Introducing a group

[bottomlesscup]

I'm writing a script wherein I need to introduce a group all at once.

Do you think it reads better when they are introduced in one big paragraph or over the course of the scene, as each does something of note?

[pantalone]

I'd say that would depend heavily on how your scene plays out. Are we walking in on a poker game, a bank heist, family dinner? Who are these people? Are they a group? functioning together, at odds with each other?

Certainly don't force anything. Don't make each person do something so the reader will have their name.

[bottomlesscup]

It's a motorcycle gang that rides up to the main character. Five guys, three of them become significant characters.

Since they all show up together, it feels a little clunky to me to introduce them all at once. On the other hand, I want the reader to be able to picture them.

I wouldn't make them do something just to introduce them.

I'm just going to write it both ways and see which one I like best.

Thanks.

[E J Pennypacker]

You could just put something like:

FIVE ROUGH BIKERS pull curbside and easy off their tricycles. HEAVY BIKER coughs up one - spits it out - and lands square on his shoe.

Or instead of HEAVY BIKER put BILLY MASON instead (and insert a little descrip).

EJ

[Deus Ex Machine]

I'd introduce them as a group then give the individual intros when they do or say something to distinguish themselves from the pack.

[nickj]

Go with Deus' suggestion. Keep in mind that how you introduce a character tells the reader a lot about how significant the character is. Readers have a hard enough time keeping track of characters (especially when your on the sixth script of the day with the third "Jack" in a row).