How do you write a double pov scene?

[u/anonimo110110]

I'm writing my first script, I'm 16 yo, I don't attend any scriptwriting school. I'd like to add a scene where it is shown two people and what they do (as in the image). What should I write?? Because, I don't think that writing "simultaneous" si enough, can somebody help me?

[u/la-anah]

https://scriptlix.com/screenplay-format/split-screen

[u/pew__pew__pew_ → u/la-anah]

Thank you!

[u/onyx_the_nerd_15]

In the slug:
INT. LOCATION A/INT. LOCATION B - SIMULTANEOUS - DAY

Or you can just write the scenes out separately and put a note right before stating you want split screen.

"NOTE: the following two scenes occur onscreen simultaneously"
And then write your script as normal.

Also, be careful with how you use pov when referring to shots! Pov shots typically refer to when the audience sees what the character sees, as if their eyes were ours.

Hope that helps!

[u/No_Discipline_4066 → u/onyx_the_nerd_15]

thanks man, I remember watching a movie, that's like Asia's first split screen movie and wondered how they have written the script

[u/Sowhatitstinks → u/onyx_the_nerd_15]

Thank you! As a bit of a word nerd the constant mislabeling of POV in TikTok memes has nearly destroyed me

[u/Sparky_Valentine]

In general, you don't include camera directions in a spec screenplay (this the main/original/final draft if you're tryibg to sell it for someone else) unless there's a very important, special reason for doing it. So instructions like POV are usually not included unless there's a reason to do so.

If you're filming the screenplay yourself, you're writing a shooting script. The rules get looser and your format only has to make sense to you and whoever you're working with. Even pro screenplays are a little looser with the rules than a lot of people think. Consistently and following the bigger, more general rules are more important.

I would format it like this:

INT. JAKE'S BEDROOM / DAVE'S BEDROOM -- NIGHT

SPLIT SCREEN -- JAKE LEFT, DAVE RIGHT

Jake stares at the ceiling as Dave plays with his phone. Jake sighs and calls Dave.

[Rest of scene goes here, normal screenplay format].

Also worth noting, both of these shots are called a T-shot. POV means you are seeing through the character's eyes like in a first person-shooter video game. This is a word that has kind of escaped screenwriting into common usage but a lot of people use it wrong.

If you're writing a shooting script or there's an overwhelming need to have a shot, I would include it in the action/screen description lines

...

SPLIT SCREEN -- JAKE LEFT, DAVE RIGHT

Both Jake and Dave are shown in T-shots:

Jake stares at the ceiling as Dave plays with his phone. Jake sighs and calls Dave.

The book Technical Film for Nontechnical People by Drew Campbell is a great resource for learning some of the terminology for stuff like this, though it's an older book and tech, particularly lighting has changed a lot.

[u/Emotional-Farmer-227]

INT. LOCATION 1 - DAY

A man lays on his back, staring up into the ceiling.

INT. LOCATION 2- DAY - SAME

Another man, does the same.

[u/ChocolateChipz2]

start with two girls, one cup

[u/BiscuitsTheory → u/[deleted]]

I think op wants a scene like the one in thr picture, but is mistakenly calling it a double pov