Format Question - Character's POV

[Outback ms]

Okay, I have a wizard. He casts a spell that allows him to view surrounding energy patterns that are normally invisible. The spell only affects what he sees. I'm not sure how to format the scenes when this spell is used.

Something like:

---------
The Look spell is CAST.

POV - WIZARD

Streams of brilliant color flow around and through all objects, all people. It's a mesmerizing sight.

WIZARD
Golly.

---------

If this is good, then how do I return to "normal sight?"

Thanks,

Outback

[Zeeman13]

There are a couple of ways I think you could do it.

How about:

INT. CAVE
The Wizard casts the spell.

WIZARD'S POV: Only the Wizard can see a rainbow of freaky colors emanating through each living thing as if he popped a tab of acid at the Dead concert. It allows him to have X-Ray vision.

BACK TO SCENE:

Elf Boy
What the hell are you staring at, Wiz?

Wizard
You're wearing a green thong.

[lilybet]

Z's looks good but why even say Wizard's POV? We know that when you say "Only the Wizard sees ..." You're saying the same thing twice. I happen to think the second description is more interesting than POV.

I try not to use POV at all but look for descriptive ways to show what the character sees rather than break the story with unnecessary technical terms.

lilybet

[Steve]

Normally I agree with everything you say, Lilybet, but I'd use WIZARD'S POV then BACK TO SCENE. It makes it absolutely clear to the reader what's going on.

[jetty]

I would lean toward using the term POV, especially if this sort of thing is going to happen throughout the story and if things are going to "happen" during this spell from his point of view. You don't want the reader having to ask, is he in that weird spell thing from his POV? That's why I'd write it similar to what Zee said. I'd indicate when it ends with:

END POV WIZARD. Or END POV WIZARD - RETURN TO SCENE

I think the reader likes things well marked along the way... when it affects their understanding of what is going on.

jetty

[GirlinGray]

You don't have to say POV to be clear. You just write the different perspective.

THE WIZARD looks at Oz. Oz is glowing brighter than Saturn.

ELFBOY watches the Wiz recoil. Everything looks normal to him.

That's not great shakes writing, but you get the idea? It reads better than "Wizard's POV."

[steeves]

if you do not 'need' to direct, then don't

what gig wrote works much better, imo

[Outback ms]

This POV issue came up as I'm reworking a script. I initially used something like this:

----------------------------------
EXT. ROADWAY - DAY

The Wizard CASTS the spell.

With his enchanted sight, the Wizard views ribbons of intense magical energy SWIRLING about the creature.

The Warrior DUCKS beneath the WHIPPING tail. She spots the Wizard sitting calmly across the road.

WARRIOR
What is he doing? What
doesn't he fight?

--------------------------------

When the Wizard is finished, he cancels the spell and sees normally. This sounds clear to me, but I'm searching for a new agent, and I don't a possibly clear formatting error to provide any negativity.

Thanks for the input.

Outback

[RatWriter]

I vote for Z's example without the "BACK TO SCENE:" statement. I view the POV as an action directive within the paragraph. Multiple action statements within a scene are typically separate paragraghs. I include a POV on a paragraph to paragraph basis.

-------------------------------------------------
INT. CASTLE NIGHT

WIZARD POV: The room has a red glow as the wizard searches for his wand.

John enter the room and trips over the wand

WIZARD POV: The room spins until John is in the center of the wizard's view. The wizard's hand can be seen reaching for the wand.

JOHN
Not this time scum bag

WIZARD
Does this mean we're
not friends?

etc.
----------------------------------------------------