The task of each scene (and, accordingly, the task of the author in each scene) is to take one more step (or several) at once along the path of the story you are telling - to advance the plot, bring the characters to the next plot turn, tell them new information, help they better understand each other or themselves, change their motives or desires.
Instruction manual
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The goals of the characters are divided into external - general, global - in general, according to the plot of the film. And internal - the character’s goal specifically in this scene.
There are two options for working with the tasks and goals of the scene. You can define them in advance, creating a structure for the future scene. A useful tool when you need to quickly and clearly set the variables of a new scene and release your creative imagination.
The second option is to check ready-made scenes created on the wave of inspiration if you feel that “something is wrong with them”, as is often the case in the first draft drafts of the script.
Let's look at the example of two scenes of the episode "Appearance is deceiving" of the series "Once Upon a Time" (season 1, episode 12, script by Jane Espensson).
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The beauty and the Beast.
Dark magician Rumpelstiltskin and Princess Belle.
The external goal of the magician in the story is to find and return the son using his magical power (the result of the curse).
We can only guess about the external goal of Belle at the beginning of the proposed scene.
"Why am I here for you?" - Belle Rumplestiltskin asks at the beginning of the second act.
“It was dusty here, ” the magician replies, grimacing.
They both laugh, he sits next to her on the edge of the table, and an almost casual conversation ensues between the master and the maid.
At the beginning of the scene, the internal goals of the characters coincide - they both seek to know better the only creature with whom they have to share their shelter. And life.
The author’s task is to let them do this. Help them with this. Create a safe space for two, fill it with trust and understanding.
“You're not a monster, ” Belle says in the finale of the first half of the scene.
Then the heart-to-heart conversation is interrupted by the appearance of Gaston (turned into a rose after a second), and in the second half of the scene there is more lightness, humor and romance.
But the author’s global goal in this double scene (the task of the scene) is insidious and cruel:
He intends to lead Rumpelstiltskin to the thought: “This girl is dangerous for me and my long-term plans. She is able to remove the curse and deprive me of magic, although she herself does not know about it. I need to get rid of her.”
And untwist a chain of events that will ultimately lead this couple to a quarrel and separation, and bitter news for the magician about the death of Belle.
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The next scene is the so-called midpoint of the episode, the middle of the second act - the meeting of Belle and the Queen on the road.
The task of the scene (the task of the author) is to convey to Belle information about the "Kiss of True Love", which can remove the curse and turn the Beast back into a person.
The Queen’s external goal is to defeat Rumpelstiltskin, to seize his strength, to subjugate him.
The Queen’s inner goal in this scene is to make Belle an instrument of her plans, drowning in her the hope of returning Rumplestiltskin’s human face.
As for Belle, her external and internal goals coincide in the final of this scene - she wants to save her Monster.
At the beginning of the scene, her inner goal was to return to the castle. Contrary to the words of the magician in their previous joint scene - "I expect that I will never see you again."
Belle ignores his request, and the intention to return to the castle tells us about her external purpose even before Belle learns from the Queen about the kiss of love.
