In soccer, a set piece refers to a play that starts from a dead-ball situation (free kick, corner, throw in) where the offense's play is "choreographed" in the absolute broadest sense of the word, and there's a real chance for someone to score a goal immediately or directly.

As a huge soccer fan, I have thought about this before. But the way you articulated it, it strikes me there is some crossover. A free kick, indirect kick or corner kick in soccer is a highlighted moment of increased intensity, everybody's attention drawn to the players lining up, creating a wall, the possible kickers discussing strategy, and then the kick. So, too, a set piece in a movie is a highlighted moment of increased intensity. Speaking of set pieces, here is David Beckham scoring for England against Greece to qualify for the WC2006: Now THAT'S a set piece!

Of course, in American Football (the game where they try *not* to use feet), every play is a set piece. It's the reason, ihmo, for the game's massive popularity, especially on TV. In fact, it's a game that in most cases is better on TV than live.

Thanks for this post, Scott! This information will be quite helpful with what I have going on right now. Btw, did you get my email?

Did get your email. Sorry. I'm way behind on communications. Hope to catch up this weekend.

It's posts like this that make you the best blogger in the history of the world!

Very interesting. I'm familiar with "business" as the actions characters are taking in the middle of a scene, for example, they are talking about their relationship while cleaning up a dead body. Or cleaning the dishes. So, cleaning up the body/dishes is the business, and the conversation is what the scenes really about. I think I read this in a directing book, but I'm not sure. :) In any case, this post is very useful, including the BOB. Thanks!

I'm familiar with "business" in that sense, too, from acting, where it's short for "stage business" -- the things you have to do with your hands so the scene isn't just people standing on stage talking. For example, all of the hairdressing business in the play (or film) version of Steel Magnolias. I wonder if the film industry term BOB is connected to the theatrical term. But I really popped into this post with a comment because A) I'm revisiting your posts on set pieces and B) I wanted to put in a request for more about trailer moments: I'd love an extended examination of what constitutes trailer moments, where to look for them in a script, and a checklist of the kinds of things to make sure you include so that your editors love you and have the means to cut a fantastically effective trailer.