Cinematographic Description Example

In a audiovisual script, the cinematic description is the description that is made in each of the scenes of scenarios and actions, that is, of what will happen to the characters in the story that is being told to us.

The movie scripts are a guide for the production of a fiction short or feature film. These scripts are structured into scenes; each scene corresponds to a temporal and spatial unit. If the characters move to another place or the moment being narrated changes, a new scene is created.

Usually each scene is marked with a number that identifies the scene and specifies whether the scene is performed indoors or outdoors (INT. or EXT.) as well as where the scene occurs and whether it is day or night. For example:

1. INT. HOUSE / LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
2. EXT. HOSPITAL / EMERGENCY ENTRY - DAY

In this way, in an audiovisual script the cinematic description, what is described within each scene is what you expect to see on the screen. After a new scene appears, we will immediately have a cinematic description of what will happen during the scene.

Take, for example, the following scene (descriptions are underlined):

1. INT. HOSPITAL / EMERGENCY ROOM - NIGHT

The emergency room is packed with doctors, nurses, and residents. All beds are ready and clear. The residents show nervousness on their faces; some rub their hands or involuntarily move their legs and hands. Everyone looks expectantly toward the door to the ER entrance. At the bottom of the glass you can see the lights of the ambulances arriving. DOCTOR PATRIK (Robusto, 39 years old, brown) stands in front of everyone.

DOCTOR PATRIK

They have to be ready and act fast!

All the wounded are about to enter!

As we can see in the previous example, the description of the scene tells us what the place in which the action takes place (the emergency room), who they are in that place (the characters: doctors, nurses, residents) and what is going to happen (they prepare for the arrival of the sick from an accident).

Characteristics of cinematographic descriptions

Cinematic descriptions, unlike other descriptions such as literary ones, have characteristics specific since its function is to make an auditory and visual description of what will happen in a production cinematographic.

Some main characteristics of how these descriptions should be are:

• Descriptions should be concise, objective and detailed, without lending itself to interpretation.
• The cinematographic description must contain a spatial description of the place where the scene takes place and description of what happens in that scene (actions).
• Descriptions should only be about visual and auditory elements.
• They must be objective, without elements of subjectivity or psychology of people. If you want to show the emotions and feelings of the characters must be narrated from actions or sounds (visual or auditory elements).

10 Examples of Cinematic Descriptions

20 different scenes in which cinematographic descriptions are made are given as an example. Each description is underlined in each of the examples:

1. Cinematic description in the film The Pan's Labyrinth from Guillermo del Toro:

26. INT. VIDAL OFFICE - NIGHT

The makeshift office is in one of the grinding areas. In the background you can see the huge stone wheels and the rickety system of locks that controlled the flow of the river.

VOICE OFELIA

Because in men it weighs sometimes

more fear of pain than

promise of immortality….

Using a jeweler's lens. Vidal oils and assembles his pocket watch while he listens to a couplé on a phonograph.

The pieces of a delicate gear shine like metallic stars on a small patch of black velvet.

The Doctor knocks on the door. Vidal tells him to come in, and he pours himself a brandy.

VIDAL

How does she find it?

DOCTOR

Very weak... Exhausted ...

VIDAL

I understand... Rest what it takes.

She points to a small bunk.

VIDAL

(wink)

I'll sleep down here ...

He starts the machinery. The gear comes to life and begins to rotate rhythmically like the sound of a heart.

She closes the clock, turns it: we see the starry dial. He caresses her.

VIDAL

And my son?

1. Cinematic description of a scene in which a character walks into a cafeteria to order something while he is waiting for someone else.

31. INT. CAFETERIA - DAY

The cafeteria is almost empty: there are only two tables occupied by seniors who play chess. The clock perched on the bar where menus, desserts and drinks are displayed marks five in the afternoon. Behind the bar, a waitress (30 years old, blonde) types on her cell phone and smiles.

RAMIRO (20 years old, light complexion, bulging eyes) nervously enters the cafeteria and occupies a table in the back, away from the already occupied tables. The waitress hears him come in and takes, almost mechanically, a menu from the box where they are kept and walks over to his table. She is still distracted looking at the cell phone.

WAITRESS

Good afternoon, young man. Can I get you something to eat?

RAMIRO

Do you have beer?

The waitress looks up from her cell phone.

WAITRESS

Light and dark

RAMIRO

A dark

WAITRESS

Something to eat?

RAMIRO

No... I'm waiting for someone.

The waitress leaves. Ramiro takes his cell phone and types a number. His fingers are sweating and his hands are shaking. She closes her eyes when she hears someone pick up the phone on the other end of the line.

RAMIRO

Now everything is ready…

1. Cinematic description of a scene in which a doctor breaks the news to a patient that he has terminal cancer.

2. INT. OFFICE / DAY

The office has pristine white walls. There is a mahogany desk, and a bookcase with medical books and some classic art and painting. DOCTOR AURELIO (60 years old, completely white hair, thin), behind his desk, reviews some documents and makes some notes in a notebook. He looks at his wristwatch: four o'clock in the afternoon. The phone on his desk begins to ring. The doctor presses a button. A female voice answers on the other end of the line.

SWITCHING VOICE

Doctor, his patient Noe is already here.

DR. AURELIO

Make it happen

A few seconds later NOE enters (40 years old, office clothes: jacket and tie, closed beard). Her face denotes tiredness and illness: pale complexion, dark circles. He moves wearily. He takes a seat and quickly inspects everything around him: he looks at the diplomas, the shelf, the doctor, and finally the documents that the doctor is holding in his hands.

NOE

Tell me doctor... How bad is it?

The doctor clears his throat, uneasy, and begins to rummage through some papers. She talks with her gaze on the desk, not looking at her patient.

DR. AURELIO

Sadly, it is cancer.

We have detected it at a late stage

and a metastasis has occurred ...

The doctor looks directly at Noe. There is no apparent reaction on Noe's face.

DR. AURELIO

We can immediately start a treatment ...

And see how you react after a first therapy.

She is not moving, staring at her desk. Suddenly, she gets up from the seat.

NOE

I need to take a breath

NOE leaves the office before the doctor can say anything.

1. Cinematic description of a scene in which a young woman is reunited with her pet that she had lost a year ago.

13. EXT. BACK YARD / ANIMAL SHELTER - DAY

In the backyard of the shelter there are several animal cages, a spacious garden and some wooden benches. NENA (16 years old, tall, thin) sits on one of the benches. She is holding a small stuffed animal (a Dalmatian) in her hands. She squeezes the teddy nervously. She moves her legs quickly.

LU (17 years old, hippie outfit, curly hair) sits next to her. She places a hand on her leg so that it stops moving. She takes a deep breath and her eyes look glassy, ​​as if she is about to cry.

LU

Easy, baby. You will see that it is black

CHICK

I'm so nervous… What if it's not?

LU

In the photos it was the same... The same.

CHICK

What if he doesn't recognize me?

LU

Dumb! You haven't seen those dog videos

who are reunited with their owners ...

CHICK

But it's been a year

LU

Y? Dogs are smart.

From a door at the end of the patio, a CAREGIVER (woman, 20 years old, jeans and black shirt) comes out. He has a huge adult Dalmatian on the leash. The dog walks beside her calmly without pulling on the leash.

NENA gets up from the bench, crosses her arms over her chest, and places a hand over her mouth. She makes a move to move forward. LU of her also gets up and takes her arm.

LU

He waits for them to bring her

The caretaker arrives with the dog. The NENA bends down and begins to speak affectionately to the dog so that it approaches her. She starts crying. The dog sniffs her and for a few seconds he doesn't seem to recognize her. Suddenly, the dog goes crazy: he wags her tail, jumps on Baby, licks her. La Nena lies down on the floor and begins to hug the dog in a frantic way.

LU

I told you, babe!

1. Cinematic description of a scene in which a neighbor knocks on her neighbor's door to ask for their help.

23. INT. APARTMENT BUILDING / CORRIDOR - NIGHT

It is early morning and the apartment building is silent. The corridor is deserted; all the doors are closed.

The anguished SCREAM of a woman breaks the silence. In a few minutes one of the doors opens. CASSANDRA (35 years old, robust build, nightgown) comes out. She wears bloody clothes; she is pale and widens her eyes. She walks to her neighbor's door and desperately knocks on the door; she doesn't stop playing until she opens BEATRIZ (40 years old, thin), Seeing CASSANDRA's state she covers her mouth with one hand.

BEATRIZ

Darling, what happened !?

 CASSANDRA

It's Claudio! I think he's dead!

Help me! Tell your husband to help me!

Beatriz quickly enters the house. A few minutes later LEONARDO (45 years old, tall, thin) comes out. She carries a medical bag in her hands.

LEONARDO

Let's go home!

What happened?

CASSANDRA

I found it in the bathroom... full of blood

Cassandra begins to cry hysterically. The three enter Cassandra's apartment.

1. Cinematic description of a scene that occurs in the schoolyard during a sports class.

11. EXT. SCHOOL / SPORTS YARD - DAY

Two basketball courts are spread out in the courtyard on an esplanade with a tin roof. Inside, a TEACHER (30 years old, sportswear, slim) instructs the CHILDREN (approximately 10 years old, sportswear: pants and polo shirt) to play a ball game.

TEACHER

They are going to form four teams!

Of five each and we will

do a ball tournament.

The children start to make a fuss; they yell at each other to find out how the teams will form.

TEACHER

Be quiet! I will make the teams

The children complain but are silent.

TEACHER

Let's see, you, you, you, you and you are team 1!

You five are team 2!

You two and you three are team 3!

Those who remain are team 4!

The children settle into their groups. Shortly after, the DIRECTOR (50 years old, sober appearance) enters.

DIRECTOR

Professor, can you come over for a moment?

It is urgent

TEACHER

Sure, graduate.

 Kids! I have to go out for a few minutes.

 José, you stay in charge

and whoever makes a mess will have less points!

The teacher and the director go out. The children wait for them to leave. Once they are completely away, they start to scatter and scream. JOSÉ (short boy, shy looking) stands in the middle of the mess. She opens her mouth as if to say something, but then closes it and stands aside, away from the other children.

1. Cinematic description of a scene in which a police officer captures a fugitive inside an abandoned factory
2. INT. FACTORY - NIGHT

Inside the factory, there are various machines and gadgets lying on the floor. Trash and dust accumulate due to the abandonment of the place. A POLICE OFFICER (middle-aged, close-cropped, thin) inspects the place with a gun and a flashlight in hand.

Suddenly, he hears some noises behind overturned work tables. He walks over, careful not to step on anything on the ground that makes too much noise. He stands in front of the table and points in that direction.

POLICEMAN

The reinforcements are coming and they are going to corner the building!

Get out of there or I'll shoot!

From behind, someone is heard running. The policeman turns and realizes that the THIEF (a man in his thirties) is walking away quickly. The Policeman runs after him dodging the objects. He shoots at the thief's feet and he, scared, trips over something. The policeman catches up with him and throws himself at him; he immobilizes him by putting his knee against his back and places the handcuffs on his back.

POLICEMAN

Now I do have you!

1. Cinematic description of a scene in which two friends talk about their love problems in a bar

14. INT. BAR - NIGHT

A night bar at ten at night. The tables are crowded. In the background, a bar with customers who are alone or in pairs. The BAR TENDER (female of about 25 years) takes the commands and quickly serves the drinks.

On the left side of the bar, there are two women talking: SONIA (blonde, 23 years old, slim) and ANDREA (brunette, 24 years old, normal complexion). The women each drink a glass of beer and take peanuts from a plate arranged on the bar.

Sonia

I'm seriously sick of men!

ANDREA

Tell me!

Andrea gulps down the beer and takes out her cell phone. She types some things on the screen and turns the cell phone towards Sonia

ANDREA

Look what she told me... that I would be late today

"Because of a problem at the office." Again…

Sonia

And you already know who the problem is

of the Office?

Andrea raises her hand to ask the waitress to bring her another glass of beer.

ANDREA

I have a guess ...

I think I know where it will be today

and that's why she wanted to talk to you

Andrea brings her face closer to Sonia's, as if to confide in her. She takes one of her hands.

ANDREA

Sonia, I need you to come with me.

I'm going to confront him today.

Sonia

Sure, friend... Tell me who

We have to kill.

1. Cinematic description of a scene in which a car explosion occurs, and some people are injured.

18. EXT. STREET - DAY

Several businesses are concentrated in Buenavista street since it is a central street in the city. It is morning and only a few passersby pass by on the street. In the middle of the street is the Central Bank, an old building, one of the oldest banks in the city.

A black car with tinted windows and hidden license plates is parked in front of the bank. A hooded man emerges from the car and quickly walks away from the vehicle. We see the man getting lost as he turns the corner.

After a few seconds an EXPLOSION is heard. The black car has exploded. People passing by at that moment scream. Two people lie near the car, with visible wounds on the skin. Both people are still alive.

JULS (female, thirty, casual clothes) leaves one of the nearby businesses, a hairdresser. She takes out her cell phone and types in the emergency number.

JULS

There has been an explosion in front of the central bank!

There are wounded!

If two

Buenavista street!

Juls approaches the wounded. People begin to congregate around him.

1. Cinematic description of a scene in which a girl takes her dog for a walk on the street.

36. EXT. STREET / PARK - DAY

In the park there are families walking, picnicking and people doing exercises. Many take their dogs with them, some on the loose, others on a leash. NADIA (female, forty years old, sportswear) walks through the park with a puppy of about four months, whom she tugs on a leash. The puppy seems nervous, sniffing everything in front of him. Nadia has to constantly pull on the leash to get him to walk. The dog watches other approaching dogs and gets scared. She does not want to advance. Nadia pulls on the leash.

NADIA

Come on Maxi!

The dog pulls back and refuses to move forward. Another dog comes to sniff it, after the dog runs a YOUNG (thirty years old, sporty appearance) and puts the leash on his dog.

YOUNG

Excuse me, my dog ​​is very curious

NADIA

Do not worry. Mine is scared because

it's his first ride

YOUNG

Wow! How old is she?

NADIA

Four

The young man leans a little closer and smiles at Nadia in a flirtatious way.

YOUNG

My name is Marcos, and you?

NADIA

Nadia, nice to meet you.

They both shake hands, the young man steps forward a bit more. He seems to want to start more conversation. Nadia picks up the puppy in her arms and steps back, away from the boy.

NADIA

Good day…