AgentSkillsCN

scene-analysis

此技能提供剧本的逐场分析技巧。 涵盖场景解剖、节拍分解、节奏评估和核心问题“有什么变化？”以识别不必要的或薄弱的场景。 当：分析场景有效性、评估场景节奏、识别场景问题或分解场景节拍时使用。

SKILL.md
--- frontmatter
name: scene-analysis
wtfbId: wtfb:scene-analysis
description: |
  This skill provides scene-by-scene analysis techniques for screenplays.
  Covers scene anatomy, beat breakdown, pacing evaluation, and the core
  question "what changes?" to identify unnecessary or weak scenes.

  Use when: analyzing scene effectiveness, evaluating scene pacing,
  identifying scene problems, or breaking down scene beats.

Scene Analysis Skill

Invocation Triggers

Apply this skill when:

  • •Analyzing scene effectiveness
  • •Evaluating scene pacing
  • •Identifying scene problems
  • •Breaking down scene beats

Scene Fundamentals

What Makes a Scene?

A scene is a unit of story with:

  • •Single location (or continuous movement)
  • •Continuous time (or clearly marked passage)
  • •Beginning, middle, end
  • •Purpose in the larger story

The Scene Question

Every scene should answer: "What changes?"

If nothing changes, the scene may not be necessary.

Scene Anatomy

Scene Structure

code
HOOK      → Grabs attention, establishes context
BUILD     → Develops conflict/tension
TURN      → Something changes
RESOLUTION → Scene's immediate outcome
PROPULSION → Sets up what's next

Example Analysis

fountain
INT. RESTAURANT - NIGHT

HOOK: Sarah sits waiting. Checks her watch. John arrives, late.

BUILD: Awkward pleasantries. Sarah's cool. John tries to connect.

TURN: Sarah reveals she knows about the affair.

RESOLUTION: John admits it. Offers no excuse.

PROPULSION: Sarah says "I want a divorce" - cut before John responds.

Scene Purpose

Plot Functions

FunctionDescription
SetupEstablish information for later
ConfrontationCharacters in conflict
RevelationNew information emerges
DecisionCharacter makes choice
ActionPhysical events unfold
ConsequenceResults of previous actions

Character Functions

FunctionDescription
IntroductionMeet a character
DevelopmentDeepen understanding
Arc momentCharacter changes
RelationshipDefine/change relationship

Every Scene Must

  1. •Serve at least ONE plot function
  2. •Serve at least ONE character function
  3. •Ideally serve BOTH simultaneously

Pacing Analysis

Scene Length Guidelines

TypePagesPurpose
Short (1/2-1 page)Quick information, transitions
Medium (2-3 pages)Standard dialogue scenes
Long (4-5 pages)Major confrontations, setpieces
Extended (5+ pages)Climactic moments only

Pacing Rhythm

Vary scene lengths for rhythm:

code
SHORT - MEDIUM - MEDIUM - SHORT - LONG - SHORT

Not:

code
MEDIUM - MEDIUM - MEDIUM - MEDIUM - MEDIUM

Scene Economy

  • •Enter late: Skip arrivals, greetings
  • •Leave early: Cut after the point is made
  • •Cut the fat: Every line earns its place

Scene Beats

What is a Beat?

A shift in the scene - emotion, power, information.

Identifying Beats

Mark where something changes:

code
1. Sarah waits (anticipation)
   [BEAT: John arrives late]
2. Awkward greeting (tension)
   [BEAT: Sarah asks direct question]
3. John deflects (avoidance)
   [BEAT: Sarah reveals she knows]
4. John exposed (power shift)
   [BEAT: John admits truth]
5. Resolution (new status quo)

Beat Mapping

markdown
| Beat # | What Happens | Emotional Shift |
|--------|--------------|-----------------|
| 1 | Sarah waits | Hope → Doubt |
| 2 | John arrives | Doubt → Tension |
| 3 | Small talk | Tension → Impatience |
| 4 | Sarah confronts | Impatience → Anger |
| 5 | John admits | Anger → Devastation |

Scene Analysis Template

markdown
## Scene Analysis: [Scene Description]

### Location & Time
INT./EXT. [LOCATION] - [TIME]
Page [X] - [Y] ([Z] pages)

### Scene Purpose
- **Plot Function:** [setup/confrontation/revelation/etc.]
- **Character Function:** [introduction/development/arc/etc.]
- **What changes:** [state A → state B]

### Structure
- **Hook:** [description]
- **Build:** [description]
- **Turn:** [description]
- **Resolution:** [description]
- **Propulsion:** [description]

### Beat Breakdown
[Beat mapping table]

### Strengths
- [What works]

### Issues
- [What doesn't work]

### Recommendations
1. [Specific improvement]
2. [Specific improvement]

Common Scene Problems

No Conflict

Problem: Characters agree, nothing is at stake. Fix: Give characters opposing goals. Even allies disagree on methods.

No Change

Problem: Scene ends same as it started. Fix: Something must be different. Information, relationship, stakes.

Wrong Length

Problem: Scene overstays welcome or rushes through. Fix: Match length to importance. Trim fat or expand key moments.

Unclear Purpose

Problem: Scene exists but why? Fix: Define the scene's job. If it has none, cut it.

Predictable

Problem: Scene goes exactly as expected. Fix: Add reversals, surprises, complications.

Scene Types Analysis

Exposition Scene

  • •Risk: Information dump
  • •Goal: Information + conflict
  • •Test: Would scene be interesting without info?

Action Scene

  • •Risk: All spectacle, no stakes
  • •Goal: Character revealed through action
  • •Test: What does action tell us about character?

Dialogue Scene

  • •Risk: Talking heads
  • •Goal: Subtext, conflict, change
  • •Test: Is there tension in the conversation?

Transition Scene

  • •Risk: Unnecessary
  • •Goal: Essential bridge only
  • •Test: Can it be cut? Can info be combined elsewhere?

Scene Checklist

Before Writing

  • • What is the scene's purpose?
  • • What changes by the end?
  • • What's the conflict?
  • • When does the scene start/end?

After Writing

  • • Does the scene have a clear hook?
  • • Does tension build?
  • • Is there a turn?
  • • Does it propel to next scene?
  • • Can it be shorter?
  • • Is it the right length for its importance?