that scene is also very important. since esch scene must have a purpose, knowing what need to happen is a good start to envision your scene and create the right beat and pacing.
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Tomas, I like to work out a scene when I'm outlining. (Before I write the actual script, I come up with an "outline/scene list..." so that I can know exactly where a scene is set.)
If any lines of dialog come to mind when I'm outlining, I'll put them right in the list.
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Maurice Vaughan Thank you, Maurice! That’s exactly how I like to develop my stories as well — I first visualize the scene in my mind as if I’m watching the film, and then I translate that vision into writing. I think visualizing the scenes really helps identify what works and also uncover problems before moving forward. It’s great to know that you work in a similar way!
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Nicolas Lavoie Absolutely. I agree that every scene needs a clear purpose. When I visualize a scene, I also try to understand what needs to happen emotionally and narratively before moving forward. Knowing the purpose helps me find the right beats, pacing, and direction for the scene. I think the combination of visualization and purpose makes the writing much stronger.
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Jim Boston I really like that approach. I also find it helpful to work out the scenes before writing the full script. Having the scene list gives me a clear roadmap of where the story is going, and when dialogue or a specific moment comes to mind, I like to capture it immediately before I lose it. It makes the transition from the outline to the actual screenplay much smoother.
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Tomas, I like how you think! Great post you've come up with!
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You're welcome, Tomás Daniel. I also visualize the trailer. It helps me think of scenes and ideas for the script.
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Maurice Vaughan That’s really interesting! I do something similar. Sometimes I visualize not only individual scenes, but also how the trailer would feel — the key moments, images, and transitions. It can actually reveal new scenes and ideas that I wouldn’t have thought of otherwise. I think visualization is a powerful way to discover the story before putting everything on the page.
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Jim Boston Thank you! I really appreciate that. I’m glad you connected with the way I approach storytelling. I’m always trying to find new ways to visualize and develop my ideas before bringing them to the page. I really appreciate your perspective as well!