Various locations
Can you tell me what is preferred/correct for this situation? Mabel is moving through a house (and, if necessary, outside):
INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY
Mabel searches for the cat.
INT. KITCHEN - DAY
Mabel searches for the cat.
EXT. STREET - DAY
Mabel searches for the cat.
Et cetera. Thanks very much.
–Arnold Sable
Yeah, that pretty much sucks, Arnold. Unless you are repeating the sentence for some effect, perhaps showing how intensely single-minded Mabel can be, almost anything else would be better.
The simplest choice would be to use a different scene heading that encompasses all needed locations, such as:
INT. HOUSE - VARIOUS ROOMS - DAY
Or, if you do want to show each location, try varying your descriptions of Mabel’s search so that they don’t repeat.
Finally, you could consider using a montage format:
MONTAGE as Mabel searches for the cat:
— She pulls open the dryer in the laundry room.
— Checks the kitchen cupboards.
— Searches under the porch with a flashlight.
— Pokes the broom under the sofa.
— Rechecks the kitchen cupboards again.
What format you choose really depends on the situation, and how much information you need the reader to know.
