Screenwriter's Compass

A mistake often made by young screenwriters, especially those who plan on directing the screenplay themselves, is over-specifying action.

Here's a bad example:

Only one of the three action descriptions is needed.  The last one.  The other two are gestures embedded in the dialogue.

There are two flaws in over-specifying.

1. The scene is harder to read.  Ironically.  The insertion of action after each line of dialogue breaks the flow of the scene.  The intent is to be clear, to make sure the reader sees what you want them to see.  The intent is to direct the actors on the page.  But the result is to distance the reader from the larger action/intent of the scene by micro-managing gesture.  In many cases, the readers imagination will fill in more effective actions than the details you plonk down.
2. The scene has no room to grow.  Interrupting the flow of the scene diminishes the chances of discovering new dialogue.

Share on Facebook