how would you write a love scene

[Jamesfox]

hello,i have 2 question

how would you write a love scene. would you write:

SEX. as an action or would you go into details

my 2nd Question is how long did it take to write your first script? because it is about 2.5 months since i started writing this screenplay and i am still on the 62nd page, am i going too slow?

[Rose]

What matters now is that you write a good story. Love scene exposition is written like any other scene. Write the juicy details.

[echo2218]

The answer to the sex scene is dependent on the script/story you're writing. The detail depends on how much information is relevant to the characters/scene.

Read scripts with sex scenes in them and see how the writers did them. Look for scripts where the scenes are as significant as it is in yours (91/2 weeks is probably more detailed than Witness). If your character has some strange fetish that needs to be shown, you need to write it out. If not, you could probably get away "C1 and C2 on bed/table/couch, making love/having sex"


Everyone has a different process for writing, so how long it takes people to write their first script ... the time doesn't matter. I wrote my first draft in 5 days, but if I add in the time it took me to get ready to write that first draft, the prewriting, the reseaching, learning the structure, it was much, much longer. Of course, my first draft completely sucked (at the time, I thought it was the most amazing first script ever written) and I spent about year revising it.

Good luck.

[dpaterso]

If you have to ask how, then maybe sex scenes aren't for you. Is there any way you can avoid them? Show the smiling woman luring the man into her bedroom, he kicks the door shut behind him, we imagine the rest. Jump to their lying in bed side by side, shiny with sweat and gasping for breath. "How was it for you?" "On a scale of one to ten, somewhere around fifteen." Shrug, just an idea. Alternatively, read scripts that have sex scenes, how about BASIC INSTINCT for starters?

Different writers write at different speeds, 2.5 months isn't excessive if you're carefully building up a solid story. I've heard some folks say they've worked on a script for two years, maybe longer. Depends on what real life throws up to delay you. Depends on a lot of things.

But try to remember it's only a first draft and hit those darn keys, get the friggin thing done so you can start making it better. Once you have the finished script in front of you its flaws, if any, will become much more apparent and the solutions more obvious.

-Derek
Derek's Web Page - stories, screenplays, novels, insanity.

[Deus Ex Machine]

Sex scenes, fight scenes, they are all the same. Pick out the details that advance the story and characters while creating the style and tone that is right for the scene and the overall story.

[Cesahr]

I read somewhere that you've got two or so minutes for a normally paced love scene, so take some time with it. I actually, um, took my time, and blocked out most of it in my mind. I wrote, re wrote, like jeesh, 5-6 times at least but pretty much havent "touched" it since I wrote it last fall. I've tinkered with every other scene, but that one I left pretty much alone.

Its your one opportunity to create your ideal situation and have it go exactly as you wish. So, have some fun, do some research and don't be afraid to take a few chances. Try something new...have fun with it.

My love scene is actually the one scene that has been across the board given thumbs up by reviewers and readers...I dirty mind is a terrible thing to waste....SO DONT WASTE IT!! Enjoy and I hope this helps. :b

[nohodolphin]

One of my favorite love scenes is from Bull Durham. They're in the tub, he's painting her toe nails, lots of candles burning around the tub, then we only see the candles burning, gallons of water splashing out of the tub to extinguish them.

I've read and heard from actors that they really hate doing love scenes because it's uncomfortable, granted, done right, very sexy but... if you can manage to show without actually showing the "deed" it can be a lot stronger.

I think it also makes a difference is they're making love, having sex, or fvcking

D

[wcmartell]

http://www.scriptsecrets.net/tips/Tip138.htm

(which is what Deus said)

- Bill

[tabula rasa]

Yeah, I can't say it better than those above already have (and linked to!)

I guess it's worth repeating and repeating though -- whether it's a 'love scene' or a 'sex scene' -- you're dealing with your characters at some deep deep level -- so it better be doing something MAJOR with both your characters and/or your story. Otherwise, you've missed a great opportunity for drama (or comedy).

As for the details of the in and out ... I'd hazard to guess everyone reading your screenplay not only knows the details already ... but also has definite ideas about what's a turn on or a turn off for them, so MAYBE you're gambling if you're too specific (with both the reader's interest, and the actors' attitudes)

What's interesting about a love scene is the set up, yes? Someone said "it's not WHAT THEY DO in bed, it's WHO'S in bed, and WHY."

Just two cents' worth of opinion, and worth every penny!

[TheKeenGuy]

If you are going to show us sex scenes, then they better tell us something about the character(s) that's very important.