Is It possible to stop a background loop?

Creator's Corner Directing Help & Tips
1

Hi, In my story, I have my characters running, but at one point I want them to stop and have a conversation. Would anyone know how to code this?

2

Most looping backgrounds have a matching normal background.

For example if you’re using the EXT. DESERT LOOP - NIGHT background, your script could look like:

EXT. DESERT LOOP - NIGHT
@cut to zone 1
@CHARACTER1 stands screen left in zone 1 AND CHARACTER 2 stands screen right in zone 1
@CHARACTER 1 faces right AND CHARACTER2 faces right
@CHARACTER1 starts run_atheletic AND CHARACTER2 starts run_atheletic
@zoom on 0 0 to 100%

If you want them to stop running and start a conversation, you should look for the matching non-looping bg, which in my example would be EXT. DESERT HIGHWAY NO LOOP - NIGHT (notice the word “no loop”, which indicates it’s a non-looping background)

Then you should add the non-looping bg to your script:

EXT. DESERT HIGHWAY NO LOOP - NIGHT
@cut to zone 1
@CHARACTER1 stands screen left in zone 1 AND CHARACTER 2 stands screen right in zone 1
@CHARACTER 1 faces right AND CHARACTER2 faces right
@CHARACTER2 starts idle
@zoom on 0 0 to 100%

CHARACTER1 (talk_exhausted)
I’m tired of running!

Hope this helps!

5 Likes
3

Thank you! I really appreciate it!

1 Like
4

No problem!

1 Like
5

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