INT or EXT Underwater?

[Dragonslayer02]

Since the scene is underwater, would it be Interior (within the water or ocean) or Exterior (since it's an outside environment)?

DS

[Dragonslayer02]

I think INT would make more sense because it's an issue of lighting.

But I welcome all opinions.

DS

[Gaijin Samurai]

just go with

UNDERWATER

The car sinks.

ON THE SURFACE OF THE WATER

An exposion of bubbles rises to the top.

[MrGazzo]

I love these questions because people actually feel there is a right answer. Just make sure the reader knows what you mean. INT, EXT, or UNDERWATER in Caps, reall doesn't make a difference. What do you prefer?

[Gaijin Samurai]

he prefers to have his question answered without a superior sounding wisecrack from a guy who once argued how it could've been INT. STADIUM FIELD because it might be an indoor stadium.

[MrGazzo]

The answer is that there is no answer. If he writes a great script, no producer would ever say, "Hey, it's great and all, but did you see how he put INT. UNDERWATER? We'll have to pass."

It wasn't a wise crack. I was telling him the truth. He should write it how he feels most comfortable with it, not how you would write it.

And you're taking the INT. STADIUM thing out of context and doesn't warrant a comment.

[Dragonslayer02]

Gazzo,

I can make up my own mind. I asked, not out of dire need, but because I was curious what the opinions were. You do understand curiosity, don't you?

SM,

Thanks. That is my exact sentiment.

[Gaijin Samurai]

what part about his welcoming all opinions did you not understand?

someone asks for an opinion or a few working examples, that's what they want. not the hollow wisdom of non-answers. and "i love it when people ask these questions" is a snide comment. surprised a writer wouldn't understand subtext.

[Gaijin Samurai]

ds,

no sweat. sorry, posted around the same time you must have started, and didn't see your earlier thanks.

btw, the example i gave you, i've seen in a produced script. i think it was "the game", which was very cleanly written and well executed.

[MrGazzo]

He wanted an opinion, and that's why I gave mine. IMO, there is no answer to that question. It's up to the writer. As long as the sene works it doesn't matter. The comment, "I love it when people ask these questions" means, whether you've been writing for one month or one decade, some questions have no decisive answers. If you ask the top ten writers in hollywood that same question, you might get ten different answers on how to write the scene.

And dragon, if you were real curious, you would research it and not ask. I can think of a million movies that at least a few scenes took place underwater.

[Gaijin Samurai]

well crap, i guess the only questions that should ever be asked here are ones that can't be answered through "research", which apparently to you, does not include asking others who might know.

re·search (r-sûrch, rsûrch)
n.
Scholarly or scientific investigation or inquiry

i believe what he made, was an "inquiry", which apparently falls under the correct definition of research.

[Dragonslayer02]

Thanks, SM. I'll check out "The Game" and see how it looks and works.

Come to think of it, I'll check out "The Abyss" while I'm looking.

Again, thanks.

[Gaijin Samurai]

hell do jaws, too.

[MrGazzo]

hahahahahahahaha
hahahahahahahaha
hahahahahahahaha
hahahahahahahaha

Some of you provide so much humor for me. I guess sometimes writing can be an ego thing.

Dragon, don't listen to a word I said. If asking Samurai how he would handle and underwater scene, and who knows if he's even written a scene underwater, is the same as looking for a produced script that has handled the situation is considered research, then I ought to question what I'm doing and what I want for myself.

Just do what ever Samurai tells you, you're script is sure to be a hit.

[sparkenstein]

Dragon
Great question! I prefer to see it the way SM described:
UNDERWATER
The car sinks.
ON THE SURFACE OF THE WATER

BUT if I was sending something out with such a scene, and especially if I was cutting from an interior scene, I would go with:
EXT RIVER (or other body of water)
Set up a master scene then:
UNDERWATER
The car sinks.
ON THE SURFACE OF THE WATER

BTW MrGazzo - I'm not trying to instigate anything but your "I love these questions because people actually feel there is a right answer." sounds pretentious. Dragon was looking for opinions, (obvious by the statement "I welcome all opinions.") not a concrete right answer as you implied.