Friday, July 12, 2013

Screenplays: Action Paragraphs

Hello, Readers!

A few days ago I completed a critique for a script writer. Her action paragraphs were long and detail. They ran from 5 to 8 lines. Some were 4 lines. I wrote in the critique to condense her paragraphs to 3 line and less.

She sent me an email complaining that 3 lines takes away what she is trying to express. She wants the reader to know the details.

I sent her a long long reply explaining why it is important to keep the action concise.

Please please, writers, cut out all details of feeling and thoughts and descriptions of appearance of people and places. That is not for you to describe. Just tell the story as simple as possible.

If you’ve written 5 lines of action, reread it and ask yourself, “What are the important points I want the reader to come away with, and how can I express these points in 1 to 3 sentences?”

Another thing to do is leave out all adjectives and adverbs. Use present tense verbs only. Don’t tell every single movement a character makes. Example:

Bob reaches for the door. He twists the door knob. He pulls the door open. He walks out the door. He closes the door behind him. He slams the door.

That is so boring. Just say:

Bob leaves, slamming the door.

I will have to gave a special writing on this.


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