In this post, you will learn how to write and format a car accident in a script.
It’s not as hard as you think.
Most likely, if you came to this post, you’re probably overthinking it.
How do you write a car crash scene in a screenplay? You write a car crash scene by describing it visually, including only the essential details.
Example:
EXT. INTERSECTIONS
See, cars collide into each other. See a domino line of rear-end crashes. A motorcycle tumbling over.
INT. TRAFFIC CONTROL CENTER
The stymied workers watch helplessly.
This is an example from the movie the Italian job during a car chase scene.
Notice how simple it is.
The writer put just enough detail in the script to give the crew a visual representation of what’s happening.
Still, need more help?
Let’s look at some rules for action description.
The Rules for Describing a Car Crash in a Script
Car crashes need detail but not over baring detail.
Example:
If you want the car to flip. Write,
“the car flips.”
If the car tumbles down a hill, you can write.
“the car tumbles.”
1.) Stay Away From Adverbs
When describing anything in a screenplay, not just car never crashes explain how something happened on what exactly happened.
Example:
No need to write
“The car viciously flipped over.”
“The car quickly flipped tumbled down the hill.”
There isn’t a need.
You shouldn’t do it.
That’s how books are written. You’re no writing a book, you’re writing a screenplay for a director, producer, and actors.
Excess details like that make it harder to read and, thus, writing that is signs of an amateur.
2.) Write Car Crashes in an Active Voice
Active over passive always.
This crash is happening as we are reading it. It didn’t happen 5 minutes ago.
What does this sound like?
Example:
Active
CRASH, right into the car in front.
Passive
She CRASHED into the car in front.
They then CRASH into the car in front.
3.) Uppercase the Important Actions
Just like with sounds, you uppercase what’s essential in the script.
Example:
CRASHED, right into the house.
It reads faster doing this, and it lets the production staff know what they need to do when preparing for the film. They would think to themselves we have a car crash coming up we need the stunt double another car etc.
4.) Build a Word Around the Car
Yes, there was a car accident in your script, but what is happening around the area?
Think:
- What is the reaction from the people around them?
- People in the cars reaction
- The aftermath(If it’s not a continuous scene)
Include some, if not all, these things. This makes it real.
Let’ put it all together.
This is a video from John August, a professional screenwriter on how to write action better.
How to Describe the Sound of a Car Crash
You can use sounds on crucial parts of the script to make the car crash or anything more exciting.
Take a look at some of those sounds.
Crash Sounds
crash, bang, clash, wham, smack, whomp, thump, bump
Explosion Sounds
boom, bang, pop, kaboom
Horns
honk, beep,
Brakes
squeal, screech
Just make sure to uppercase all these when writing into your script.
Example of a Car Crash in a Screenplay
Now look at some cases from famous films.
See how Edgar wright writes this chase scene.
When the police car crashes he just writes
“Car crash, rear end.”
One lesson we can all take away from this is
K.I.S.S
Keep It Simple Stupid
Conclusion
Okay, so today you learned:
- How to write and format a car crash in a screenplay
- The rules for writing car crashes
Now it’s time to hear from you:
Did I miss anything?
What ways have you seen car crashes described?
I would love to hear your opinions in the comments below.