Chase Scene

[MattHBlain]

I'm writing a chase scene that involves the main character driving a stolen police cruiser while being pursued throughout the city by several other police cruisers. What difference should I use in describing the police cruisers in order to keep it simple, since they are all the same vehicles..
Also, I am having difficulty with the structuring of the chase itself. It is located throughout the streets of Manhattan and stretches for several minutes. I wanted to have several different shots included, such as within different cruisers, from a police helicopter, and from outside and inside of the cruiser that the main character drives. Any advice?
I have already written it but am not quite satisfied with the final result.

[dpaterso]

Just for fun's sake:

EXT. INTERSECTION - DAY

Matt's stolen police cruiser screeches around the corner on two wheels.

Pursuit cruiser #5 loses it and flips into a hot dog stand, scattering screaming civilians.

EXT. POLICE HELICOPTER ABOVE CITY - DAY

PILOT (V.O.)
We have a hot dog stand down,
repeat, hot dog stand down!

EXT. CITY STREET - DAY

Matt's stolen police cruiser zig-zags through traffic.

INT. MATT'S STOLEN POLICE CRUISER - DAY

Matt plays with the radio, all he can get is Country & Western guitars.

MATT
Dammit!

He shoots the radio! BLAM BLAM BLAM!

EXT. CITY STREET - DAY

Pursuit cruisers #6 and #7 close in behind Matt.

POLICE DISPATCHER (V.O.)
All units, subject has
been identified as MattHBlain.
He's a screenwriter!

INT. PURSUIT CRUISER #6 - DAY

The two cops look at each other, horrified by this.

COP
We're gonna need bigger guns!

They look ahead -- they react with terror--

EXT. CITY STREET - PURSUIT CRUISER #6 - DAY

A beer truck reverses out into the street and right into their path!

Pursuit cruiser #6 slams into the truck, shattering a million beer bottles.

INT. POLICE HELICOPTER ABOVE CITY - DAY

BRANNIGAN (INTO RADIO)
We need backup! This guy
has to be stopped!

EXT. ANOTHER INTERSECTION - DAY

A dozen pursuit cruisers flood in from all directions, joining in the chase.

INT. MATT'S STOLEN POLICE CRUISER - DAY

Matt glances in his rearview mirror. He sees what we see through the rear window, an armada of cop cars, a blaze of flashing lights.

MATT
Oh come on.

...Like that, maybe. Substitute actual street and intersection names for the generic labels, if desired. You've obviously got a big budget to play with so I won't mention that. :)

-Derek

[clockwork]

Wonderful, Derek. When's it coming out? :)

All I'd add and it's just a further explanation of what Derek's example is saying, is to keep things clear. If you describe the cop cars as cruisers, don't call them squad cars half a page later. Establish the terms you're going to use to keep things distinctly clear and then stick to it. Keep your action lines short and punchy.

You'll also note that while Derek's example doesn't mention camera placement or kinds of shots at all, you still can "see" the chase in your head so don't feel you need to concern yourself with telling us technical details - we'll be able to fill that stuff in ourselves.

[MattHBlain]

I appreciate the responses, they were better than I had expected :)
I sometimes try to say too much. I have rewritten it several times and have come out with the same conclusion. I believe the idea is great but cannot seem to piece it together quite the way I want to. Anyone interested in viewing it?

[gophergrrrl]

PILOT (V.O.)
We have a hot dog stand down,
repeat, hot dog stand down!


POLICE DISPATCHER (V.O.)
All units, subject has
been identified as MattHBlain.
He's a screenwriter!

INT. PURSUIT CRUISER #6 - DAY

The two cops look at each other, horrified by this.

COP
We're gonna need bigger guns!



Omg Derek that made me crack up! haha.. Great stuff!

[ManyAk]

Omg Derek that made me crack up! haha.. Great stuff!

AWESOME

[JulieJames]

I couldn't have said it better myself dpaterso!!! Bravo!!!