Tips on writing a destruction scene.

[applash]

I am working on a disaster film that focuses on the point of view from a single person in his house. Basically the climax or disaster if you will happens and i want Windows to break maybe some things to break through walls. I'm just wondering how i would write in these elements in. I'm used to writing stories focused strongly on dialog i have strayed from films relying on action for the longest time and i want to break out of it. Does anyone have any tips or examples that could help me write this scene.

 

[vcassel]

Short terse paragraphs (just simple sentences as paragraphs--they don't have to be complete sentences) with lots of white space to fasten the pace.

"The roaring howl of wind and debris slamming into the outside of the house.

CRASH!

The windows blow out as JACK and JILL duck out of the way and shield their faces from the flying glass.

JACK
(yelling over the noise)
Look out!"

Buy, y'know, more and not hackneyed like my example.

 

[polfilmblog]

"...focuses on the point of view from a single person in his house."
​

I guess it depends if you're being literal. Is the camera supposed to be the character, or do we see the character? In Black Swan a lot of shots seem like POV shots, as they follow right behind Nina's head and shoulders. But those aren't technically POV shots.

When Michael Myers puts on a mask and we see through the holes as he kills his sister, that's a POV shot.

It may come down to the director's choice in the end anyway. Are you directing it?

 

[Dark Emergence]

A few tips: Showing how someone reacts is stronger than telling us he's scared. Use sensory words, like the way vcassel used crash in the example below. I wouldn't write a single paragraph longer three lines. It gives the scene a faster pace.

 

[dougspice]

My recommendation: read some great examples and then decide what inspires you.

Twister would be the obvious choice here, probably. I've never read the script, though, so who knows?

My personal recommendation for this one is Children of Men, or almost any of Tony Gilroy's scripts. Aliens. Most of these can be pretty easily found online.

 

[geckopelli]

Short terse paragraphs (just simple sentences as paragraphs--they don't have to be complete sentences) with lots of white space to fasten the pace.

"The roaring howl of wind and debris slamming into the outside of the house.

CRASH!

The windows blow out as JACK and JILL duck out of the way and shield their faces from the flying glass.

JACK
(yelling over the noise)
Look out!"

Buy, y'know, more and not hackneyed like my example.

What he said-- except "quicken" the pace, don't "fasten" it to anything! (sorry! can't resist bad jokes!)

And I would capitalize ROARING HOWL.