Script Details

[thehuanksta]

Hi i am new here

that i have thought that a movie script shouldn't be too
detailed or specific about the action, facial expressions,
and setting. We should give the directors, actors,
designers some room for imagination and creativity.

If i am right please let me know
if i am wrong please also inform and "why"

thank you

Kevin

and GOOD LUCK TO YOU ALL

[dpaterso]

I'll try replying again, since my reply got nuked from Script Pages. How rude.

Actually, you can answer these questions yourself by reading screenplays. If you haven't already done so, check out www.script-o-rama.com to name but one site.

Screenwriter Bill Martell runs a very informative site, www.scriptsecrets.net -- the daily tip changes, well, daily. As well as offering a whole range of manuals and courses for screenwriters, Bill also makes some his own produced screenplays available for reading/analysis. Go there and learn.

My personal take on being specific about actions and expressions is, use whatever you need to deliver information that the director and actors require -- while also telling a story that the script reader will be able to see visually. So, nothing is forbidden, but don't overdo the fancy stuff, write plainly and clearly but with energy, using action verbs.

-Derek

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My Web Page - naked women, bestial sex, and whopping big lies.

[thehuanksta]

Thank you very much man

after i posted that script page and found out that i putted in a wrong spot so i ya nuked it

thanks for the input again man

Kevin

[Wolfy262]

Let the director direct, and the actors emote.

Show what you intend through actions.

So, instead of telling us "Fred is frustrated" give us "Fred hurls his glass to the floor, kicks the dog and hurls himself onto the floor in a child-like tantrum."

Or something like that

[Deus Ex Machine]

It's not really an issue of allowing the actor to act or the director to direct, which you should. The real issue is that you need to remain focused on those elements which are necessary for understanding and advancing the story, which is why you don't waste time detailing the pattern on the wall paper or every facial expression a character makes.

Robert Towne said a script should read as if it is describing a film that is already made. This is excellent advice. Imagine you are sitting in a theater describing the movie as it happens to your blind friend sittign next to you. Obviously you wouldn't have time to describe the wardrobe or scenery in great detail otherwise you would fall behind the movie. You have to keep up so you are forced to focus on those things your blind friend will need to know in order to understand how and why the story is advancing.

Try reading some scripts and compare them to the films made from them. Note how they are different and similar. Note what the script focuses on, what details it includes and why.

www.weeklyscript.com/

www.screentalk.biz/

www.script-fix.com/pages/5/index.htm

HTH

[Queen Uhuru]

I tend to write in master scenes and include only essential scene description. I try to avoid CAMERA LANGUAGE as much as possible. In rewriting, I can cut way back on any fat content by eliminating all unnecessary wordage. If something is obvious on its face, it does not require extra detailed explanations or special camera shots or transitional language. Just tell the story through the character's words and actions as much as is possible to do.

[kojled]

thehuanksta

it's difficult to know which details to include and which to discard (or not write in the first place). this is something that comes naturally to a gifted writer. good luck


zilla