Screenwriting 101: How to Write Action Blocks

One of the first errors I see when reading scripts by aspiring screenwriters is in the action blocks.

An action block is a visual description of what you see as soon as you enter a scene. Before any dialogue is written, an action block must set up the situation, or at least the visual atmosphere of what the reader is looking at.

The problem comes when writers write out these long and overly descriptive action blocks.

Like so…

When Hollywood producers and directors see long paragraphs like the one above, they automatically get turned off – especially if it’s full of unnecessary and boring description. It’s a classic amateur mistake and it’s one of the first things an aspiring writer should learn. Keep your action blocks short and to the point.

Stop trying to impress readers with how many adjectives you know, and how elegant your writing is. It’s a movie blueprint, not poetry.

By rule, I would keep your action blocks under four “short” sentences long. Only write what is absolutely needed. And remember, this isn’t a book. Action blocks should not describe a characters thoughts or talk about what kind of flowers grow in the front yard (unless it’s relevant to the story).

Here’s an example…

Obviously, writers have their own unique way of crafting a screenplay. My style is very short and to the point, to keep the reader moving forward and the story flowing. I’m not trying to force you to write a certain way. I’m just giving you a tip that will help make your work easier for some of those lazy studio executives to read. You want them to breeze through it with a smile on their face, not spend 5 or more minutes on one page trying to get through all your lengthy action blocks. Make it easy for them.

I hope that helps. Now, go get it done!