Is it possible? A scene starts with a News Anchor reading the news in the Studios and the continuing narrative is seen by the audience. Possible? Can you use Fade Out and Fade In? Do you use CUT TO?
Screenwriting : SAME SCENE FROM TWO DIFFERENT POVs by Charles V Abela
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Neither, IMO, Charles V Abela. If I understand your query, I have that same scenario in a script handled like this: SLUG LINE (in TV studio) followed by action and anchor's dialogue. New scene: SLUGLINE (on a beach) followed by action and continuing the anchor's dialogue as a (VO).
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Matthew Kelcourse That is exactly what I had in mind. However, since The TV transmission effectively puts the presence of the News Anchor in the room with the family, I did not use a (VO). That is how I interpreted the requirements at the time. This is an extract:
SARAH
I haven’t heard from dad. He was worried, I am sort of prepared.
They face the TV. A grim-face NEWS ANCHOR.
NEWS ANCHOR
... a Cartel war seems to have erupted. Two bodies were found shot dead in a country area, by the red shed on your screen...
(shuffles his papers)
also, we’re getting news of what looks like another Cartel execution. A lorry with the markings of Rhodes Logistics Transport has been hijacked, its tires blown...
TV signal intrusion.
Any further ideas?
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I might write it like this, Charles V Abela:
INT. NEWS STUDIO - DAY
Action line
NEWS ANCHOR
Dialogue...
INT. ELECTRONICS STORE - DAY
Terrified customers watch the news report on a large wall of TVs.
NEWS ANCHOR
...Dialogue
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If the news anchor is a character in the movie, with a story all his own (objectives and obstacles) you could do what Maurice suggests.
If he’s just there to deliver exposition, don’t cut to the INT TV STUDIO, however.
Just establish that the TV News is on, then give a slug line. Use a slug line to return to the room.
INT. BOB’S HOUSE - DAY
Bob changes the TV channel.
ON TELEVISION
NEWS ANCHOR
…Horrifying events today as an asteroid hits the capital…
ON BOB
Bob is shocked.
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INTERCUT can work as well.
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Pull out fade/mix sure it can be done with a little green screen and some forced perspective.
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I agree with all here - there are many ways to manage the situation and if you're sure every scene advances the story, you're consistent, and you avoid slowing the pace by "directing" the story (Fade, cut to, close on, etc...), I think you'll be fine :-)
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Plenty ... you can intercut. You can do a hard cut over and do the same voiceover from the news anchor, showing us a detail the news anchor doesn't know.
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I would just use a scene heading.You really don't need to tell a director how to go to the next scene.
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I agree if you are going back and forth between two scenes you could use intercut if you wanted to. However if it is a spec you can do whatever you want to do.